Winchester Model 1876 Express Rifle with 22-inch barrel manufactured in 1880. The top of the barrel is stamped with the London dealer marking: "JAS KERR & CO / 54 KING WM ST. E.C." in two lines ahead of the rear sight, and London proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and on the top of the receiver. A round London Armory cartouche is stamped on the right side of the stock near the buttplate. This rifle is accompanied by a Winchester Museum letter that describes it as: "rifle, 50 Express, 22 inch round barrel, plain trigger, checkered stock, pistol grip, 1/2 magazine, shotgun butt" and "case hardened". The letter further states this rifle was shipped from Winchester on October 14, 1880, "along with 28 other rifles with the same specifications to the same order number". The Second Model receiver has a screw-fastened dust cover rail and dust cover with oval checkered finger guide. The top of the dust cover is engraved: "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/ .50 CAL. 95 GRS" in two lines. In addition to the London dealer stamp and proofs, the top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight and ".50 CAL." just ahead of the receiver. "50-95" is stamped in script numerals across the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876." in fancy letters. The serial number"10932" is stamped in tiny numerals across the lower tang behind the lever latch. The 22-inch round barrel has a sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and folding leaf rear sight marked "1876" at the top of the leaf. The barrel, magazine tip, dust cover, loading gate and shotgun buttplate are blue, and the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, fancy grade walnut with Winchester "Style W" checkering and a high polish piano finish. The bottom of the pistol grip has an ebony inlay.

Exceptionally fine. This rifle is all original and retains 75% plus of the original blue and 80% color casehardened finish. The barrel has most of the blue finish with a few scattered, minor, handling marks. The dealer marks and proofs are sharp. Most of the blue finish is present on the dust cover. The loading gate has 85% of the nitre blue finish. The shotgun buttplate retains 70% of the blue with light scratches and some scattered pitting. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer, trigger and lever have strong case colors with the balance silver gray patina. The highly figured, fancy grade walnut stock and forearm are both in fine condition. The stock and forearm have crisp checkering and retain close to 80% of the high polish piano finish. The lightly stamped London Armory cartouche is sharp. The stock and forearm have scattered, minor, handling marks. All Winchester Model 1876 Short Rifles are scarce; a deluxe Model 1876 Short Rifle chambered for the very desirable .50 Winchester Express cartridge is very rare and would be a stand-out piece in the most advanced collection. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.