May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
1885 vintage Model 1876 serial number 54965 however, according to the accompanying Winchester Museum Letter actual ship date from the warehouse was August 18, 1897. Letter also documents .45/75 caliber, octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered stock with pistol grip, rare seven leaf express rear barrel sight and beach front sight. The letter fails to mention the beach front sight is a very rare windage adjustable model. The seven leaf rear barrel sight has rare inlaid platinum center lines. Letter further documents screw eyes for sling and a shotgun butt. The shotgun butt notation is an obvious mistake as the current stock has a crescent rifle style butt and totally original to the rifle. Factory assembly number 1833 along with XX has been observed on the inside lower receiver tang, assembly number 1833 also observed on inside top tang channel of the stock, inside the butt of stock, and inside toe of the crescent rifle style buttplate. Full blue finish with case hardened lever and hammer. Full length magazine tube. According to Herbert G. House's book "WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 CENTENNIAL RIFLE" 256 examples were built with checkered stock, 3 with XX wood, 3 with wind gauge front sight and 529 with seven leaf express rear sight. CONDITION: Excellent overall. 85-90% thinning original blue on barrel and magazine tube. Approximately 60-70% thinning original blue on the receiver. Approximately 40% original case color on hammer and strong traces on loading lever. Wood is excellent retaining 90% original high finished varnish showing moderate wear with scattered light dents and scratches. Action is tight and crisp. Bore is excellent with moderate abrasions. Overall a very desirable and rare Deluxe Model 1876 "Centennial" rifle. -MKS-