Page 10 - 89-FLIPBOOK1

8
LOT 6
Charles Lancaster London Retailer Marked Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Short Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 42507, 45-75 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The included factory letter (copy) lists this Winchester Model 1876 short rifle with
a 22 inch round barrel, plain trigger, and shotgun buttplate when it
was received in the warehouse on December 1, 1884, and shipped on December 9 with 17 other arms to order number 16933. In the data discussed on page 253 of “The Winchester Book ,” George Madis notes that only one of each 800 had a shorter than average barrel. The left side plate has a London retailer marking: “CHARLES LANCASTER/151 NEW BOND STREET/LONDON” above the number “7621.” Many Model 1876 rifles were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India, where they were often employed against big cats. The rifle
is fitted with a dovetail German silver blade front sight and an “1876” marked folding ladder rear sight. The barrel and receiver are stamped
with London proofs at the breech.
The receiver is a third model. The top of the
barrel has the two-line Winchester legend ahead
of the rear sight and “CAL./45-75” at the breech.
The cartridge elevator is marked “45-75.” The upper
tang is marked “MODEL 1876.” The straight grip stock
is fitted with a steel shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine. The frame retains 80% original blue
finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The barrel,
magazine tube, and forend cap retain 20% original blue
finish with a brown-gray patina on the balance. 40% original niter blue remains on the loading gate. 40% original case colors remain on the lever. The re-oiled wood is also fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000