Exceptional and Highly Desirable First Year Production, "Open Top" Frame Special Order Winchester First Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

A highly collectible first-year-production Winchester Model 1876 “Centennial” rifle, this scarce early “open-top frame” example offers the kind of frontier-era significance, factory documentation, special-order features, and high-condition survival that advanced Winchester collectors prize. Manufactured in 1876, the debut year of the Model 1876, it represents Winchester’s powerful “big brother” to the Model 1873 and is especially desirable as an early First Model with no dust-cover provision.

• Manufactured in 1876, the first year of production for the Winchester Model 1876
• Very fine and relatively scarce early “open-top frame” example
  • First Model receiver has no provision for a dust cover
  • Early open-top configuration is especially desirable to Winchester collectors
• Known as Winchester’s “Centennial” rifle, nicknamed for its 1876 year of release
• Designed by Winchester as an enlarged, more powerful version of the already popular Model 1873
  • Essentially the same basic design as the Model 1873, but scaled up for larger and more powerful cartridges
  • Valued historically as one of Winchester’s important frontier-era repeating rifles
• The Model 1876 became popular with those heading west to the American frontier
  • Offered increased power and a sense of security against both known and unknown dangers
  • Provided some of the strongest stopping power available in a repeating rifle at the time
  • Most chamberings were capable of handling some of the largest game in North America, as well as human threats
• Particularly desirable because early-production, standard-configuration Model 1876 rifles often saw hard frontier use
  • Like the Model 1873, many were heavily used in the West
  • Relatively few high-condition examples survive today, adding to this rifle’s collector appeal
• Included factory letter documents the rifle with:
  • Octagon barrel
  • Special-ordered set trigger
  • Received at the warehouse on 18 January 1878
  • Shipped on 8 May 1878
  • Shipped in order number 11779
• Barrel and markings:
  • Octagon barrel, as confirmed by the factory letter
  • Top barrel flat marked with the standard Winchester address and King’s patent marking
  • Correctly lacks caliber markings
  • No caliber marking is correct because .45-75 W.C.F. was the only caliber offered until 1879
• Receiver and serial markings:
  • Early production First Model open-top receiver
  • Model marking located on the upper tang
  • Serial number located on the lower tang
• Matching assembly number details:
  • Assembly number “31” marked on the left side of the lower tang
  • Matching “31” also found in the stock inlet
  • Matching “31” also found inside the buttplate
• Sighting equipment:
  • Fitted with a rare and desirable later-production replacement D.W. King, Denver, Colorado rotating “triple bead” blade front sight
  • Only the ivory bead remains on the front sight
  • Correct 1876-marked folding ladder/adjustable leaf rear sight
• Special-order trigger:
  • Factory special-ordered single set trigger
  • Set triggers are a desirable upgrade that enhance both shooting refinement and collector interest
• Stock and furniture:
  • Smooth forearm
  • Straight grip stock
  • Early-pattern trapdoor “long toe” crescent buttplate

With its first-year 1876 manufacture, scarce open-top First Model receiver, factory-lettered octagon barrel and special-order set trigger, correct early markings, matching assembly-numbered components, and rare D.W. King Denver front sight, this Winchester Model 1876 stands out as an exceptional frontier-era collectible with strong historical and investment appeal.