Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Rifle

Serial Number: 12597

Year of Manufacture: 1880

Caliber: .45-60 Winchester Center Fire

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"-notched slider on the ladder. The ladder is marked with graduations from 2-10. The slider is a little bit loose on the ladder, the ladder has light play when folded down. 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 forend has been decorated with brass tacks along the sides and bottom-rear. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 gone to a light patina with some scattered light surface erosion. The stocks are in Very Good overall condition as custom-decorated Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in the bottom tang where protected by the lever, with a little in some well protected areas. Exposed surfaces have gone to a light patina. There is some scattered surface erosion. There are scattered nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around some screw heads, most notable around the sideplate screw. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The lever has some play in the closed position. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The dust cover slides on a rail which is screw-secured to the receiver. 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, 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 1880. Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers.

This is an example from 1880, chambered for the .45-60 Winchester cartridge. It's in decent shape for its age, retaining a little bit of original metal finish. The stocks have scattered light wear and the forend has been decorated with brass tacks. The mechanics are good. 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!