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Rare Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 50-95 Express Lever Action Rifle with Casehardened Receiver and Fa

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 13,000.00 USD
Rare Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 50-95 Express Lever Action Rifle with Casehardened Receiver and Fa
This is a rare documented example of a Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Express Rifle with factory letter. The letter states this rifle was shipped from Winchester on February 9, 1885. The Cody letter describes is as: "Rifle, Express caliber, Barrel Length: 22 inches, Barrel Shape: Round, Plain trigger, Checkered Stock, Pistol Grip, 1/2 magazine, Shotgun butt, Case Hardened , Inside Finish". The barrel is fitted with a British, Holland & Holland style, matted ramp front sight and H&H style, three leaf express rear sight with platinum sight lines. The sight leafs are marked 100, 200 and 300 yards. The rifle has been fitted with a full length magazine tube and has sling swivels on the forearm cap and stock. The stock has a smooth, blued steel shotgun buttplate. The fancy, highly figured, walnut short forearm and pistol grip stock have fine checkering. The stock pistol grip has an ebony inlay. British proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and on the top of the receiver. The top of the dust cover is engraved: "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 Cal. 95 GRS." in two lines. The barrel, full-length magazine tube, forearm cap and dust cover have a high polish blue finish. The frame, hammer and loading lever have a casehardened finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: WINCHESTER'S REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860." in two lines head of the rear sight. "50 CAL." is stamped on the top of the barrel in front of the receiver. The upper barrel tang is roll-stamped: "{ MODEL 1876}" in foliate letters. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is engraved: "50-95". The serial number, "42500", is stamped in small numbers across the lower receiver tang behind the loading lever latch. This rifle was apparently regulated and partially finished by Holland & Holland or another fine British gunmaker. This rifle is nearly identical to the Model 1876, .50-95 caliber short rifle re-worked by Holland & Holland shown on page 222 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" by George Madis.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 50-95 Express
Finish: casehardened/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 42500


Very good. The barrel, magazine tube and other blued components have been period re-finished and show minimal wear. The frame, hammer and loading lever retain approximately 40% of the original casehardened finish. The case colors have faded to an attractive silver-gray patina at the contact points. The loading gate retains about 75% of the original blue finish. The barrel, dust cover and frame markings are crisp. The stock has been professionally lengthened. This is a desirable example of a 50-95 express caliber Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action Short Rifle with period British Express modifications.