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LOT 3041
Rare and Exceptional Special Order Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Musket with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 4639, 45-60 WCF cal., 32 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The
included factory letter lists this Model 1876 as a musket with Baker sights and indicates it was received
in the warehouse on August 1, 1878, and shipped on May 19, 1879, in order 15473. The musket has the
Second Model receiver with screw-fastened dust cover rail and dust cover with oval, checkered finger
guide, and the distinctive blued steel forearm cap and cleaning rod secured by a loop on the left side
of the forearm cap. The 32-inch round barrel has a front sight with steel block base for a socket bayonet
and Henry style folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch. Sling swivels are mounted on the
barrel band and stock. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW
HAVEN. CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. OCTOBER 16. 1860.” in two lines between the
barrel band and rear sight. London “crown/GP” and “crown/V” proof marks are stamped on the left side
of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. “450” is stamped on the right side of the barrel
just ahead of the receiver. A small “crown/V” is stamped on the top of the receiver ahead and to the left
of the ejection port. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: “MODEL. 1876.” in fancy letters. The serial
number is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and rear tang screw.
The barrel and brass cartridge elevator are, correctly, not stamped with a caliber designation. The barrel,
magazine tip, forearm cap, barrel band, receiver, and dust cover have a blue finish. The loading port
cover is fire blue. The cleaning rod is bright. The hammer, trigger, lever, and carbine style buttplate are
color casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain, oil finished walnut.
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