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, and toggle link action. Surviving examples of the Centennial rifle are scarce. The example offered here was manufactured in 1880, when a powerful rifle would have still been highly valued on the wild Western Frontier. It has a Second Model receiver with the dust cover guide retained with two screws and a dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight (inserted backwards marked "APRIL 17, 1877") and an elevation adjustable rear sight marked "Freund." The story of the Freund brothers as German immigrant gunsmiths traced its path westward much like the expanding railways and settlers seeking opportunity, as they set up temporary shops along their route. Eventually the brothers settled permanently, with shops in Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. From those two shops they became known for retailing and improving mostly single shot rifles, particularly the Sharps Model 1874, making a repeater with their markings quite scarce. The Freund shop sold rifles to the likes of Philip Sheridan, George Cook, and Theodore Roosevelt. The Model 1876 found popularity on the frontier due to its larger and more powerful chamberings, most of which were capable of dispatching the most dangerous threats the American west had to offer, animal and human alike. 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 forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.

Very good, retaining 40% faded original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The magazine and ferrule have a series of tiny dings and some light pitting most visible on left side. Traces of original nitre blue finish remain on the loading gate. Some patterns of original case colors remain on the lever and hammer. The wood is also very good with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.