Offered here is an attractive special order Winchester Model 1876 Rifle. It is a second model with the dust cover rail held in place by two screws and dust cover with finger grip serrations at the rear. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 26 inch half octagon barrel in .45-60 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, shotgun butt, checkered buttplate, and casehardened receiver. The factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on February 5, 1881, and shipped on February 11. The deluxe rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight, and a sporting tang sight with 4 inch staff. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "CAL. 45-60" at the breech. The caliber designation "45-60" is repeated on the cartridge elevator. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are "X" deluxe walnut. The pistol grip has an ebony insert, and the buttstock is fitted with a checkered steel shotgun style buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "X S 99." The stock inlet has the matching assembly number "99" along with the letter "S." The assembly number "99" also appears on the back of the buttplate. The larger caliber Winchester Model 1876 was popular among those in the West that believed .44-40 wasn't quite enough stopping power for whatever they might encounter. Deluxe variations of the Model 1876 are always in demand, especially in high condition like this example.

Fine. The barrel retains 80% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and some chemical cleaning on both sides of the barrel at the muzzle. The magazine tube assembly is a refinished replacement. 80% original blue finish remains on the dust cover. 40% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 60% original case colors with a couple patches of pitting. Traces of original case colors remain on the buttplate and lever. The hammer retains 80% original case colors. The stock is cracked in the pistol grip area, otherwise the reoiled wood is fine with some scattered minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.