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Magnificent Documented Special Order Ulrich Factory Engraved and Signed Winchester Model 1876 Expres

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:120,000.00 USD Estimated At:250,000.00 - 375,000.00 USD
Magnificent Documented Special Order Ulrich Factory Engraved and Signed Winchester Model 1876 Expres
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Magnificent Documented Special Order Ulrich Factory Engraved and Signed Winchester Model 1876 Express Short Rifle with Factory Letter

Special order Winchester Model 1876 Express Rifle manufactured in 1879. This Second Model 1876 Rifle has the dust cover guide that is attached to the receiver by two screws and dust cover with serrated finger guide. The rifle has a blue barrel, bolt, loading gate, dust cover and shotgun buttplate. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer and lever are casehardened. The stock and forearm have a high polish piano finish. The rifle has a special order 22-inch round barrel with matted top and half-magazine. Other special order features include the highly figured fancy grain walnut forearm and pistol grip stock, checkering on the forearm and pistol grip and a steel shotgun buttplate. The pistol grip has an ebony inlay. The barrel has a dovetail mounted sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and a sporting style rear sight with serrated edges. "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN CT." is hand engraved on the top of the barrel to the right of the matting and "KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." is hand engraved on the left side of the matting. ".50 CAL." is hand engraved on the right side of the matting just ahead of the receiver and "95 GRS." is engraved on the opposite side of the matting. The left side of the barrel is stamped with the London "Crown/GP" proofmark followed by "38", a London "Crown/V" and a third British proof. A "Crown/V" inspection mark is stamped on the top of the receiver. The upper tang is roll stamped "MODEL 1876." in fancy letters. The serial number "10923" is stamped in tiny numerals across the lower tang behind the lever latch. The top of the dust cover is hand engraved "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 CAL. 95 GRS." in two lines. "50-95" is engraved on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The top and sides of receiver, upper tang, cartridge elevator, dust cover and sides of the forearm cap are engraved with restrained British style scrollwork with shell designs on the borders. The flawless engraving was executed by Master Engraver John Ulrich. The engraver's signature, "J. ULRICH", is stamped in tiny letters on the lower tang behind the trigger. Winchester rifles with high quality restrained engraving of this type are rare; this rifle clearly reflects British taste in caliber, features and engraving. This particular rifle is illustrated and described on page 243 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" by George Madis. The rifle is accompanied by a very weathered leather case and loading tools. The included factory letter confirms the caliber, round 22 inch barrel, barrel matted, plain trigger, checkered shotgun butt and $5.00 engraving. The rifle was received in the warehouse on Oct. 11, 1880 and shipped on Oct. 14, 1880, order number 21233.

Manufucture: Winchester
Model: 1876
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut checkered
Guage: 50-95 Winchester Express
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 10923

Extremely fine. The rifle has 90% plus of the original blue finish remaining on the barrel with some minor finish loss on the bottom of the barrel at the muzzle. The hand engraved Winchester legend and caliber markings are crisp and the British proofmarks are sharp. The buttplate retains 60% of the high polish blue finish. The blue finish on the dust cover has flaked and 50% remains; the balance is a smooth gray patina. 20% of the blue finish is present on the loading gate; the rest has faded to a blue-gray patina. The casehardened finish on the forearm cap, receiver, hammer and lever is a very attractive mottled silver gray with 50% original case colors remaining. There is some finish loss on the bottom of the lever. The scrollwork is intricate but restrained and the borders are crisp. The markings on the receiver tang, dust cover and cartridge elevator are sharp. The highly figured fancy grain stock and forearm are both excellent and retain nearly all of the high polish piano varnish finish. The fine checkering on the forearm and pistol grip is sharp. Wear is limited to a few very minor handling marks. This is a magnificent example of a rare and highly desirable special order Winchester Second Model 1876 Express Rifle with rare short barrel with matted top and fine scroll engraving executed and signed by Master Engraver John Ulrich.