September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
Extremely rare Winchester Model 1876 "Open Top" lever action rifle made by Winchester Repeating Arms in 1876, one of the rare first 3000 made with this open top feature. Standard 28" full octagon barrel with standard sights, Winchester address over King's Patent, and British proofs at left breech in .45-75. Standard Winchester bright blue finish with case-hardened lever and hammer, plain trigger, and unmarked brass elevator with a standard full magazine. Receiver nicely engraved in script "LONDON ARMOURY/Ja KERR & Co/54 KING WILLIAM St. LONDON". Standard plain walnut stocks with blued nose cap and case-hardened trap buttplate with original 5-piece steel cleaning rod. Cody Reseach confirms the configuration and manufacture date. CONDITION: 90% fading original barrel blue with edges turning silver and muzzle showing some case wear. 85% + magazine tube blue starting to fade to a silvery patina. 90%+ original action blue with small scrape-like marks at carry point. Nice screws; it appears that most have never been turned. The brass elevator has faded to a golden patina. Case-hardened parts have fading visible colors with balance fading to a smoky gray. Wood has 90% original finish, with the forearm showing two very noticeable old gouges near the left and right fronts of the forearm, possibly from some sort of rest. Buttstock has some dings in the wrist area and other noticeable bumps and bruises. Bright and shiny bore with sharp rifling and great mechanics. A great 1876.
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