Manufactured in 1885, this is an excellent example of a Third Model 1876 rifle with the dust cover guide rail integrally machined to the receiver. Blade front sight and adjustable folding ladder rear sight. Ahead of the rear sight on top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S- REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT/ KING'S- IMPROVEMENT- PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.", "CAL 45-60" is marked at the breech, and the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "45-60". The upper tang is marked "{MODEL 1876}", and the serial number appears on the lower tang. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel end cap and steel crescent buttplate with compartment, which includes a four piece cleaning rod. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, caliber, round barrel, plain trigger, that it was received into the warehouse on October 28, 1885, and shipped to order number 5502 on April 5, 1886.

Very fine overall. 80% of the original blue finish remains on the barrel, which shows some light spotting and the magazine tube has a smooth deep brown patina. The forearm cap is a mix of original blue finish and smooth gray and brown patina. There is some thinning, edge wear and light spotting on the receiver which retains 70% original blue. The upper tang has some handling wear and the blue has aged to a brown patina. The loading gate has 70% of the fiery niter blue. The hammer and loading lever show 70% of the original vivid case colors. The buttplate has a mottled brown patina with some minor pitting on the toe. The wood retains much of the original finish. There is a small sliver of wood is missing from the upper left side of the wrist, and overall there are some minor dents and dings. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. This would be a fine addition to any advanced Winchester collection.