Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Rifle

Serial Number: 63511

Year of Manufacture: 1888 

Caliber: .45-60 Winchester 

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. / -KING’S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.-” forward of the rear sight, the top-rear of the barrel is marked "45-60 W.C.F.". The lower tang is marked “63511” at the rear. The upper tang is marked “MODEL. 1876.”. The bottom of the carrier is marked “45-60”.

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 an 1876 folding elevator-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down and with a "V"-notched slider on the ladder, graduated from 2-10 in hundreds of 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 a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with sliding door storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment). The stocks have several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is discoloration at most edges where the wood meets metal. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has worn to white with scattered oxidation and erosion. The stocks are in Very Good overall condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Remaining finish is mostly in protected areas and around raised features. There is some other scattered finish mottled by areas that have worn and gone to a light patina. There is some residue build-up around the edges of the stocks. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches and some spots of surface erosion. There are a few more notable nicks on the barrel. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks at some screws. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The dust cover is on a rail integral to the frame, typical of the 3rd Model. The hammer has a half-cock position, there is a lever-safety and there is a lever-lock. 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 design similar to the Model 1873, and was the first to be chambered for full-powered centerfire rifle cartridges, as opposed to rimfire cartridges or handgun-sized centerfire Octagonals. 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 1888. Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers.

This rifle's 28" barrel is chambered for the .45-60 Winchester cartridge, designed for the Model 1876 rifle and introduced in 1879 as a slightly lighter chambering for the model. This example is in Very Good condition as Antique, showing fairly light wear for its age. About 15% of its original metal finish remains, the bore has some erosion and pitting, and the mechanics are still strong. It comes from fairly late in production by serial number, within the last few hundred produced. That said, it was made in 1888 and production continued through 1898, but was incredibly low volume due to the new Model 1886. 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 would be a great rifle to add to a collection, placed between an 1873 and an 1886. Please see our photos and good luck!