The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle made its public debut in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where it garnered the title "The Centennial Model" in honor of the Revolutionary War. By all accounts the Model 1876 was "a revolutionary gun," as Winchester expert George Madis pointed out. Originally chambered in only .45-75 WCF cartridge, the Model 1876 offered a larger caliber for customers, particularly those out West, who believed .44-40 WCF lacked the stopping power for whatever came their way. With only 63,871 rifles and carbines manufactured between 1876 and 1897 surviving examples of the Centennial rifle are scarce, especially those in high condition. The Model 1876 was a working man's gun and thus surviving examples display all the character of hard use. This example however remains in excellent condition, worthy of the finest collection. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight marked "1876." The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/King's patent date marking ahead of the rear sight. The rifle properly lacks caliber markings. The second model receiver features a dust cover guide rail attached to the receiver with two screws and a dust cover with oval finger checkering. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873." The lower tang has the serial number. The hammer and lever are casehardened. The loading gate has a nitre blue finish. The remaining metal surfaces are blued. The forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate. The butt compartment contains a four piece cleaning rod.

Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The buttplate is mostly a smooth brown patina with traces of original blue. 60% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The loading gate retains 30% original nitre blue. The wood is very fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A Winchester Model 1876 Rifle in outstanding condition that is becoming difficult to find.