Winchester Model 1876 Centennial 45-60 WCF 28″ Lever Action Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,475.00
LSB#: LSB260505JM014
Make: Winchester
Model: 1876 Centennial
Serial Number: 11970
Year of Manufacture: 1880 Antique
Caliber: 45-60 WCF
Action Type: Lever action, centerfire rifle, fed from tubular magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Winchester Repeating Arms, New Haven, CT, Kings Improvement Patented, March 29, 1866, October 16, 1860, Cal 45-60”. The bottom of the carrier is marked “45-60”. The upper tang is marked “Model 1876”. The serial number is marked on the lower tang.
Barrel Length: 28″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf V notch with elevator dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped and for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent rifle buttplate with trapdoor. There is nothing stored in the stock currently. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has had some refinishing done. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. One of the buttplate screws is missing. There is worn finish on the stock. There is a repaired crack on the forend. Overall this stock is in Good condition for refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is sharp. There is light erosion and pitting scattered throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its original finish. The majority of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is some retained bluing in protected areas. There are some light spots of pitting. There is some tool marking in places. There is handling and operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition for antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Winchester Model 1876 Centennial, manufactured in 1880 and chambered in .45-60 WCF, is a desirable antique lever-action rifle with strong 19th-century Winchester collector appeal. The 28″ barrel, tubular magazine, Model 1876 upper tang marking, King’s Improvement barrel address, caliber-marked carrier, crescent rifle buttplate with trapdoor, and full rifle configuration all contribute to its classic Centennial model character. The .45-60 WCF chambering is especially appropriate for the Model 1876 platform and adds historical interest as one of the cartridges associated with Winchester’s large-frame lever actions.
The bore is a significant positive for an antique rifle of this age, described as mostly bright with sharp rifling and only scattered light erosion and pitting, rating 8/10 in the writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, though the rifle has not been test fired. The exterior metal shows honest antique wear, retaining about 10% of its original blue finish, mostly in protected areas, with the balance worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining. There are also light pitting spots, tool marks, handling wear, operational wear, and lightly tooled but serviceable screw heads. Importantly, the markings remain clear, which is a strong collector plus.
The walnut stock is in Good condition as refinished, with scattered scratches and compression dents, worn finish, and a repaired crack on the forend. The refinishing and repaired wood reduce originality, but the stock remains presentable and consistent with a well-used antique sporting rifle. The trapdoor buttplate is a desirable feature, though no accessories are currently stored in the buttstock. Overall, this is an appealing antique Winchester 1876 Centennial with clear markings, functional mechanics, a strong bore, and desirable .45-60 WCF chambering, with value moderated by finish loss, refinished wood, the repaired forend crack, and general antique wear. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF