The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle made its public debut in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where it garnered the title "The Centennial Model" in honor of the Declaration of Independence. By all accounts the Model 1876 was "a revolutionary gun," as legendary Winchester expert George Madis pointed out. Originally chambered in only .45-75 WCF cartridge, the Model 1876 offered a larger caliber for customers, particularly those out West, who believed .44-40 WCF lacked the stopping power for whatever came their way. Only 63,871 were made c. 1876-1898. The model was fairly quickly supplanted by the Model 1886, but the Model 1876 has that classic early Winchester appeal with its side plates, dust cover, toggle link action, and combination of blued and casehardened metal. Surviving examples of the Centennial rifle are scarce, especially those in high condition. Even rarer are deluxe Model 1876s in outstanding condition. The Model 1876 was a "working gun" when a powerful rifle was still highly valued on the wild Western frontier and customers were generally not inclined to spend extra money on deluxe features. Surviving examples display all the character of hard use. This deluxe example, however, bucks the trend and remains in excellent condition, having the appearance of just coming off the production floor. This stellar deluxe Model 1876 is certainly worthy of the finest and most advanced Winchester or lever action collection. The rifle was manufactured in 1882, when a powerful rifle would have still been highly valued on the wild Western Frontier. It has the desirable casehardened, Second Model receiver with the dust cover guide retained with two screws and a dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. Winchester expert George Madis notes that only one out of every nine Model 1876s received a casehardened finish. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight marked “1876.” The top barrel flat has the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “CAL. 45-60” at the breech. The caliber marking is repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator: "45-60." The stock was not removed to check assembly numbers out of respect for the outstanding, rare condition. The forearm and straight grip stock are original factory deluxe grade walnut featuring fine “H” style checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a blued shotgun type steel buttplate. The accompanying factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on March 24, 1882 and shipped the same day and confirms the 26 inch octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered stock, casehardened frame, and shotgun butt.

Excellent. The barrel and magazine tube retain 97% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance along with some rub wear on the magazine near the muzzle. The buttplate retains 97% plus original blue finish. 98% original blue finish remains on the dust cover. 97% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. Overall the original case colors are striking, retaining nearly the same vibrant level of colors it had the day it left the factory. The receiver retains 98% plus original case colors. The hammer, lever, and forend cap retain 95% plus original case colors. The wood is excellent plus with a few scattered minor handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Winchester Model 1876s in deluxe configuration are elusive and examples in superb condition, like this one, are nearly unheard of. This Model 1876 is certainly one of the finest deluxe examples we have had the honor of cataloging, and it will be a standout piece even in the most advanced Winchester collection.