Lot 7

Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle

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Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle

Estimate: $45,000 - $70,000

Starting Bid: $40,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Stunning and Fresh Benchmark Example of the Iconic Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter Having been released on the American market 100 years after our nation declared its independence, the Winchester "Centennial" rifle declared itself the undisputed king of repeating rifles for a time, going on to forge an inseparable legacy in the most untamed wilds of the American frontier, confronting innumerable dangers with unrelenting power and steadfast reliability. Winchester's 1876, nicknamed the "Centennial Rifle" for its year of release, was essentially the same design as the '73 but significantly larger and intended to handle some of the more powerful cartridges of the period. The Model 1876 made its first public appearance at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, exactly 150 years ago, during the celebrations of the centennial of the United States of America. This particular example has remained in incredible condition all those years to be offered to the public now as an American treasure for the celebration of 250 years of this proud nation. Winchester historian and author George Madis notes that the Model 1876 was nicknamed the "Centennial Model" in commemoration of the American Revolution 100 years earlier, and it was a revolutionary gun, being the first Winchester to chamber cartridges of such power, as well as the last of the toggle-link action designs which had laid an incredible foundation for the company, allowing it to become a staple in the American firearms market for over a century. It is an extremely fleeting opportunity when one gets to have such a historic time capsule in their hands, representing one of these revolutionary and powerful rifles in nearly the same state in which it would have left the factory before heading westward in the hands of an intrepid soul daring to brave the frontier. A Winchester Model 1876 in benchmark condition like this is essentially unheard of, with this example presenting an elite collector with the sacred opportunity to preserve a nearly pristine piece of the history of this nation. When the company announced the '76, they stated that "The constant calls from many sources, and particularly from the regions in which the grizzly bear and other large game are found, as well as the plains where absence of cover and shyness of game require the hunter to make his shots at long range made it desirable to build a still more powerful gun than the model 1873." The increased power the '76 had to offer certainly found popularity with some heading westward to the American frontier, particularly those who felt the "handgun" calibers of the Model 1873 were not enough for dangers they might face. 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, such as bison, bear, and elk; as well as any human threats one might face. Standard configuration Model 1876s like this example, found their way westward in large numbers, often viewed in a utilitarian manner as a tool and seeing many years of hard use in the harsh conditions of the frontier, making exceptionally high condition '76s like this extremely scarce. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the Model 1876 is known to have been a favorite of America's "cowboy in chief" Theodore Roosevelt during his time spent in the Dakota Territory prior to being elected president. In his "Hunting Trips of a Ranchman", Roosevelt claimed that he used his "centennial" rifle almost exclusively and that it was "the best gun for any kind of game to be found in the United States, for it is deadly, accurate, and handy as any, stands very rough usage, and is unapproachable for the rapidity of its fire and the facility with which it is loaded.” With the stamp of approval from one of this country's most legendary ranchers, outdoorsmen, and presidents, as well as its inseparable association with our revolution and founding as a nation, it is clear to see why the Winchester Model 1876 remains extremely desirable among collectors and a treasured piece of Americana to this day. Manufactured in 1885, this is an astounding example of Winchester's "Centennial" rifle, the imposing Model 1876. The truly incredible, benchmark condition of this particular rifle cannot be understated, as it remains an awe-inspiring piece of history that appears to have been frozen in time. The included factory letter confirms this rifle in .45-60 caliber with a round barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 28 October 1885 and shipped on 5 April 1886 in order no. 5502. The third model receiver has the integral dust cover guide and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King's patent marking, while the caliber marking is at the breech and on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is factory fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included five-piece cleaning rod.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1876

BBL: 28 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-60 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number50174

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Excellent plus, retaining 97% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish, 95% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and lever, and 95% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate, with some light wear on the buttplate and a few scattered light handling marks. The wood is also excellent plus with a few scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. An absolutely stunning, benchmark example of the iconic Winchester 1876, an investment quality rifle that would be difficult, if not impossible, to improve upon regardless of time or money.

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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