Lot 3009

Very Fine Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Rifle

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Very Fine Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Rifle

Estimate: $6,500 - $9,500

Starting Bid: $5,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Fine Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1885, this is a truly exceptional example of the Winchester Model 1876 rifle, also famously known as Winchester's "Centennial" rifle due to the year of its release. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .40-60 caliber with a round barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 17 February 1885 and shipped on 24 February 1885 to order number 19241. The venerable '76 was designed as the big brother of Winchester's iconic Model 1873, capable of handling larger and more powerful cartridges. Given the growing reputation of the 1873, as well as the stronger chamberings available for the 1876, anyone considering the prospect of braving the wilds of the western frontier would have been happy to call a "Centennial" rifle their companion for the journey. Large numbers of these '76s saw extensive use in the West, leaving very few available to collectors in high condition like this. This particular example has the Third Model receiver with 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 the caliber marking at the breech, which is repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model designation is on the upper tang and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. It is fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight, an "1876" marked folding ladder rear sight, and a peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1876

BBL: 28 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 40-60 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number43879

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish, 40% of the original case colors on the hammer and lever, and 30% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance a mixed brown and grey patina and some scattered light handling marks. The refinished wood is fine with a faint hairline crack in the left wrist, a few light edge chips, and some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically functions.

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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