Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Rifle

Serial Number: 10142

Year of Manufacture: 1880

Caliber: .45-60 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action Full-Length Tubular Magazine, Single Set-Trigger

Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a V-notch when folded down and with a V-notched slider on the ladder marked with graduations from 2-10. 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 a 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 some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. 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 worn to white or gone to a light patina in the face with a little finish on the tang. The stocks are in Very Good-plus overall condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color Hammer and Lever

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6-7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches with a cluster of scratches behind the rear sight and a line of wear on the left of the magazine behind the bracket. There is handling wear in the top tang, mostly gone to a light patina. There is finish wear on the magazine bracket. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including set-trigger. 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 Cody Firearms Records Office Show Search form which indicates the rifle was received in warehouse November 19, 1880, produced as a rifle chambered for .45-60 with octagonal barrel and set trigger. The rifle shipped March 17, 1881 on order 24750.

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. 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. Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers.

This is an attractive example from 1880 chambered for the .45-60 Winchester cartridge. It is in quite nice shape, especially given its age, retaining the great majority of its original finish, a decent bore and strong mechanics. The rifle has nice features for the collector including second-type serrated dust cover on a screw-mounted 2nd Model rail and a factory set-trigger. 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 would be a great rifle to add to even an advanced Winchester collection, placed between an 1873 and an 1886. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid!