June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Special order rifle features half octagon-half round barrel, button half magazine, blue and case color finishes, and two piece walnut stocks with crescent buttplate. This rifle is documented with a letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center confirming the configuration and showing a shipping date of September 9th, 1885. This Third Model 1876 has integral dust cover rail. The Centennial Model Winchester was the companies first successful endeavor into the big bore and more powerful rifle industry. It was a major success with notable hunters, lawmen and explorers such as Theodore Roosevelt, Tom Horn and even the Northwest Mounted Police in Canada. This example is in outstanding condition with most all blue finish remaining and the case colored receiver retains over 80% vivid colors with balance faded to a silver. The stocks are equally fine with most all the varnish intact and having only slight wear and bruising. The bore and mechanics are very good and functioning well. This is truly a far better than average Third Model 1876 and would be difficult to find a better example.