Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Rifle

Serial Number: 13094

Year of Manufacture: 1880

Caliber: .45-60 Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine - Only 258 76s with a "magazine shorter than standard" were produced.

Barrel Length: 28”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. 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 nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate’s finish has mostly muted with scattered light erosion, nicks and scratches. The stocks are in about Very Good overall condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Hardened

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Finish remains only in areas protected while assembled. The exposed surfaces have mostly worn to a mottled light to dark patina. There is scattered light surface oxidation and some minor surface erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. The case color has mostly muted save for some trace amounts in the protected areas. 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 Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The lever safety is present but does not engage, otherwise the action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. The dust cover slides on a rail which is screwed 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: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory letter and records search confirming 45/60 caliber, Round barrel, Plain trigger, ½ Magazine, Casehardened, and shipped/received date of November 1880.

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 honest example from 1889 chambered for the .45-60 Winchester cartridge. Especially given the rifle’s age, it’s in quite good shape with a great bore and 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 rifle was specially ordered with a ½ magazine. This example would be a great rifle to add to a Winchester collection, placed between an 1873 and an 1886.