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LOT 3000
Exceptional Winchester Model 1876 “Centennial” Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 11230, 45-75 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle made its
public debut in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where it garnered the title “The Centennial Model” in honor of the Revolutionary
War. By all accounts the Model 1876 was “a revolutionary gun,” as Winchester expert George Madis
pointed out. Originally chambered in only .45-75 WCF cartridge, the Model 1876 offered a larger caliber for customers, particularly those out West, who believed .44-40
WCF lacked the stopping power for whatever came their way. With only 63,871 rifles and carbines manufactured between 1876 and 1897 surviving examples of the Centennial rifle
are scarce, especially those in high condition. The Model 1876 was a working man’s gun and thus surviving examples display all the character of hard use. This example however remains in
excellent condition, worthy of the finest collection. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight marked “1876.” The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-
line Winchester address/King’s patent date marking ahead of the rear sight. The rifle properly lacks caliber markings. The second model receiver features a dust cover guide rail attached to the
receiver with two screws and a dust cover with oval finger checkering. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873.” The lower tang has the serial number. The hammer and lever are casehardened.
The loading gate has a nitre blue finish. The remaining metal surfaces are blued. The forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate. The butt
compartment contains a four piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The buttplate is mostly a smooth brown patina with traces of original blue. 60% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The loading gate retains 30% original nitre blue. The wood is very fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A Winchester Model 1876 Rifle in outstanding condition that is
becoming difficult to find.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 3001
Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Extra Lightweight Takedown Lever Action .45-70 Short Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 131262, 45-70 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Based on a John Browning patent, the Model 1886 was one of the strongest lever actions ever used in a Winchester rifle, with this example chambered in highly desirable 45-70 caliber and in scarce special order lightweight
takedown rifle configuration. As Winchester expert and author George Madis noted, “While [Model 1886 lightweight 45-70 rifles] were offered over a period of years,
comparatively few were produced and it is a scarce gun” (“The Winchester Book,” page 249). The accompanying factory letter (copy) lists this rifle in extra light weight takedown configuration with
a round 22 inch barrel in .45-70 caliber, plain trigger, Lyman semi-jack sight, “WHV”, full magazine, rubber, and shotgun butt. The letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on July 12, 1904, fitted with screw eyes on July 14, 1904, and shipped on July 14, 1904. The letter also indicates the rifle was returned for repair on three separate occasions: August 18, 1904, January 7, 1905, and March 25, 1912. The short barrel is stamped with the two-line New Haven address ahead of the rear sight, “45-70” at the breech, and “NICKEL STEEL” on the left side under the rear sight. Import marked on underside of barrel. The rifle is fitted with a Lyman No. 28 semi-jack bead front sight and Winchester No. 22B sporting rear sight with No. 1C elevator. A Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The upper tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-.” The lower tang has the patent dates and the serial number. The select walnut forearm and stock feature “H” style checkering, and the stock is fitted with a solid Winchester recoil pad. The “XXX” deluxe wood is not listed in the factory letter and therefore was likely fitted when the rifle returned to the factory in August 1904, January 1905 or March 1912. The left side of the lower tang is marked “H31 XXX.” The assembly number “H31” is repeated on the stock inlet.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel, magazine tube and forend cap retain 70% original blue finish and the receiver, bolt and takedown collar retain 60% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance and some pitting on the chamber. Slight traces of original niter blue remain on the loading gate. 30% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The wood is with a replacement butt pad. Mechanically excellent. A well cared for deluxe Winchester Model 1886 Extra Lightweight Takedown Rifle displaying honest use.
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
4 Estimate: 8,000 - 11,000