Winchester

Winchester Model 1876 Buffalo Rifle

• .45-60 caliber (this caliber was introduced in the 1876 rifle and developed for big game hunting such as buffalo)
• Made in 1881
• 28" heavy octagon barrel with areas of bluing remaining
• Rear buckhorn sight
• Action has traces of blue in recessed areas otherwise silver patina
• Dust cover present
• Bore has lands and grooves present with some shine
• Forend has normal handling marks and indentations 
• Straight grip butt stock with normal handling marks present
• Wood fit to tang and metal is nice and even
• Crescent butt plate with cleaning rod door present
• Barrel marking is very crisp and says "Winchester Repeating Arms, New Haven CT Kings Improvement Patented MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860"
• Action functions well
• This rifle was present at the end of the period known as the "Great Slaughter" in 1820-1880s where the Buffalo population was reduced from estimated 30-60 million to fewer than a 1000 in the 1890s. This rifle was definitely used during this time
• This was the largest frame lever action that Winchester ever made
• 1876 action was a heavier frame rifle designed to handle more powerful cartridges than its predecessors like the 44-40 and 38-40
• The .45-60 caliber became a popular choice for hunters in the American west
• Barrel has a small area on top middle of pitting possibly from blood the rest is good
• Magazine tube is in great condition with some traces of bluing
• All screws on rifle have clean slots that have not been burred and appear original
• This rifle was also popular the the NW mounted police in Canada and used for large game such as Grizzly
• The Mounties adopted it enhancing the rifles reputation for reliability
• This type of rifle was also owned and used by Teddy Roosevelt further cementing it's place in history (known to be the first rifle he purchased for himself at the age of 22)
• Total production of 63,871 of these rifles were made
• Sometimes referred to as the centennial model
• Serial number 21000xx