No other Winchester name carries with it more appeal or notoriety than the "One of One Thousand." Since their inception in the 1870s, these rifles have been recognized as among the finest and most desirable of all Winchesters. However, the program for producing rifles advertised as among the most accurate ever made was short lived owing to the fact that these rifles were expensive and due to the fact the program suggested Winchester's regular rifles weren't accurate even though they were. These rifles, manufactured in both the 1873 and 1876 models are the crown jewel of Winchester collectors who have been fortunate enough to acquire one and sit at the top of the wish list for any collector still "in the hunt." With less than 200 "One of One Thousand" rifles ever made, even many of the most dedicated Winchester collectors do not have a "One of One Thousand" in their collection, let alone a particularly rare "One of One Thousand" 1876. This is a beautiful example of a highly desirable Winchester "One of One Thousand" Model 1876 rifle that was manufactured in 1880. This rifle is one of only fifty-five "One of One Thousand" rifles manufactured in the Model 1876 series over just four years and one of just twenty-two in .45-60 making it significantly rarer than its Model 1873 counterparts (136 recorded in total). The Model 1876 debuted for the U.S. Centennial and is also one of the rarer Winchester models in general with only 63,871 manufactured in 1876-1898. The 2021 factory letter lists this historic rifle in .45/60 with an 26 inch octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, casehardened finish, and as a 1 of 1,000. It was received in the warehouse on September 4, 1880, and shipped on September 11, 1880, in order 21393. This rifle is also recorded on page 89 of "The Story of the Winchester 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100 Rifles" by Lewis. The ledger information shows that this rifle was part of a shipment of four consecutive One of One Thousand rifles (10093-10096) in identical configuration shipped in 1880 at the very end of the "One of One Thousand" program. The rifle features inlaid silver bands at the muzzle and breech, scroll engraving by the dovetail mounted Rocky Mountain blade front sight, additional scroll engraving flanking the "One of One Thousand" inscription at the breech end, "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." followed by "CAL. 45-60" ahead of the adjustable sporting rear sight, full-length magazine, second model screw affixed dust cover guide rail and blued cover with knurled "thumb-print," casehardened frame with niter blued loading gate, casehardened hammer and lever, "MODEL 1876." on the upper tang, "45-60" on the brass cartridge elevator, adjustable single set trigger, "10094" on the lower tang behind the lever latch, "XXX 1019" on the left side of the lower tang, "number "92" stamped under the right side plate, and modern custom made replacement fancy grade walnut forearm and pistol grip stock (numbered "1019" internally) with multi-point checkering, horn grip inlay, sling swivel stud on the casehardened forend cap, sling swivel on the bottom of the buttstock, and casehardened rifle buttplate with brass compartment door (cleaning rod absent) and numbered "1019." Lever is also numbered "1019" internally". The original stock and forearm are also included. The stock has "1019" in the upper tang mortise and is marked "WINCHESTER 1876 #10094 1 OF 1000" on the butt.

Near mint as extensively professionally restored by Turnbull Restorations in 1996, with only minimal light handling and storage marks and light cycling wear. Most of the markings have been partially recut, except the serial number which is original, and areas of pitting are visible underneath the blue finish. The pitted bore was left alone. The replacement wood is also near mint. The refinished and recheckered original stock and forearm are very good with crisp checkering attractive figure, some minor slivers absent or repaired at the edges, and a few dings. Mechanically excellent. This rifle is an attractive representation of what these scarce rifles looked like when they left the factory. If anything, it is even nice in overall finish. You can imagine the awe and excitement of the original owner upon seeing the rifle for the first time, and the new owner will get the same experience when the gun arrives in their hands.