^Lot 3089 VERY NICE FRESH TO MARKET WINCHESTER 1876 FIRST

MODEL LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 45-75 WCF. S# 1932. Bbl. 28" rnd. This First model rifle with factory added rail & dust cover has never been offered in the public market. Initial production of the model 1876 "Open Top" greatly outpaced demand, it is not uncommon for rifles to have remained at the factory for years before they were actually shipped out. During this time, Winchester had begun standardizing the screw on dust cover rail & dust cover with this update performed on a number of 1st model rifles right at the factory. Letter would state "Lid Added". Front sight has a period correct bone blade, graduated leaf rear sight, with mid-range thick base Vernier tang sight. Full length mag. Single set trigger. Large oval thumbprint dust cover, with screw fastened rail. Blue finish, with case colored hammer and lever. Walnut forearm and straight grip stock, with crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. Mfg. in 1877. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 5-piece cleaning rod held in stock compartment. CONDITION: bbl. and mag. tube have largely faded to gray/brown, with spots of very light pitting. Action retains 60% original blue showing spots of flaking and surface corrosion, with scratches and handling marks. Lever shows traces of case colors. Wood has nice original finish, showing scattered light scratchesand marks. Mechanically fine. Bore retains good rifling, showing small spots of very light pitting. (01-27086/DS). ANTIQUE. $6,000-7,500.