Presented here is a highly attractive, high condition special order Winchester Model 1876 Rifle. The Model 1876 was the first Winchester lever action rifle offered in calibers suitable for hunting big game. The larger caliber Model 1876 was popular among those in the west who believed .44-40 wasn't quite enough stopping power for whatever they might encounter. Deluxe variations of the Model 1876 are always in demand, especially in high condition like this example. With only 63,871 rifles and carbines manufactured between 1876 and 1897 surviving examples of the Centennial rifle are scarce, especially deluxe variations. The Model 1876 was a working man's gun and thus most customers did not see the need to spend additional money on special order features. The accompanying factory letter states the rifle had a octagon barrel in 45-60 caliber, checkered pistol grip stock, plain trigger and casehardened receiver when it was shipped on October 6, 1882. There is evidence that the rifle was originally intended for an order that requested Lyman sights and half magazine. These two features have been crossed out in the ledger along with an earlier shipping date of September 16, 1882. This "Second Model" 1876 rifle has a screw fastened dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated finger guide along the rear edges. It has color casehardened receiver, hammer, trigger, lever, forearm cap and crescent buttplate. The barrel and full length magazine are blue. The dust cover and loading gate are fire blue. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, fancy grade walnut with Winchester "Style H" checkering and oiled piano finish. The bottom of the buttplate has a factory horn inlay. The barrel has the standard sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and folding leaf rear sight graduated to "10" and marked "1876" at the top of the leaf. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped. The buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor. The top of the barrel has the two-line address/patent dates ahead of the rear sight and "CAL. 45-60" at the breech. "45-60" is in script numerals across the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. The first style model designation "MODEL. 1876." is in fancy letters on the upper tang. The serial number is stamped in small numerals across the lower tang between the lever latch and the tang screw.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 85% plus original blue finish with some edge wear at the muzzle and a few minor patches of age spotting. The dust cover and loading gate retain 80% original blue finish. 50% original color casehardened finish remains. There are small scattered spots of shallow pitting visible on the side plates. The stock and forearm are fine overall with light to moderate wear and oiled piano finish dulled slightly with age. The checkered panels remain relatively sharp overall. The horn pistol grip inlay has faded and has some flaking around the edges. Mechanically excellent. This is a highly attractive, original example of a rare deluxe Winchester Model 1876 lever action rifle.