Manufactured in 1878, 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. This example is a Second Model, with dust cover guide retained by two screws and a dust cover with checkered "thumbprint" grip. The round barrel is marked with the two-line Winchester address/King's patent marking. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings, as the only caliber initially offered for the Model 1876 was .45-75 W.C.F. The upper tang is marked with the model designation, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and "1876" marked folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
Very good plus, retains 30% of the original blue finish, faint patterns of the original case colors, and 20% of the original niter blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, truly showing the look of a gun that was treated as a working companion on the plains. The wood is also very good with a patch of filler to the right of the upper tang and some scattered minor handling marks, showing the signs of being maintained for many more years of use. Mechanically excellent.
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