SPECIAL ORDER EARLY 2ND MODEL 1876, 45-60, 26” OCT., 1/2 MAG, SGB, #9XXX, SHIPPED 1879.

Description:

UNUSUAL AND RARE SPECIAL ORDER EARLY 2ND MODEL 1876, 45-60, 26” OCT., ½ MAG, SGB, #9XXX, SHIPPED 1879. I called this one in to the Cody Museum Winchester records and this one is listed as: Rifle, Octagon, 26 inches, plain trigger, ½ Magazine, Shotgun butt, Received in the warehouse on October 27, 1879 and shipped the same day (call-in sheet included). According to the Winchester Handbook by Madis, only 79 M-1876 rifles had shorter than standard barrels (for the .45-60 standard was 28”), 119 had special butt plates, and 258 had magazines shorter than standard. So, in all this is an extremely rare rifle. It retains the early “thumb print oval” dust cover mounted on a rail held by screws (2nd Mod.), and as is typical of many special order rifles, the wood appears to be a little better than standard grade. It is also fitted with the correct graduated sporting tang sight, sporting ladder 1876 rear barrel sight with slide intact and an ivory bead half-moon front sight. The receiver shows some blue in the more protected areas and on the loading gate with the balance a mixture of gray/brown. The barrel shows good thinning blue with some areas of more gray mostly on the left side ahead and a little behind the rear sight. Interestingly, a full octagon barrel with half magazine is actually two special order features as Winchester supplied round or half-oct. barrels as standard with half-magazines unless specifically ordered with full octagon. The wood is excellent with tight wood to metal fit showing only light handling and NO refinishing or even cleaning. Correct smooth steel shotgun butt plate. Uncleaned and unpolished brass lifter caliber marked “45-60.” Tight action, strong safety half-cock, strong springs, and surprisingly excellent bore. There can't be many like this 1876. 
 

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-60 Winchester
Manufacturer: WINCHESTER
Model: 1876 2ND MOD.
Serial Number: 9XXX
Barrel Length: 26" OCT.
Condition: FINE
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT

Price: $5,400.00