This is both a very fine and rare example of a First Model Winchester 1876 open top rifle. These early production guns feature no dust cover hence the name "open top". Only 3000 of these First Model rifles were produced before a dust cover was installed making them extremely scarce. Winchester production of the Model 1876 was extremely limited in comparison to the other models of this time and only a mere 66,000 were manufactured making them rare and desirable in any condition or variation. The First Model represent the most desirable collector configuration outside of the "1 of 100" and "1 of 1000". Accompanied by a factory letter which confirms this rifles configuration, and states "Rifle, Octagon Barrel, Set Trigger. Received in the warehouse February 21, 1878 and shipped from the warehouse on July 6, 1878". The lower tang is numbered "1625", which is well within the First Model range, making this a second year production rifle. The underside of the brass cartridge carrier is inscribed with the original owners initials "AJC". The initials are certainly factory quality work and if not done in the factory they are of a professional, and period, jeweler's hand. Rocky Mountain German silver front sight with folding graduated to 1,000 yards rear sight. The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S - REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT. / KING'S- IMPROVEMENT - PATENTED - MARCH 29, 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight, there is no caliber markings on the barrel or carrier. The upper tang is marked with the early style "MODEL 1876" . Blue barrel, magazine tube and frame. Casehardened hammer, lever, and crescent steel buttplate, with cleaning rod in the butt trap. Finished with a smooth oiled forearm and straight grip stock.