Make: Winchester
Model: 1876 Rifle
Serial Number: 61976
Year of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: .40-60 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine and Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal
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 fixed "V"-notch when down and with a "V"-notch slider on the ladder 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, 5-piece cleaning rod in the compartment. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks and a couple of small touch-ups at edges. The left-front of the wrist has a couple of dings and a thin crack. There is a very small loss at the left edge of the top tang which has been sanded and finished-over. The wood is generally well fit to the metal, slightly shy at the toe. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered wear and light scratching. The stocks are in Very Good-Fine overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Most remaining finish is Original. The consignor informs us that the magazine tube was restored by Wyoming Armory
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and small scratches, mostly on the receiver. There is some good case color on the hammer with the lever mostly muted. The action shows light operational wear. The magazine tube, while restored, appears as Original. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, there are tool marks at some screw heads. The markings are generally clear, the barrel's caliber marking is shallow, but with sharp edges. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a five-piece cleaning rod stored in the buttstock and a Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating this serial number was applied September 11, 1889, produced as a Rifle, caliber .40/60, Octagon barrel, Set Trigger, received in Warehouse and shipped October 18, 1889 on order 4056.
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 pistol caliber 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. Additionally, Theodore Roosevelt carried one on his early hunting expeditions in the Dakota Badlands, and one was found in the possession of Apache warrior Geronimo after his surrender in 1886.
This is a gorgeous example of an 1876 Rifle with a single set-trigger. The rifle has good mechanics with a more than decent bore and retains the great majority of its original blue finish. The stocks show quite light wear for its age of nearly 140 years. This is a wonderful rifle that will make a nice addition to any collection, especially one focused on Winchester lever guns. Please see our photos and good luck!
