Winchester Model 1876 Centennial 28″ .45-60 WCF Lever Rifle, 1884 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2933

LSB#: 230914LM124

Make: Winchester

Model: 1876 Rifle

Serial Number: 53895

Year of Manufacture: 1884

Caliber: .45-60 Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 28″, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of 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 slider is loose on the ladder. 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 is discoloration at the rear edge of the butt. The wood is generally well fit, but is shy to the metal at the rear of the forend and the toe. 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 light erosion, nicks and scratches. The stocks are in about Very Good overall condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 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 5% of its metal finish. Finish remains only in areas protected while assembled. The exposed surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a mottled light patina. There is scattered light surface oxidation and some minor surface erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. There is a lever safety. 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: None.

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 an honest example from 1884 chambered for the .45-60 Winchester cartridge. Especially given the rifle’s age, it’s in quite good shape with a decent bore and strong mechanics. 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!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud