Lot 3000

Special Order Winchester Second Model 1876 "Centennial" Rifle

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Special Order Winchester Second Model 1876 "Centennial" Rifle

Estimate: $9,500 - $16,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

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

Special Order Winchester Second Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with Highly Desirable Casehardened Receiver and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1881, this is a very fine example of Winchester's "Centennial" rifle with the highly desirable special ordered casehardened receiver. These rifles were introduced to the public the same year the United States was celebrating its centennial and were essentially marketed as a larger more powerful version Winchester's already legendary Model 1873. The more powerful calibers offered for the Model 1876 were sought out by many with their eyes set westward who felt that .44-40 might not be capable of handling the dangers they might face on the frontier. The included factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, "sling and swivel", and casehardened finish when received at the warehouse on 21 July 1881 and shipped the following day to order no. 21132. The special ordered casehardened receiver on this example is of the Second Model type with the dust cover guide retained with two screws and the dust cover with serrations at the rear. Winchester author George Madis notes that only one out of every nine Model 1876s was ordered with the casehardened receiver. This example has the standard Winchester markings including correctly lacking caliber markings as the only caliber initially offered for the model was .45-75 W.C.F. It is fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight, an "1876" marked folding ladder rear sight, and factory sling swivels on the forearm cap and bottom of the stock. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included five-piece metal cleaning rod. Also includes a photocopy of the original ledger listing.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1876

BBL: 28 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-75 Winchester

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number14436

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish, 30% of the vibrant original case colors, and 60% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly an attractive smooth grey patina. The wood is also very fine with mild handling wear, some scattered minor dings, and some finish bubbling on the left near the comb. Mechanically functions. A very fine example of the Winchester "Centennial" rifle!

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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