This is a desirable example of a Winchester Model 1876 Express Rifle with special order features. The rifle is complete with a 1965 dated Winchester Gun Museum letter that describes it as: rifle, express caliber, 1/2 octagon barrel 24 inch, casehardened, shotgun butt, set trigger and 1/2 magazine. The letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester factory on July 27, 1883. The barrel has a blue finish and the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, loading lever and smooth steel shotgun buttplate have a casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are straight grain black walnut with a varnish finish. The barrel has a dovetail mounted "Rocky Mountain" front sight with brass blade and dovetail mounted early pattern sporting rear sight with four-notch elevator. The second pattern receiver has a screw-fastened dust cover guide and dust cover with serrated rear edges. 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. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "50-CAL" just ahead of the receiver. The top of the dust cover is roll-stamped with the designation: "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 CAL 95 GRS." The bottom of the cartridge elevator is inscribed: "50-95". The upper receiver tang has a factory threaded hole for a tang sight and is roll-stamped: "MODEL 1876." The serial number is located on the lower receiver tang behind the lever latch.

Very good. The barrel has a smooth plum brown patina with traces of the original blue finish in protected areas. The receiver, loading lever and hammer have a mottled silver gray patina with strong traces of the original casehardened finish in protected areas. The loading gate has traces of the niter blue finish. The bottom of the cartridge elevator has a mellow, unpolished mustard yellow patina. The stock and forearm are also in very good condition with minimal handling wear and traces of the original varnish finish. The barrel and receiver markings are crisp. Mechanically fine. This is a very good, documented example of a very desirable Winchester Model 1876 Express Short Rifle with special order features.