May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
The Winchester Model 1876 lever action rifle is commonly referred to as the "Model 1876 Centennial Rifle" due to it being developed during America's 100 year celebration of independence. This new model Winchester made its introduction at America's first "Worlds Fair" held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during May 10, 1876 through November 10, 1876 called, the "CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION". The Winchester Model 1876 rifle began production in April of 1876 with the first guns being finished during May 1876. First year production was less than 1,430 guns total. This example, serial number 79, was undoubtedly manufactured during the first year, however, Winchester museum records show it did not ship from the Winchester warehouse until August 01, 1877. Serial number 79 has all the features of the first guns made, including an open chamber with no provisions for a dust cover, commonly known as an "Open Top". The iconic high hump hammer, and a thick toe on the rifle-style buttplate. No caliber markings, as the first guns were all chambered in .45-75 WCF. Serial number 79 has a 28" full octagon barrel with a full-length magazine tube. Finished blue with a case hardened loading lever and hammer. Rocky Mountain style German silver blade front sight and a fold-down ladder rear sight graduated to 1,000 yards. Plain straight grain walnut stock and forearm. Rifle-style butt with steel crescent buttplate. Accompanying the rifle is a Winchester Museum Letter dated July 7, 2021, signed by Jessica Bennett, Records Specialist. Letter documents configuration. Received in the warehouse on July 17, 1877, and shipped from warehouse on August 1, 1877 on order number 9660. CONDITION: Very fine, with a clean grey-brown patina overall. Traces of original blue along bottom of the barrel and the magazine tube. Wood is fine overall showing modest wear, has been lightly sanded with a couple minor hairline stress cracks on front of forearm. Action is crisp. The bore is turning dark with strong rifling. The Model 1876 was the lowest production of all the early classic Winchester lever actions rifles with less than 64,000 total made. These early Open Top guns are very desirable and getting harder to find. -MKS-