Manufactured as a third model with dust cover guide rail integrally machined as part of the receiver and a dust cover with rear serrations. The accompanying factory letter lists this Model 1876 as a carbine chambered in .40-60 caliber and then changed to rifle configuration with an octagon barrel in .40-60 caliber and plain trigger by the time it was originally shipped on November 19, 1886. It was subsequently frontier modified to short rifle with the barrel length nearly 19 inches. While the barrel retains an original factory "1886" marked folding ladder rear sight, a dovetail fixed buckhorn sight has been added during its time of use. The rear of the ladder sight rests on the base of the buckhorn sight. The period blade front sight has a sighting insert. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the ladder sight and "40-60 WCF" at the breech. "40-60" is marked on the cartridge elevator. The upper tang is stamped "MODEL 1876." The serial number is located on the lower tang. The straight grip stock has a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included). The legacy of the short rifle on the Western frontier is perhaps best summarized by the company that built the "guns that won the West." Winchester eloquently remarks: "A favorite of many hunters and shooters, the Short Rifle has always been fast to the shoulder, quick-swinging, lightweight and a pleasure to shoot. It was a favorite of the range rider who could snatch it from his saddle scabbard and fire faster than prairie lightning."

Good with tremendous character, and wonderful "as found" look. The rifle wears its scars and imperfections with pride, including a large divot on the left side of the wrist, otherwise the wood is also good with chipping along the grain and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A Model 1876 rifle with real wild West character from honest period use.