The factory letter confirms this rare early production rifle was received in the warehouse on August 24, 1877, and shipped on August 31 as a rifle with an octagon barrel and plain trigger. This early has the distinctive first model "open-top" receiver with no dust cover. The dust cover was first offered on the Model 1876 around serial number 3000. The extractor has the low, rounded top found on early rifles not fitted with dust covers. The bolt has the brushed face found on early rifles. The rifle has a 28-inch, full octagon barrel chambered for the .45-75 W.C.F. cartridge; this cartridge was the only chambering initially offered for the Model 1876 rifle. The barrel has a dovetail mounted front sight and standard sporting style folding leaf rear sight. The rear sight leaf is numbered from "2-10," and the top lacks the "1876" marking found on later production rifles. The rifle lacks the trigger block on the lower tang found on rifles above serial number 400, and the early style loading lever has a rounded front loop. This loop was utilized since it was not required to depress and engage the sear block used on later production rifles. The early style loading port cover is secured with an inside screw; outside screws were utilized after serial number 400. The early style crescent buttplate has the long tang which extends into the stock and a sliding brass butt trapdoor. The rifle has a full length magazine. Factory sling swivels are fitted to the forearm cap and butt. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./ KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a rear sight and roll-stamped with the first style marking: "MODEL. 1876." in fancy letters. The serial number "167" is engraved in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and the rear tang screw. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap and receiver have the Winchester charcoal blue finish. The loading port cover is a fiery niter blue. The hammer, trigger, loading lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with a low-luster varnish finish.

Extremely fine. The barrel and magazine retain 90% of the original blue finish with some minor edge wear a few scratches. The barrel legend is extremely sharp. The front sight blade is missing. The sides of the forearm cap have some scuffing and finish wear. The forward edge of the receiver at the junction with the forearm shows light-moderate finish wear. The remainder of the receiver retains 85% of the original blue with some edge wear on the side plates and some scattered scratches and handling marks. The hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate retain 80% of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. The stock and forearm remain in very fine condition; nearly all of the original oil finish remains, and wear is limited to blue flaking off of the forend cap and handling marks located primarily on the right side. This is a really exceptional example of one of the very first Winchester "Centennial Model" 1876 rifles manufactured. The combination of low serial number, rare early features, and exceptional original condition would make this the standout rifle in the most advanced Winchester collection.