Sometimes referred to as the Centennial Model, this 50 Express Winchester Model 1876 rifle was manufactured in 1881. Second Model with the dust cover rail secured to the top of the receiver with two screws. The top barrel flat is marked "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." at the breech. The top of the dust cover is marked "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 CAL. 95 GRS." and the bottom of the cartridge elevator is marked "50-95". The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876." and the serial number is marked on the rear of the lower tang. Dovetailed German silver blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight graduated to 100 yards and marked "1876" at the top. Full length tubular magazine, blue finish with casehardened hammer and lever and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel shotgun buttplate. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, 50 express caliber, octagon barrel, plain trigger, shotgun butt, that it was received in the warehouse on April 21, 1881 and shipped out of the warehouse on August 14, 1883 with 4 other guns with the same specifications to the same order number.

Exceptionally fine. The rifle retains 80% plus bright original blue finish with the balance thinning to a smooth plum patina and flaking of blue on the dust cover. 50% of the original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. There are a few areas on the barrel and magazine tube of cleaned dark oxidation. The hammer and lever retain 50% of the original case colors with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The buttplate has a mottled gray patina with a few areas of minor oxidation. The wood is very fine with much of the original oil finish, raised grain and some scattered minor dings and dents. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent.