June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Manufactured 1884. Offered is one of the finest deluxe Model 1876 rifles extant. Features a 30" (extra 2") extra heavy octagon barrel; full magazine; Winchester sporting front sight; Winchester 1876 dated rear sight; case colored frame, nose cap, lever, hammer and buttplate; triple X walnut (stamped left side, upper tang); set trigger; blued dust cover; finely checkered pistol grip stock; ebony insert. The barrel and tube retain virtually all of their original deluxe factory blue finish with razor sharp legends and edges. The razor sharp edges of the octagon barrel have metal showing though with some light muzzle wear. Barrel band shows edge wear. Forend cap has pattern colors but is basically a dull grey. Frame and hammer retain 85-90% of the original case colors, as does hammer with just high edge wear and some minor age freckling. The lever is basically darkened out with some light gun metal grey at base. Wood is proud to metal with beautiful grain, extra finish, triple 'X' with sharp checkering with a few usual minor impressions. Buttplate retains approximately 60% original color; balance faded out. Nitre blue dust cover retains 90% with just edge wear. Loading gate retains approximately 90% Nitre blue. Assembly No. 2296 is stamped on the tang and inside forend. Strong, near mint rifled bore. Perfect action. A museum quality 1876 Deluxe in all respects. Factory research letter verifies 30" extra heavy octagon barrel, .45-60 with set trigger shipped on August 17, 1885. Does not mention the deluxe pistol grip stock. This is not uncommon and the wood is definitely matching and all matching assembly numbers including the pistol grip, bent lever and lower tang that has the same matching numbers on balance of gun which indicates gun left factory with pistol grip.