Page 20 - 4091-BOOK2

LOT 1014
Fine Documented Factory Engraved Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle
in Highly Desirable .50 Express with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 20864, 50-95 Express cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. The .50-95 Winchester Express was the largest caliber available for the Model 1876 and proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Model
1876 rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were
often employed against big cats. The Model 1876 in .50 Express was only produced in limited numbers, especially when compared to the smaller calibers. Today Model 1876 .50 Express Rifles are a highly sought after Winchester collectible. High condition examples are proving difficult to find. This high condition example is made even rarer and more desirable by being in deluxe configuration with additional special order features such as factory engraving, matted barrel, and button magazine.
The accompanying factory letter lists the rifle with a round matted barrel
in express caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, “sights as per order,” shotgun butt, casehardened frame, and factory engraving at an extra cost of $1.50. The letter confirms the rifle was received in the warehouse on February 16, 1882 and shipped the next day to order number 30984 and lists three return dates with factory changes that match the rifles configuration. These factory return dates are listed as follows: “September 7, 1883, Order number 6701-To pistol grip, Rifle butt;” July 30, 1885, Order number 21877-To Shotgun butt, Octagon;” and “Shipped from warehouse on January 11, 1889, Order number 17360” (presumably with a round barrel).
Factory matted Winchester barrels are rare. According to noted Winchester expert and author George Madis, “Matted barrels were produced in very limited numbers. Early matting was applied by hand in some cases.” The matting on this Model 1876 is the early style cross checking and covers the entire top portion of the barrel. The two-line Winchester legend remains legible ahead of the rear sight. The right side of the barrel at the breech
is stamped “50 CAL” upside down. The front and rear sights are period additions.
18