3372

Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Lever Action Short Rifle with British Proofs and Winchester Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Lever Action Short Rifle with British Proofs and Winchester Letter
Manufactured in 1886. Third Model with integral dust cover rail, which features a blade front and two folding leaf rear sights, the top of the barrel is marked with the two line address/King's patent dates and the left rear is marked "50-95 W.C.F." above a British "crown/GP 38 (upside-down) crown/V" followed by an unrecognizable marking. The top of the dust cover is marked "WINCHESTER EXPRESS / 50 CAL. 95GRS.". There is a "crown/V" proof on the upper front left side of the receiver, the upper tang is marked "{MODEL 1876}", the letter "S" is stamped directly ahead of the trigger and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. Half-magazine, blue barrel with casehardened remaining parts and mounted with a smooth forearm with steel end cap and straight grip stock with a steel shotgun buttplate. The accompanying Winchester letter verifies the serial number, rifle configuration, express, round barrel, plain trigger, 22" barrel, 1/2 magazine, shotgun butt, that it was received in the warehouse on September 24, 1888 and shipped on April 29, 1891. While the shipping designation was not given, the configuration was typical of those guns shipped to England for those who were traveling to India. The 50 express cartridge was considered to be a good tiger cartridge and five shots was better than one or two. The button magazine and shotgun buttplate are also typical of the British India guns.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 50-95 Express
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 58970
Condition: Good. The barrel has a smooth mottled brown patina. The receiver is a smooth dark mottled gray patina. The hammer and lever have a smooth dark patina and the buttplate shows scattered flashes of original case colors with a smooth brownish patina on the balance. The stock has a an old repair at the front of the comb where some sanding was done. There are a couple of small shallow gouges and a few minor cracks in the area and the stock has been sanded and refinished with a coat of varnish. Otherwise there is a chip absent on the left side upper wrist and overall a few minor dings and dents. The dust cover markings are faded, but readable, otherwise the markings are clear. The action is very good.