The .50-95 Winchester Express was the largest caliber available for the Model 1876 and proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Model 1876 rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. The Model 1876 in .50 Express was only produced in limited numbers, especially when compared to the smaller calibers. Today Model 1876 .50 Express Rifles are a highly sought after Winchester collectible. High condition examples are proving difficult to find. This high condition example is made even rarer and more desirable by being in deluxe configuration with additional special order features such as factory engraving, matted barrel, and button magazine. The accompanying factory letter lists the rifle with a round matted barrel in express caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, "sights as per order," shotgun butt, casehardened frame, and factory engraving at an extra cost of $1.50. The letter confirms the rifle was received in the warehouse on February 16, 1882 and shipped the next day to order number 30984 and lists three return dates with factory changes that match the rifles configuration. These factory return dates are listed as follows: "September 7, 1883, Order number 6701-To pistol grip, Rifle butt;" July 30, 1885, Order number 21877-To Shotgun butt, Octagon;" and "Shipped from warehouse on January 11, 1889, Order number 17360" (presumably with a round barrel). Factory matted Winchester barrels are rare. According to noted Winchester expert and author George Madis, "Matted barrels were produced in very limited numbers. Early matting was applied by hand in some cases." The matting on this Model 1876 is the early style cross checking and covers the entire top portion of the barrel. The two-line Winchester legend remains legible ahead of the rear sight. The right side of the barrel at the breech is stamped "50 CAL" upside down. The front and rear sights are period additions. The dovetail front sight uses a brass blade, and the rear sight is a folding large buckhorn type with a opened triangle cut in the center. The light factory engraving consists of floral scrollwork flourishes on the forend cap, lever, and hammer. The casehardened frame is a second type featuring a dust cover guide rail attached to the receiver with two screws and a dust cover with serrations at the rear. The dust cover is marked "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/50 CAL 95 GRS." The cartridge elevator is marked "50-95." Although the button magazine is not listed in the factory letter, it is most certainly factory. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876." The lower tang has the serial number below the lever catch. The barrel is blued. The loading gate has nitre blue finish. The receiver, hammer, lever, and forend cap are casehardened. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe "XXX" walnut. The pistol grip has a horn insert. The stock is fitted with a checkered hard rubber shotgun buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "XXX 261 S." The stock inlet is blank.

Fine. The barrel retains 40% original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The dust cover and dust cover guide retain 20% original blue finish. Traces of original nitre blue remain on the loading gate. The frame retains 50% plus original case colors mostly in the sheltered areas. Patterns of case colors remain on the lever and forend cap. The hammer retains 30% original case colors. The wood is fine with a barely noticeable filled chip at the upper tang at the frame juncture, numerous handling marks, softened forearm checkering, and scattered blemishes in the overall crisp pistol grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. This factory engraved Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 rifle in highly desirable .50 Express with additional special order features makes it possibly a one-of-a-kind rifle and will be a welcomed addition to any lever action collection.