Make: Winchester
Model: 1876
Serial Number: 6851
Year of Manufacture: 1878
Caliber: .45-75 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 28", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down and with a "V"-notch slider graduated from 200-1,000 yards. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are some minor losses and short cracks around the edges of the wrist. The wood is generally straight-grain with some more attractive figuring toward the butt. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light-moderate patina with scattered surface oxidation, nicks and scratches. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Hardened Lever and Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 12% of its metal finish. Most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with finish remaining in protected areas and around raised features, strongest on the loading gate and the bottom of the receiver around the trigger. There is scattered light surface oxidation and infrequent minor surface erosion. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1876 was a heavier-framed rifle than the Model 1873, the first to be chambered for full-powered centerfire rifle cartridges, as opposed to rimfire cartridges or handgun-sized 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. Theodore Roosevelt used one on his early hunting expeditions in the West and one was found in the possession of Apache warrior Geronimo after his surrender in 1886.
Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers. This rifle is chambered in the original .45-75 cartridge, a cartridge designed specifically for the Model 1876. The 1876 Winchester was only made for 21 years, with a total of about 63,871 made in rifle, carbine and musket formats, with the result that all are collectable.
This example is from fairly early in production, made in 1878. It is chambered for the original .45-75 cartridge with a 28" round barrel. The rifle retains some original finish with a better bore than most observed examples and strong mechanics. This would be a great rifle to add to a Winchester collection, placed between an 1873 and an 1886. Please see our photos and good luck!
