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LOT 1008
Exceptionally Fine Documented Special Order Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Highly Desirable Casehardened Receiver and Factory Letter - Serial no. 10051, 45-75 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1880 as a
Second Model with the dust cover rail attached to the receiver with screws and the dust cover with serrations at the rear. This example has the very desirable,
special order casehardened receiver, as well as a special order set trigger. Winchester author George Madis notes that only one out of every nine Model 1876s
was ordered with the casehardened receiver, and that only one out of every 14 were ordered with a set trigger. The standard two-line address and King’s patent
marking is on the top barrel flat, and the rifle correctly lacks caliber markings, as the only caliber initially offered was .45-75 W.C.F. The model designation is marked on
the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. The assembly number “X 566” is marked on the left of the lower tang, with “566” repeated in the stock inlet
and inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a silver plated “Rocky Mountain” style blade front sight, “1876” marked folding ladder rear sight, and a tang mounted peep sight.
It is mounted with a nicely figured, select grain, smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate. The included, very interesting factory letter notes
that an original listing for the rifle of express caliber, half-octagon barrel, set trigger, light checkered stock, casehardened finish, and receipt at the warehouse on 30 June 1880 is completely crossed
out. There is an additional notation of received at the warehouse on 1 December 1881 with an octagon barrel, set trigger, casehardened finish, and shipment from the warehouse on 2 December 1881. It is
likely that this interesting ledger notation is due to the customer who originally ordered the rifle changed their mind or canceled, and the rifle was reworked to new specifications before leaving the factory. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish, 70% of the vibrant original case colors, and 80% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The reoiled wood is very fine with some scattered
minor dings and light scratches throughout. Mechanically excellent. A desirable special order Winchester Model 1876 to add
to your collection! Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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