Winchester Model 1876 Octagon Barrel Caliber.40-60 WCF Lever Action Rifle (Original)
SKU: 523
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Company
Date Manufactured: 1892
Model: 1876
Serial Number: 63545
Caliber: .40-60 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)
Total Length:
Barrel Length: 28"
Bore Condition: 9/10
Action: Lever.-Action
Effective firing range: 100-150 Yards
Magazine: Full-length tube magazine
Receiver: A larger, stronger action than the Model 1873, designed for bigger cartridges
Buttstock: Crescent buttplate and a brass trap for a cleaning rod
Condition: 94%/Excellent
Mechanically: Excellent
Price: $4,995.00
Seller Type: Classification: C&R / FFL
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: HB-2100
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
This is an original Winchester Model 1876 lever-action rifle, chambered in .40-60 Winchester, manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1882. A highly respected frontier-era rifle, the Model 1876 was introduced for hunters and outdoorsmen who required more power than the earlier Model 1873 could deliver, making it a favorite among Western settlers, lawmen, and big-game hunters of the late 19th century.
Condition & Finish
This example remains in very good condition, retaining most of its original blue finish—a desirable trait seldom seen on rifles of this age. The metal surfaces show honest wear consistent with careful use, while still retaining strong definition across all markings and edges.
Stock & Furniture
The rifle is fitted with its original two-piece smooth walnut stocks, featuring a straight grip, steel forend cap, and steel crescent buttplate. The buttplate includes the classic Winchester sliding-door storage compartment in the trap, which is empty but fully functional. Wood surfaces show typical age patina and remain tight to the metal with no structural issues.
Barrel & Bore
This rifle features the desirable octagon barrel, a hallmark option for many Model 1876 rifles. The bore retains shine with clearly visible rifling, indicating a well-preserved interior rarely encountered in 19th-century black-powder rifles.
Mechanical Function
Mechanically, this Winchester Model 1876 is excellent. The action cycles smoothly, the hammer locks crisply at each notch, and the trigger breaks cleanly. The rifle remains fully operational and reflects the robust design that made the Model 1876 a trusted companion on the American frontier.
History
The Winchester Model 1876 Octagon Barrel in .40-60 caliber was a large-bore, lever-action rifle introduced in 1876 as the "Centennial Rifle". This model was designed for big game hunting, featuring a stronger action than the earlier Model 1873 to handle cartridges like the .40-60 WCF. Key features often included a 28-inch octagon barrel, a full-length magazine tube, and a crescent buttplate.
Key features
- Caliber: .40-60 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)
- Barrel: 28 inches, with an octagon shape
- Action: Lever-action
Receiver: A larger, stronger action than the Model 1873, designed for bigger cartridges
- Magazine: Full-length tube magazine
- Buttstock: Crescent buttplate and a brass trap for a cleaning rod
Historical context
- "Centennial Rifle": The model was named the "Centennial Rifle" because it debuted in 1876, the 100th anniversary of American independence.
- Market positioning: It was marketed as a more powerful rifle than the Model 1873, specifically for big game and long-range shots.
- Production and discontinuation: Approximately 63,800 Model 1876s were produced between 1876 and 1897, and it was discontinued in 1898.
- Legacy: The Model 1876 demonstrated the commercial viability of large-bore lever-action rifles and paved the way for later models like the 1886 and 1895. It also gained a reputation as a powerful rifle, used by groups like the North West Mounted Police.
