Rare Antique Winchester Model 1876 Saddle Ring Carbine Lever Action 46-60 mftd 1880 COMPLETE

Description

Collectible 1876 model 45-60 Winchester Lever Action Carbine.

Manufactured in 1880. All original.

The Winchester 1876 Model was a stronger, big-bore lever action celebrating America’s Centennial, and the .45-60 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire) cartridge was introduced for it in 1879 as a shorter, straight-walled version of the .45-70 Government, becoming popular for big game hunting and used by figures like Teddy Roosevelt, though eventually superseded by the even stronger Model 1886 action.
Development & Purpose:
Big Game: Designed to fire more powerful, centerfire cartridges than the earlier Model 1873, making it suitable for large game on the frontier.
Centennial Model: Introduced in 1876 to mark the U.S. Centennial, it was a heavier, more robust action than its predecessors.
The .45-60 Cartridge:
Origin: A shortened, straight-walled version of the .45-70 Government cartridge, designed to cycle through the Model 1876 action.
Nomenclature: “45-60” meant a .45-caliber bullet with 60 grains of black powder.
Popularity: Became quite popular, with brisk sales in its first year after introduction in June 1879.
Key Features & Variants:
Action: A larger, stronger lever-action than the Model 1873 to handle the bigger cartridges.
Models: Available in Carbine, Sporting Rifle, Express Rifle, and Musket configurations.
Dust Cover: Early models lacked a dust cover, but it was added to later versions (Second and Third Models) for better dust protection.
Historical Significance:
Frontier Staple: A dominant big-game lever gun on the Great Plains, favored by hunters, lawmen, and frontiersmen.
Notable Users: Used by President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and figures in the Lincoln County War like Johnny Ringo and Billy the Kid’s ally Charlie Bowdre.
Decline: Its reign ended with the introduction of John Browning’s stronger Model 1886 action, which could handle even longer cartridges like the .45-70.
In essence, the .45-60 Model 1876 was a pivotal Winchester rifle, bridging the gap with more powerful frontier cartridges before the arrival of even stronger designs.

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