Description

This is a superb example of this hard to find, and relatively rare American under lever repeating rifle.
Manufactured between 1876 and 1898, known as the “Centennial” rifle, the total made …63871.
This example has a serial No. # 15354, indicating it was made in C1882.
All early rifles were only chambered for the 45-75 WCF cartridge, and were not stamped with the Calibre as is the case for this particular rifle.
In fact, a few were marked after 1879, as alternative calibres were, by then, coming into use.
With a standard 28″ octagonal barrel, clearly stamped with the full, early, Winchester Address and Patents.
This barrel retains most original blue finish, turning to plum, with some very light overall speckling. The rear, adjustable leaf/ladder sight is dated 1876.
The rifled bore is superb, and Grade 1.
There is a full length tubular magazine, again retaining a high % of blue finish, turning to plum.
The receiver is of superb, unblemished quality, with a high % of blue finish.
The hammer and under lever are cased hardened.

The sliding dust cover guide is screwed to the top of the receiver.
The 2 piece walnut stock is again, of superb quality, with fine grain, only very minor dings, no cracks, and now to a fine patina of age, retaining virtually all original finish
This is the rarest of all the models of Winchester rifles, and was the last to be made with a series of levers and toggles to operate the mechanism.
It’s successor was the model 1886.