Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Carbine, North West Mounted Police

Serial Number: 45320

Year of Manufacture: Shipped April 18, 1885

Caliber: .45-75 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 22" Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a correct NWMP variant of the "Spanish meter" folding ladder-style sight screwed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. The forend is a carbine-style, which for the Model 1876 is a nearly full-length forend, with a spring-clip secured barrel band and a steel nosecap. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb, and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. The forend has a crack in the left-front. There is a "N.W.M.P." banner cartouche on the right of the buttstock and the belly is stamped "LOF 116". The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has mostly worn to white with some scattered discoloration from oxidation. The stocks are in about Very Good overall condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates about 6/10.

Overall Condition: This carbine retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is some finish remaining in protected areas and around raised features. Most of the exposed surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some scattered minor surface erosion, mostly on the receiver. There are some scattered nicks and light scratches. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this carbine is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this carbine. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This carbine comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating its production as a Carbine, received in warehouse April 17 and shipped April 18, 1885 on order number 20202.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1876 was a heavier-framed rifle than the Model 1873, and was the first to be chambered for full-powered centerfire rifle cartridges, as opposed to rimfire cartridges or pistol caliber centerfire rounds. While similar in design to the 1873, the 1876 was actually based on the prototype 1868 lever-action rifle that was never commercially produced by Winchester. It was introduced to celebrate the American Centennial, and earned a reputation as a durable and powerful hunting rifle that was also used by the Canadian North West Mounted Police and the Texas Rangers. Additionally, Theodore Roosevelt carried one on his early hunting expeditions in the Dakota Badlands, and one was found in the possession of Apache warrior Geronimo after his surrender in 1886.

This rare Antique Winchester Model 1876 3rd Model Saddle Ring Carbine was made in 1885, and purchased by the Canadian North West Mounted Police. The NWMP Model 1876 Carbines are among the most sought-after variants of the Model 1876, and this one has a little more history. In addition to its NWMP banner, the stock is marked "LOF 116" in the belly, indicating that it was among the rifles acquired by the Legion of Frontiersmen. Somewhere between the Boy Scouts and the National Guard, the LOF was a sort of militia organization formed in 1905 to protect the British Empire in case of invasion. It was founded by a former NWMP constable and veteran of the Boer War, Roger Pocock. In 1916, during WWI, a Canadian branch of the LOF called the Edmonton Battalion Reserve Militia acquired a number of the 1876 Carbines from the NWMP .

Any Winchester Model 1876 Carbine would be a welcome addition to a collection, but the North West Mounted Police carbines are perhaps the most desirable of any and all and the connection with the Legion of Frontiersmen makes it an even more interesting find. Please see our photos and good luck!