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LOT 1031
Special Order Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Extra Length Heavy Barrel, Factory Letter and George Madis Letter - Serial no. 4787, 45-75 cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1878 as a Second Model with a dust cover guide rail attached to the receiver with two screws. This rifle has a highly sought after special order 30 inch extra length heavy barrel, silver blade front sight and set trigger. The rarity of these features is highlighted in the included George Madis letter, in which he states, “Number 4787 has a heavy barrel. This weight
is heavier than the standard size, and is one of the rarest weights found in this model. Winchester produced three basic weights of barrels for the 76. There were the standard, heavy and extra heavy sizes. Both heavy and extra heavy barrels are rare, and seldom found in any model. In addition to the rare barrel weight, this rifle has a special 30 inch barrel. Special
and set trigger when received in the warehouse on
October 22, 1879 and shipped that same day, as a part
of a 12 rifle order. The rifle is equipped with a silver blade front sight, an “1876” marked folding ladder rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking. The rifle correctly lacks caliber designations. The lower tang has the serial number. The forearm and straight grip stock are walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Very good, displaying an attractive smooth
dark brown patina, with traces of the original blue finish
in the protected areas, especially around the lower flats of
the octagon barrel, trigger guard and rear sight base. The refinished wood is also very good as period personalized
with four “kill notches” carved into the top of the comb, a few age lines along the grain and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A solid documented example of an
barrels, especially the longer lengths, are rare collector’s
items. A special order silver blade front sight is seen on this Winchester, and a set trigger is provided.” The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with a 30 inch heavy octagon barrel
early and highly sought after extra length heavy barrel Model 1876.
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
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