Winchester 1876 Centennial 3rd Model 28” .45-60 Lever Rifle 1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $4,527.00
LSB#: LSB260412PC017
Make: Winchester
Model: 1876 Rifle, 3rd Model
Serial Number: 52292
Year of Manufacture: 1886 / Antique
Caliber: .45-60 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 28”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade set between a base, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight, presenting a “V”-notch when folded down and with a “V”-notched slider on the ladder. The ladder is marked with graduations from 2-10. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate’s finish has mostly muted with scattered erosion, nicks and scratches. The stocks are in about Very Good overall condition as Antique.The forend has been sanded and refinished. The buttstock appears to be original.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish is fairly strong throughout with intermittent oxidation and freckling. The case color has mostly muted with some of the patterning visible through the oxidation. There is stronger case color in the protected areas. There is thinning on the leading edges. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. The dust cover slides on a rail which is integral to the receiver. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office letter confirming a manufacture date of 1886.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1876 was a heavier-framed rifle than the Model 1873, and was the first to be chambered for full-powered centerfire rifle cartridges, as opposed to rimfire cartridges or handgun-sized centerfire rounds. While similar in design to the 1873, the 1876 was actually based on the prototype 1868 lever-action rifle that was never commercially produced by Winchester. It was introduced to celebrate the American Centennial, and earned a reputation as a durable and powerful hunting rifle that was also used by the Canadian North-West Mounted Police and the Texas Rangers. Theodore Roosevelt used one on his early hunting expeditions in the West and one was found in the possession of Apache warrior Geronimo after his surrender in 1882. Unfortunately, the 1876 lost popularity when the Model 1886 was introduced in heavier calibers.
This is a beautiful example from 1886 chambered for the .45-60 Winchester cartridge. Especially given the rifle’s age, it’s in quite good shape with a beautiful bore and strong mechanics, retaining a surprising amount of its finish. The 1876 Winchester was only made for 21 years, with a total of about 63,871 made in rifle, carbine and musket formats, with the result that ALL are collectable. This example would be a great rifle to add to a Winchester collection, placed between an 1873 and an 1886. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.