Consecutive S/N Special Order Pair of Win Model 1876 Deluxe Lever Action Rifles in 45-60 W.C.F.
Made by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1880 and most likely originally ordered by Edwin C. and John Nichols, prominent brothers from Battle Creek, Michigan. Both men were avid hunters and owned many businesses together and were very politically active in the Battle Creek Area. These rifles were ordered in a group of three possibly meaning there is a third rifle belonging to a friend named Shepard. Rifles were discovered in Pennsylvania by McKean "E" Sales- Smethport Antique Dealer and bought out of a collection that had owned them for over 40 years. This is the first time these rifles have been offered for sale and are possibly a rare one of a kind item, rifles being consecutive serial numbered Deluxe 1876's. Guns are serial numbered 10067 and 10068 and according to accompanying Cody Letters left the warehouse on August 25, 1880 in order number 21563. Both rifles have standard 28" octagon Winchester Steel barrels with sheared front sight and "Sporting Leaf" rear sight with Winchester Address and King's Improvement stamping ahead of rear sight. Rear top flat at breech is marked "Cal 45-60" in italics. Both guns have identical blued full magazines with case hardened Nose caps. Both guns have Second Model case hardened frames with screwed dust cover rail with blued thumb print dust covers. Both frames are fitted with Winchester single set triggers which Madis states in his book "The Winchester Handbook" exist on 4562 rifles made of a total of 63,871 rifles. Both rifles have case hardened pistol grip style levers and case hardened hammers with gun number 10067 having a brass elevator marked "45-60" horizontally and "E.C.NICHOLS" in block letters vertically forming a cross. This marking appears to be a jeweler or local professional engravers work of the period (not confirmed by factory research letter). Rifle 10068 has "45-60" and "JOHN NICHOLS" in script forming a less dramatic cross, which is period but also does not appear to be Winchester (not confirmed by factory research letter). Rifle 10067 is fitted with matching checkered "XX" walnut stock with "Christmas Tree" ebony grip inlay and nickel plated trap door buttplate. Rifle serial numbered 10067 has tang marked under wood on left side stamped with "981" assembly number and "XX" wood type with wood stamped in channel "981" with correct style and matching condition buttplate, but assembly number is "1289". This rifle was also returned for a repair in 1890 under work order number 18406. Rifle serial numbered 10068 has tang marked with assembly number "987" and "XXX" wood type with wood stamped "987" in channel and buttplate stamped "987" at toe. Given the differences not listed in the factory research, is it possible that Edwin (rifle sn 10067) broke his stock and Winchester replaced it with "XX" wood and a mismatched buttplate of similar configuration? Regardless, these two features are scarce options on an 1876 with deluxe wood being according to Madis only on 159 guns, pistol grip on only 152 and plating on only 709 guns. Add to that the fact that these guns are 2 of 27,000 Second Model guns made and that number could be far less, being deluxe guns. Both guns have original Deluxe walnut point pattern checkered forearms. Comes with factory letters with more research needed on work order. One of a kind opportunity to own a rare genuine consecutive Deluxe pair of 1876 Winchesters! LOP: 13-1/4". CALIBER/GA: 45-60. S/N: 10067/10068. FFL: Antique.
Condition
Rifles are similar in condition with rifle 10067 having 90% original barrel blue with light edge wear and some graying near muzzle and on edges. 10067 has 85% fading case colors with wear on carry areas with generous fire blue on loading gate. Tang and lever have faded to a silvery patina. Wood has sharp checkering with some scratches and dings with generous amount of plating on buttplate. Magazine tube is starting to turn a plum patina. Bore has sharp rifling with pitting in lands with strong mechanics. Rifle 10068 has 90% original blue with similar edge wear and frame wear with wood having usage marks and some small scratches. Gun has excellent bores and strong mechanics. This rifle is slightly better and shows just a little more factory finish. Both still maintain collector condition having been used.
Made by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1880 and most likely originally ordered by Edwin C. and John Nichols, prominent brothers from Battle Creek, Michigan. Both men were avid hunters and owned many businesses together and were very politically active in the Battle Creek Area. These rifles were ordered in a group of three possibly meaning there is a third rifle belonging to a friend named Shepard. Rifles were discovered in Pennsylvania by McKean "E" Sales- Smethport Antique Dealer and bought out of a collection that had owned them for over 40 years. This is the first time these rifles have been offered for sale and are possibly a rare one of a kind item, rifles being consecutive serial numbered Deluxe 1876's. Guns are serial numbered 10067 and 10068 and according to accompanying Cody Letters left the warehouse on August 25, 1880 in order number 21563. Both rifles have standard 28" octagon Winchester Steel barrels with sheared front sight and "Sporting Leaf" rear sight with Winchester Address and King's Improvement stamping ahead of rear sight. Rear top flat at breech is marked "Cal 45-60" in italics. Both guns have identical blued full magazines with case hardened Nose caps. Both guns have Second Model case hardened frames with screwed dust cover rail with blued thumb print dust covers. Both frames are fitted with Winchester single set triggers which Madis states in his book "The Winchester Handbook" exist on 4562 rifles made of a total of 63,871 rifles. Both rifles have case hardened pistol grip style levers and case hardened hammers with gun number 10067 having a brass elevator marked "45-60" horizontally and "E.C.NICHOLS" in block letters vertically forming a cross. This marking appears to be a jeweler or local professional engravers work of the period (not confirmed by factory research letter). Rifle 10068 has "45-60" and "JOHN NICHOLS" in script forming a less dramatic cross, which is period but also does not appear to be Winchester (not confirmed by factory research letter). Rifle 10067 is fitted with matching checkered "XX" walnut stock with "Christmas Tree" ebony grip inlay and nickel plated trap door buttplate. Rifle serial numbered 10067 has tang marked under wood on left side stamped with "981" assembly number and "XX" wood type with wood stamped in channel "981" with correct style and matching condition buttplate, but assembly number is "1289". This rifle was also returned for a repair in 1890 under work order number 18406. Rifle serial numbered 10068 has tang marked with assembly number "987" and "XXX" wood type with wood stamped "987" in channel and buttplate stamped "987" at toe. Given the differences not listed in the factory research, is it possible that Edwin (rifle sn 10067) broke his stock and Winchester replaced it with "XX" wood and a mismatched buttplate of similar configuration? Regardless, these two features are scarce options on an 1876 with deluxe wood being according to Madis only on 159 guns, pistol grip on only 152 and plating on only 709 guns. Add to that the fact that these guns are 2 of 27,000 Second Model guns made and that number could be far less, being deluxe guns. Both guns have original Deluxe walnut point pattern checkered forearms. Comes with factory letters with more research needed on work order. One of a kind opportunity to own a rare genuine consecutive Deluxe pair of 1876 Winchesters! LOP: 13-1/4". CALIBER/GA: 45-60. S/N: 10067/10068. FFL: Antique.
Condition
Rifles are similar in condition with rifle 10067 having 90% original barrel blue with light edge wear and some graying near muzzle and on edges. 10067 has 85% fading case colors with wear on carry areas with generous fire blue on loading gate. Tang and lever have faded to a silvery patina. Wood has sharp checkering with some scratches and dings with generous amount of plating on buttplate. Magazine tube is starting to turn a plum patina. Bore has sharp rifling with pitting in lands with strong mechanics. Rifle 10068 has 90% original blue with similar edge wear and frame wear with wood having usage marks and some small scratches. Gun has excellent bores and strong mechanics. This rifle is slightly better and shows just a little more factory finish. Both still maintain collector condition having been used.
