This Winchester Model 1876 Sporting Rifle was manufactured c. 1881. This Third Model rifle has the integral dust cover guide rail and dust cover with serrated rear edges. The rifle has a 28-inch octagon barrel and full length magazine. The barrel has a sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a folding leaf rear sight graduated to "10" and marked "1876" at the top of the leaf. A folding, graduated, "Mid-Range Vernier Peep Sight" with early style beveled base is mounted on the receiver tang. The crescent buttplate has a sliding brass butt-trap door. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER"S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW. HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. "CAL. 45-60" is roll-stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. "45-60" is roll-stamped in script numerals across the brass cartridge elevator. The serial number is roll-stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and the rear tang screw. The barrel and magazine have a blue finish. The forearm cap, receiver, dust cover and bolt are bright blue. The loading gate is fiery niter blue. The hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are casehardened. The straight grain walnut stock and forearm have a semi-gloss varnish or oil finish.