1042

Outstanding and Rare Special Order Inscribed First Model Winchester 1876 "Open Top" Rifle with Facto

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Outstanding and Rare Special Order Inscribed First Model Winchester 1876  Open Top  Rifle with Facto
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Estimate: $16000 - 25000
Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1876
This is an excellent and very rare example of a First Model Winchester 1876 open top rifle. These early production guns feature no dust cover hence the name "Open Top". This rifle was manufactured in 1877 and only 3,000 of these First Model rifles were made before a dust cover was installed making them extremely scarce. Winchester production of the model 1876 was extremely limited in comparison to the other models of this time and only a mere 66,000 1876 rifles were manufactured making them rare and desirable in any condition or variation. The First Model represents the most desirable collector configuration outside of the "1 of 100" and "1 of 1000". The lower tang is marked with the serial number "1625", which is well within the First Model range, making this a second year production rifle. The underside of the brass cartridge carrier in inscribed with the original owners initials "AJC". The initials are certainly factory quality work and if not done in the factory they are of a professional and period Jewelers hand. German silver blade front sight with folding rear sight graduated to 1,000 yards. The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S - REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S- IMPROVEMENT - PATENTED - MARCH 29, 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight, there is no caliber markings on the barrel or carrier. The upper tang is marked with the early style "MODEL 1876". Blue barrel, magazine tube and frame, and casehardened hammer, lever, and crescent steel buttplate, with cleaning rod in the butt compartment. Mounted with a smooth oiled walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The accompanying factory letter confirms the configuration as "Rifle, Octagon Barrel, Set Trigger and that it was received in the warehouse February 21, 1878 and shipped from the warehouse on July 6, 1878.
BBL: 28 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45-75
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 1625
Condition:
Very Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 60% plus original blue finish showing only slight thinning on high edges and some scattered minor surface scratches. The frame retains 75% original blue finish with very minor wear to exposed edges and some casual overall collector type handling marks. The tang shows evidence of a removed Vernier tang sight. The loading gate still maintains a strong percent of the original niter blue finish and shows no signs of typical cartridge wear which would indicate very little use. The hammer and lever show strong original, but dark case color hues. The wood is also very fine showing an old coat of varnish with some scattered minor pressure marks. The action is excellent. Overall a very scarce and desirable inscribed First Model "Open Top" Winchester 1876 Rifle.