Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Rifle

Serial Number: 14950

Year of Manufacture: 1881

Caliber: .45-75 Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel 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"-notched slider on the ladder graduated 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 (there is nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is wear in the front of the comb which may indicate a previously installed tang sight. 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 with some scattered minor oxidation. The stocks are in Very Good-Fine overall condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. Strongest finish remains in the receiver. Other finish is scattered, interrupted with areas going to a light patina. There is some scattered light oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. The top of the barrel has a line of wear behind the rear sight, possibly from a previously installed elevator sight. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus 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: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory records letter indicating that this was produced as a rifle, octagonal barrel received in warehouse July 27 and shipped July 28 1881 on order 26877.

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 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 1882. Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers.

This is an nice example from 1881 chambered for the original .45-75 Winchester cartridge. Despite its age of more than 140 years, it retains a decent bore, strong mechanics and 40% original blue finish, a nice find for the collectors. 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 a Winchester collection, placed between an 1873 and an 1886. Please see our photos and good luck!