Special Order Winchester 1876 Express 50-95 Button Mag Shotgun Butt 22 Inch Round Barrel with Cody Letter 1881
Description:
Guns by Sally-always the best for less. We are extra proud to offer this extremely hard to find version of a Winchester 1876. This one is chambered in the ultimate 50-95 Express. This is the only chambering to ever have the loading data engraved onto the dust cover. Later guns had this stamped onto the dust cover. She is special ordered with a shotgun butt, half magazine, 22 inch round barrel, and is finished in varnish. I call this the "British pattern" 1876, and Madis refers to such a gun in the Winchester book. You can find this excerpt in the photos. These special guns were shipped to Britain, then used for hunts in Africa and India. Unlike most, this one has no unsightly British proofmarks or retailer stampings. That very important fact indicates that this gun was owned by royalty or a high ranking government official. If you compare this rifle to the one offered by the fine folks at Merz Antiques. you will see that they are only a few serial numbers apart. You will also see the British proof marks typically found on guns returning from England. Made in the year of our Lord 1881, she is in good condition for being 140 years old, and ships right o your door. There is some pitting on the barrel, receiver, and hammer from great clouds of black powder smoke, The blue is strong, with some thinning at the muzzle and from carry points on the receiver. The bore of the stout barrel is good, with plenty of shine and strong rifling. Remember, round barrels were not common before 1900.The action is smooth and crisp, and works as designed. The 50-95 on the brass elevator is quite sharp, as is the barrel stamping, and are usually a good indicator of the condition of a '76. A little known fact that many dyed-in-the-wool Winchester collectors do no not know, is that the 50-95 rifles had a special rear sight elevator. It is very unusual, tailored to the express rifle ballistics, and is not found on any other Winchester. Matching special order assembly numbers are found on the tang, stock, and butt plate. The Centennial model has really commanded ever increasing value, especially since they had a relatively short run of about 10 years and it is the last of the inhouse Winchester designs. The special order guns fetch even more dollars, and the 50-95 is in a class by itself. Investors, take note. On March 27th, a "plain Jane" 1876 express rifle with no special order features and no Cody verification sold for 15,340 dollars at one of the big gun sales. If you have been looking for the right 1876 to collect, for investment, or to drop a moose or elk the old fashioned way, but want the added clout of a special order Express rifle that has been around the globe, then look no further. This is the lowest price 50-95 you will find here without major detractions.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .50 Express