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LOT 42
Special Order Westley Richards Retailer Marked
Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action “Tiger Short
Rifle” in Desirable .50 Express with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 56242, 50-95 Winchester Express cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. The factory letter lists this rifle in
“Express” caliber with a 22 inch round barrel, plain trigger, checkered
pistol grip stock with shotgun butt, 1/2 magazine, and casehardened and
“inside finish” and indicates it was received in the warehouse on August
30, 1887, and was shipped on August 31, 1887, in order 18658. This rifle is
configured similarly to the Model 1886 Lightweight in that it has a short 22
inch barrel (although not tapered), rifle style forearm, short magazine tube, and
shotgun butt. A similar example is pictured on page 238 of “The Winchester Book”
by Madis. In the data discussed on page 253 of the above book, Madis notes that only
one of each 800 had a shorter than average barrel. This example was manufactured in 1885
and features a third model dust cover guide rail integrally machined as part of the receiver and dust
cover with serrated rear edge. The dust cover is hand inscribed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co LIMITED/WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50
CAL. 95 GRS/LONDON & BIRMINGHAM.” The barrel has the two-line address and patent information on top ahead of the rear
sight, “50-95 W.C.F.” at the breech, and British proofs on the left. An additional British proof is found on the left side of the
receiver. The upper tang has the model designation, and the lower tang has the serial number. The brass cartridge elevator
is marked “50-95.” The rifle has a beaded blade front sight and three-leaf rear sight with silver sight lines. A sling eyelet is
mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttstock. The nicely figured forearm and pistol grip stock feature checkering,
an ebony grip insert, and a solid recoil pad. The left side of the lower tang is marked “1459 XXX,” and “1459” is repeated on the
stock inlet. 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. Theodore Roosevelt loved his .45-
75 ‘76, but he and other Americans scorned the .50 Express, and thus, the Model 1876 was only produced in limited numbers
chambered for that cartridge compared to the smaller calibers.