Make: Winchester
Model: 1876
Serial Number: 1432
Year of Manufacture: 1877
Caliber: .45-75 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine and Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal
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 semi-buckhorn "V"-notch Sporting sight dovetailed into the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and thick-toe steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The stocks have evenly scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, some of which have damaged or removed portions of the surface wood. There are spots of discoloration and residue. There are no chips or cracks. 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 and spots of solid erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Hardened Lever and Hammer
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 7% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is on the bottom flats of the barrel with a little in well protected areas or around raised features. Most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with scattered patches of surface erosion. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a patch of notable nicks on the right of the barrel about mid-way between the forend cap and magazine bracket. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable 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: Included is a copy of the Winchester records ledger page with this rifle's entry, indicating it was produced as a rifle with octagonal barrel and set-trigger.
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. This is a 1st Model 1876 rifle that is in Very Good condition with about 7% of its original finish remaining with strong mechanics.
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 quite early in production, when the rifles were produced without dust covers. The installed cover indicates that the rifle was returned to the factory to have a cover or "lid" installed. Its matching assembly numbers on the receiver stock and buttplate as well as the included print of the factory records ledger make it a nice specimen for collectors. Per consignor: This rifle was found in the closet of an old home in Frenchtown, Montana and appears to have been untouched, never having been cleaned or sanded. During its period of use, the front sight was replaced with part of a silver coin. 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!
