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LOT 35
Highly Attractive Documented Factory Inscribed Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action Short Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 61759, 40-60 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, deluxe walnut stock. The Model 1876 was the first Winchester lever action rifle offered in calibers truly suitable for hunting large and dangerous game. The larger caliber Model 1876 was popular among those in the West who believed .44-40 wasn’t quite enough stopping power for whatever they might encounter. Deluxe variations of the Model 1876 are always in demand. With only 63,871 rifles and carbines manufactured between 1876 and 1897 surviving examples of the Model 1876 rifle are scarce. Generally being viewed as a working gun, these rifles in deluxe configuration or with special order features are especially rare. This deluxe example is additionally appealing as it is factory inscribed.
The accompanying factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on December 21, 1888, and shipped the same day on order
58
number 16232 with a 24 inch octagon barrel in 40-60 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, casehardened receiver, and coin
silver pistol grip cap factory engraved “H.S Rutter, Wilkes Barre, Penn.” The factory made an error either in recording or in the inscription as the grip cap is instead distinctly inscribed “C.S. RUTTER/WILKES BARRE/PA”. The rifle retains this very rare factory inscribed grip cap. Period sources link Henry S. Rutter to several Pennsylvania businesses and financial institutions.