Make: Winchester
Model: 1876
Serial Number: 12179
Year of Manufacture: 1881
Caliber: .45-60 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine and Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman's beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel, the bead is missing. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down and with a "V"-notch slider graduated from 200-1,000 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 capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a notable bruise on the top-left edge of the forend, two more on the bottom-rear, and some odd compressions on the left of the buttstock behind the grip. There are a few tiny losses at the front edges of the wrist with a repaired loss at the bottom-front corner on the left. 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 mottled light surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Hardened Lever and Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with finish remaining in protected areas and around raised features. There is a little finish remaining on the sideplates. There is scattered light surface oxidation and infrequent minor surface 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 Winchester Factory Records letter indicating that this serial number was produced as a rifle, 45/60 caliber, octagon barrel, with set trigger, received in warehouse February 26 and shipped February 28, 1881 on order 24409.
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 in .45-60 Win., a cartridge designed specifically for the Model 1876 rifle by shortening the .45-70 cartridge to fit the '76 model's action. This is a 2nd Model 1876 rifle that is in Very Good condition with about 10% of its original finish remaining. The rifle has strong mechanics. Despite its age, and almost certainly exclusive use with black powder, the bore is still fairly strong on this example. This would be a great rifle to add to a Winchester collection, placed between tos and good luck!
