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matching assembly number “2363” along with the letter “P” are stamped on the stock inlet. Matching assembly number “2363” also appears on the back of the buttplate. 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.
CONDITION: Very fine. The metal components have been professionally restored with 95% of the blue finish remaining and 98% of the case colors remaining. The wood is also very fine with a couple slight chips at the upper tang, minor handling marks, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A solid
representative example of a Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Short Rifle.
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 22,500
45
LOT 1051
Documented Highly Desirable Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Lever Action Short
Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 48655, 50-95 Express cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This Short Express Rifle Model 1876 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. The included factory letter (copy) confirms the 22 inch round express barrel, plain trigger, half magazine, shotgun butt, and casehardened finish as well as listing “inside
finish.” The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on October 14, 1885 and shipped the same day along with 17 other Model 1876s. This short rifle was later refurbished by Turnbull
Restoration Co. The rifle is fitted with Winchester No. 21 front and 1,000 yard flip up leaf ladder rear sights. The barrel has the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “50 CAL” at the breech. London proofs appear on the barrel and receiver
at the breech. The cartridge elevator is marked “50-95” as well as “A328.” The third model receiver has a casehardened finish and a
dust cover marked “WINCHESTER EXPRESS/50 CAL 95 GRS.” The forearm and pistol grip stock are “XX” select walnut and feature factory “H”
pattern checkering. The stock has an ebony grip insert and a steel shotgun buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked “2363 XX S.” The