Make: Winchester
Model: 1876
Serial Number: 13680
Year of Manufacture: 1881
Caliber: .50-95 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26", 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 "V"-notch elevator Sporting sight dovetailed to the rear of 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 capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel shotgun buttplate. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are some small losses around the edges of the tangs. The fit is generally good, slightly shy at the buttplate. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered light surface erosion and wear. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: No finish remains.
Finish Originality: Surfaces appear cleaned or polished to white, but there is no evidence of a new finish being applied. There are matching assembly numbers on the tang, stock and buttplate.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and light pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0% of its metal finish. Surfaces appear to have been cleaned or polished to white. There is scattered minor surface oxidation and infrequent erosion. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good 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: Included is a Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating that this serial number was produced as a rifle, Express caliber, 26" round barrel, with plain trigger and Shotgun butt, received in warehouse November 4 and shipped December 14, 1881 on order 30359.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1876 was a heavier-framed rifle than the Model 1873, 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 1886.
Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers. This rifle is chambered in the original .45-75 cartridge, a cartridge designed specifically for the Model 1876. 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 is from 1881 and is chambered for the desirable .50-95 Express, the largest cartridge designed to fit the '76 model's action. This is a 2nd Model 1876 rifle that is in Very Good condition with no finish remaining, but retaining strong markings with limited oxidation. The rifle has strong mechanics. In addition to its Express chambering, the gun was special-ordered with a shotgun butt, retaining matching assembly numbers on its tang, stock, and buttplate. This 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!
