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First Year Production, "Open Top" Frame Special Order Winchester First Model 1876 45-70 govt "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter Guns International #: 103644347 Seller's Inventory #: 40951010 Category: Winchester Rifles - Winchester Rifles - Model 1876 Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: MALLARDS SHOOTING SUPPLY AND APPAREL Company: MALLARDS SHOOTING SUPPLY AND APPAREL Member Since: 5/10/23 First Name: MALLARDS Last Name: SALES CONSULTANT State: Florida Zip: 34428 Country: United States Phone: (352) 794-3507 Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 118 Total Number of Listings: 2032 Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Please Note: All sales are final. We offer a 3-day inspection period beginning upon delivery to your selected FFL. If you're not satisfied for any reason during this time, you may return the firearm, no questions asked, with a 25% restocking fee. We never charge credit card fees or add hidden costs of any kind. Looking for the best deal? Contact us directly, we’re committed to offering the most competitive pricing and will match any advertised price on the same firearm. Payment Types Accepted: VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS, CASH. CHECK. CASHIERS CHECK. MONEY ORDER, About Us: Mallards Shooting Supply and Apparel is Central Florida’s newest premier gun store. Don’t let the name fool you. Mallards Shooting Supply and Apparel isn’t just for duck hunters. Whether you hunt birds or big game, maybe you’re not a hunter at all and just like to shoot either way Mallards Shooting Supply has you covered. Mallards Shooting Supply has a large selection for all disciplines. From trap and skeet, Sporting Clays, personal and home defense, tactical, long range shooting, plinking, first time gun owners, etc. Mallards Shooting Supply has something for you! We are all highly trained and will offer the best customer service in the world at Mallards. Come in and see us! We welcome you! We look forward to visiting with you. Description: A highly collectible first-year-production Winchester Model 1876 “Centennial” rifle, this scarce early “open-top frame” example offers the kind of frontier-era significance, factory documentation, special-order features, and high-condition survival that advanced Winchester collectors prize. Manufactured in 1876, the debut year of the Model 1876, it represents Winchester’s powerful “big brother” to the Model 1873 and is especially desirable as an early First Model with no dust-cover provision. Manufactured in 1876, the first year of production for the Winchester Model 1876 Very fine and relatively scarce early “open-top frame” example First Model receiver has no provision for a dust cover Early open-top configuration is especially desirable to Winchester collectors Known as Winchester’s “Centennial” rifle, nicknamed for its 1876 year of release Designed by Winchester as an enlarged, more powerful version of the already popular Model 1873 Essentially the same basic design as the Model 1873, but scaled up for larger and more powerful cartridges Valued historically as one of Winchester’s important frontier-era repeating rifles The Model 1876 became popular with those heading west to the American frontier Offered increased power and a sense of security against both known and unknown dangers Provided some of the strongest stopping power available in a repeating rifle at the time Most chamberings were capable of handling some of the largest game in North America, as well as human threats Particularly desirable because early-production, standard-configuration Model 1876 rifles often saw hard frontier use Like the Model 1873, many were heavily used in the West Relatively few high-condition examples survive today, adding to this rifle’s collector appeal Included factory letter documents the rifle with: Octagon barrel Special-ordered set trigger Received at the warehouse on 18 January 1878 Shipped on 8 May 1878 Shipped in order number 11779 Barrel and markings: Octagon barrel, as confirmed by the factory letter Top barrel flat marked with the standard Winchester address and King’s patent marking Correctly lacks caliber markings No caliber marking is correct because .45-75 W.C.F. was the only caliber offered until 1879 Receiver and serial markings: Early production First Model open-top receiver Model marking located on the upper tang Serial number located on the lower tang Matching assembly number details: Assembly number “31” marked on the left side of the lower tang Matching “31” also found in the stock inlet Matching “31” also found inside the buttplate Sighting equipment: Fitted with a rare and desirable later-production replacement D.W. King, Denver, Colorado rotating “triple bead” blade front sight Only the ivory bead remains on the front sight Correct 1876-marked folding ladder/adjustable leaf rear sight Special-order trigger: Factory special-ordered single set trigger Set triggers are a desirable upgrade that enhance both shooting refinement and collector interest Stock and furniture: Smooth forearm Straight grip stock Early-pattern trapdoor “long toe” crescent buttplate With its first-year 1876 manufacture, scarce open-top First Model receiver, factory-lettered octagon barrel and special-order set trigger, correct early markings, matching assembly-numbered components, and rare D.W. King Denver front sight, this Winchester Model 1876 stands out as an exceptional frontier-era collectible with strong historical and investment appeal. Condition Very fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish, 60% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and strong traces on the lever, and 70% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with some cold blue touch up on the magazine tube showing a plum hue and the balance mostly a smooth grey patina with a few scattered freckles of light oxidation. The wood is also very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. It would be very difficult to find another first year production, First Model 1876 “Open Top” rifle in high condition like this for your Winchester collection! Price: $26,999.99 Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1876 Serial Number: 1263 Barrel Length: 28 inch octagon Bore: The bore is bright with some extremely light spotting and crisp rifling.