Page 28 - 4096-BOOK2

LOT 1019
- Serial no. 9769, 45-60 WCF cal., 28 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut checkered stock. Manufactured in
1879, this is an incredible, highly desirable,
and fresh to the market example of the
iconic Winchester “One of One Thousand”
Model 1876 rifle. The Model 1876 “One of
One Thousand” rifles are among the rarest
and most desirable of all American firearms.
According to the Winchester factory ledgers,
only 55 of these specially selected, highly
finished “One of One Thousand” Winchester
Model 1876 rifles were produced, while 136
of the also scarce “One of One Thousand”
Model 1873 rifles were made. The included
factory letter describes this rifle in .45-60
caliber, with a 28 inch octagon barrel, a set
trigger, a checkered stock, casehardened
finish, and “1 of 1000”. The letter states that
this rifle was shipped from Winchester on
November 25, 1879, in order number 17811
after being received at the warehouse
on November 22. It is believed that only
approximately ten of the extremely elusive
Model 1876 rifles have been located by
today’s collectors, leaving many of even the
most accomplished Winchester collectors
still in search of a “One of One Thousand”
to add to their collection, particularly the
“Centennial” rifle variation. The Model 1876
itself stands tall as the first “Big Bore” lever
action repeater produced by the Winchester
company, quickly finding popularity with
those heading westward to the frontier. The
powerful calibers this model offered were
highly prized by those adventurous souls
determined to face the perils of the West in
search of prosperity. A great many of these
‘76s, “One of One Thousand” or otherwise,
saw many years of extensive frontier
use, and many did not survive. Initially
announced in 1873, the “One of
One Thousand” program was explained in
more detail in Winchester’s 1875 catalogs,
listing specifics on the selection process for
gathering the most accurate rifles possible.
While the 1 of 1,000 and 1 of 100 rifles are
thought of as incredibly valuable collectibles
today, it is clear the program was originally
specifically meant for serious sportsmen
that were looking for deadly accurate rifles.
Frontiersmen like Granville and Thomas
Stuart sought out these rifles for use in
hunting, target shooting, and defending
their homesteads. Others were owned by
wealthy hunters who appreciated these
rifles increased accuracy over your standard
Model 1873 or 1876. The Model 1876 1 of
1,000s were produced in smaller numbers,
but their buyers were even more likely
to be serious hunters as the “Centennial
Model” chambered in its large calibers was
designed to offer serious stopping power in
a repeating rifle.
This particular rifle has the Second
Model receiver with screw fastened dust
cover guide rail and dust cover with oval
checkered finger guide. The receiver has a
single set trigger. The full octagon barrel
has a folding leaf rear sight graduated to
“10” and marked “1876” at the top of the
leaf and dovetail mounted sporting style
front sight with extended base. The front
sight was period modified, quite possibly
by the original owner for frontier use. The
crescent steel buttplate has a sliding brass
trapdoor. The stock and forearm are 2X
fancy grade walnut with checkered panels.
The barrel, full length magazine, dust cover
and loading gate are blued. The forearm
cap, receiver, hammer, trigger, lever and
crescent buttplate are color casehardened.
The top barrel flat is engraved “One of
One Thousand” is script letters reading
towards the receiver in an engraved panel
with punch-dot and scallop borders and
a scrollwork flourish at the muzzle end.
This marking is identical to the marking on
Model 1876 “One of One Thousand” serial
number 10018 illustrated on page 120 of
“Winchester: The Golden Age of American
Gunmaking and Winchester 1 of 1000” by
R.L. Wilson. The sides of the barrel below the
“One of One Thousand” marking and the
muzzle are decorated with tight scrollwork
engraving on a punch-dot background.
Exceptionally Rare Winchester
Model 1876 Rifle with Extensive
Documentation & a Factory Letter
One of One Thousand
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