Lot 8

Serial Number 758 "Open Top" Winchester Model 1876 Rifle

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Serial Number 758 "Open Top" Winchester Model 1876 Rifle

Estimate: $55,000 - $75,000

Starting Bid: $47,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Outstanding, Exceptional, and Highly Desirable Documented First Year Production, Three-Digit Serial Number 758, "Open Top" Frame Special Order Winchester First Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with George H. Daw & Co. British Retailer Mark and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1876, the first year of production, this is an outstanding and very scarce "open-top frame" example of Winchester's "Centennial" rifle, the Model 1876, that made its way to Britain and was sold through their notable firearms manufacturers and retailers, George H. Daw & Co. These rifles were designed by Winchester to be an upscaled "big brother" to their already popular Model 1873. Their "Centennial Model", nicknamed for its year of release, was basically the same design as the '73, but larger and intended to handle some of the more powerful cartridges of the period. The increased power the '76 had to offer found popularity with those heading westward to the American frontier or any other frontier around the globe, providing a sense of security against the known and unknown dangers they might face. While not as powerful as some of Winchester's later models, the 1876 offered some of the strongest stopping power in a repeating rifle at the time, with most of its chamberings capable of handling some of the largest game in North America, most soft-skinned African or Indian predators and prey, as well as any human threats one might face. These Model 1876s, particularly early production, standard configuration ones, often saw hard use on whatever frontier they found themselves on, just like the Model '73, leaving relatively few surviving examples available, particularly in incredibly high condition like this one. It is easy to imagine this rifle having been purchased by a British gentleman as a powerful rapid fire option for a hunting trip to Africa or India. The included factory letter with this example lists the rifle with an octagon barrel and special ordered set trigger when received at the warehouse on 26 October 1877, and shipped on 27 October 1877 in order no. 10349. The rifle has the early production First Model "open-top" receiver, which has no provision for a dust cover. The top barrel flat is marked with the standard two-line address and King's patent marking. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings, as .45-75 W.C.F. was the only caliber offered until 1879. The model marking is on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. There are London proof marks on the upper left barrel flat at the breech and the upper left of the receiver ring. The top of the receiver behind the ejection port is hand engraved with "GEO. H. DAW & Co./57. THREADNEEDLE STREET/LONDON. George H. Daw was established as a gunmaker as early as 1780, continuing into the 19th century, with "& Co." being added to the name in the 1870s. It is fitted with a German silver No. 21 blade "Sporting" front sight and a refinished No. 42 folding ladder rear sight marked "1876" at the top of the ladder. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with the correct, early production, "long toe", trapdoor crescent buttplate.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1876

BBL: 28 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-75

Finish: blue

Serial Number758

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Excellent, retaining 90% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish, 70% of the age-darkened original case colors, and 75% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a brown patina in handled areas and some scattered light dings and scratches. The wood is also excellent with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically functions. This is a truly outstanding example of Winchester's "Centennial" rifle that bears clues of its world travels, while remaining in astonishingly high condition!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000