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LOT 21
Extraordinary Winchester Deluxe “Centennial” Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 22574, 45-60 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle made its public debut in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where it garnered the title “The Centennial Model” in honor of the Declaration
of Independence. By all accounts the Model 1876 was “a revolutionary gun,” as legendary Winchester expert George Madis pointed out. Originally chambered in only .45-75 WCF cartridge, the Model 1876 offered a larger caliber for customers, particularly those out West, who believed .44-40 WCF lacked the stopping power for whatever came their way. Only 63,871 were made
c. 1876-1898. The model was fairly quickly supplanted by the Model 1886, but the Model 1876 has that classic early Winchester appeal with its side plates, dust cover, toggle link action, and combination of blued and casehardened metal.
Surviving examples of the Centennial rifle are scarce, especially those in high condition. Even rarer are deluxe Model 1876s in outstanding condition. The Model 1876 was a “working gun” when a powerful rifle was still highly valued on the wild Western frontier and customers were generally not inclined to spend extra money on deluxe features. Surviving examples display
all the character of hard use. This deluxe example, however, bucks the trend and remains in excellent condition, having the appearance of just coming off the production floor. This stellar deluxe Model 1876 is certainly worthy of the finest and most advanced Winchester or lever action collection.