GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
OUTSTANDING WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1876 31678 45-60 Cal 45-60. Standard grade rifle with 28" oct bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and 1876 marked rifle ladder rear sight. Top flat of bbl has standard 2-line address with caliber marking over the chamber area. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. Top tang is marked "MODEL 1876" and carrier is marked with the caliber. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate that has a trap. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum serial number research request sheet which identifies this rifle in caliber 45-60 with oct bbl, plain trigger, received in warehouse January 30, 1883 and shipped Oct 8, 1883. The Model 1876 was Winchesters first effort for a large bore repeating firearm and as such preceded the Marlin Model 1881. It was very popular on the American frontier for both hunting & self protection. The large calibers were capable of taking virtually any North American big game including Elk, Moose and Bears. Rifles of that era usually saw very hard service often with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. The 45-60 caliber was very popular in its day and is still a popular cartridge for cowboy action shooters. PROVENANCE: The F.P.L. Mills Collection #73 on his estate inventory; The renowned Eldon Owens Collection, James D. Julia Auctions October 2014 Lot 468. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl retains 95-96% strong orig blue with only light sharp edge wear and some minor surface etching just forward of the forearm. Magazine tube retains about 97-98% strong orig blue and the forend cap 88-90% orig blue with the loss areas flaked to a light patina. Receiver retains about 95% strong orig blue with light sharp edge wear and some light flaking with a series of small scratches on the right sideplate. Hammer retains strong, bright case colors and the lever dark case colors. Buttplate retains about 75-80% thinning orig blue. Stock has a small gouge in the left side with a few other light nicks & scratches. Forearm has a series of small bruises & scratches. Buttstock retains about all of its orig oil finish and the forearm about 50% orig finish showing wear over the carry point. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 51772-3 JRL (12,500-22,500)