Image: Restored Winchester Model 1876 in .50-95 Express. Featured on the cover of our 2026 Restoration Calendar. Browse more Winchester 1876 restorations in our gallery below.
Winchester Model 1876: Celebrating 150 Years of America’s Centennial Rifle
As 2026 approaches, firearms enthusiasts and historians will mark a milestone few rifles ever achieve: the 150th anniversary of the Winchester Model 1876. Often overshadowed by the more famous 1873, 1886, or 1894 models, the 1876 occupies a singular place in the story of American firearms.
In This Article:
- From Henry to Centennial: An Evolution in Design
- The Cartridges That Made It Legendary
- Variants for Every Frontier Need
- Historical Users
- Artistry and Craftsmanship
- Legacy and Collector Value
- Closing Thoughts
- Winchester Model 1876 Restoration Gallery
- More from this Series
- Share Your Stories
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter
It was the first true “big-game” lever-action from the Winchester factory, a rifle that stretched the toggle-link action first perfected on the Henry Rifle, and a firearm that captured the spirit of a nation celebrating its Centennial.
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As always, we want to hear from you! What are your Winchester 1876-inspired stories? The comment section is open below.
The Henry Rifle, introduced in 1860, set the standard for repeating rifles. Chambered in .44 Henry Rimfire, with a tubular magazine and a smooth lever-action, it was a revolutionary design that inspired a generation of firearms engineers.
By 1876, the Henry’s descendants had proven the concept in the field, yet hunters and frontiersmen demanded a larger rifle capable of handling elk, moose, and even buffalo. The Winchester Model 1876, showcased at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, answered that call.
The 1876 retained the toggle-link lever action at its core but was scaled up to handle longer, more powerful black-powder cartridges. Its enlarged receiver, stronger internal components, and longer lever throw allowed it to safely fire cartridges that the Henry and earlier Winchesters could not.
Some might say that the 1876 was a Henry Rifle stretched to meet the demands of heavy-duty frontier hunting. But like every great story, there’s more to it than what some might say. We’ll be sure to dive deeper in a future article.
The 1876’s real innovation was power. Key chamberings included:
- .45-75 Winchester Centennial – The original, heavy 350-grain bullet over 75 grains of black powder, ideal for elk and buffalo.
- .45-60 Winchester – A lighter load, offering slightly less recoil while still packing serious punch.
- .50-95 Express – Intended for the largest North American and African game, this bottlenecked round solidified the 1876’s “buffalo rifle” reputation.
- .40-60 Winchester – Offered a more manageable recoil while retaining the 1876’s lever-action form factor.
These black-powder cartridges required careful engineering to maintain the rifle’s durability and smooth operation.
Winchester offered the 1876 in several configurations:
- Sporting Rifle – 28-inch barrel, full-length magazine, straight or pistol grip stock.
- Carbine – 22-inch barrel, half-length magazine, saddle ring mounts, compact for cavalry or scouts.
- Musket – 32-inch barrel with three barrel bands, intended for militia or military contracts; only about 700 produced, making it exceptionally rare today.
Every variant was capable of traversing the plains, Rockies, or Canadian frontier with reliability and power.
Image: Theodore Roosevelt with his Winchester Model 1876, customized with a half-round octagonal barrel, pistol grip, deluxe checkered wood, case-hardened receiver and a shotgun-style butt. Explore our gallery for examples of restored Winchester rifles and carbines.
- Theodore Roosevelt – Used a Winchester Model 1876 in .40-60 caliber on Dakota hunting expeditions. While exact decorative details are uncertain, the rifle was a trusted tool during Roosevelt’s early adventures.
- North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) – Acquired approximately 1,261 carbines, serving from 1878 to late 1905, and again from 1907 to 1914. Chambered in .45-75 WCF, these rifles were essential for patrols and law enforcement across the rugged Canadian frontier.
The 1876 bridged the gap between a sporting rifle and a serious big-game arm, proving itself both on the plains and in professional service.
Image: Restored and upgraded Winchester 1876. Featured Ulrich-style scroll with gold wire on hammer and barrel, which would have been used as a factory pattern. Browse more Winchester 1876 restorations in our gallery below.
Winchester recognized that a rifle was both a tool and a statement of innovation. Finishes and engraving options included:
- Standard models: Blued barrel and magazine, with modest finishing elsewhere.
- Deluxe models: Color case-hardened receiver, lever, hammer, and forend cap, often combined with elaborate engraving.
John Ulrich is well-documented as having engraved Model 1876 rifles, including deluxe examples bearing his signature. Conrad Ulrich, also a Winchester engraver, may have contributed to some rifles, though specific examples are less documented.
These options made the 1876 as visually appealing as it was mechanically capable.
Image: A restored Winchester Model 1876 in .45-75, from 1885. This example was a highlight of our showroom collection in 2023. Browse more Winchester 1876 restorations in our gallery below.
Mechanically, the 1876 represents a transitional marvel, bridging the Henry Rifle’s simplicity to the higher-pressure capabilities later achieved in Browning’s Model 1886. Collectors prize the 1876 for:
- Historical significance in frontier America
- Provenance, including connections to Roosevelt and the NWMP
- Rarity, especially musket and carbine variants
- Artistry, including deluxe finishes and engravings
While a standard Model 1876 may average relatively modest sums, rare deluxe or historically significant examples can reach five- to six-figure amounts.
At Turnbull Restoration, we honor the ingenuity and craftsmanship of 19th-century Winchesters. The 1876 reminds us of the precision, artistry, and innovation that laid the foundation for the rifles we restore today. As the rifle approaches its 150th anniversary in 2026, it stands as a testament to American ingenuity and the enduring appeal of the lever-action design — a bridge from Henry to Centennial, and from frontier necessity to collector’s treasure.
Image: Restored Winchester Model 1876 in .50-95 Express. Featured inside our 2026 Restoration Calendar. Browse more Winchester 1876 restorations in our gallery below.
The Winchester Model 1876 may not be as universally famous as the 1873 or 1894, but it remains a symbol of a pivotal moment in American history: the nation’s Centennial, the expansion westward, and the evolution of the repeating rifle. From the toggle-link action of the Henry Rifle to service with hunters, frontiersmen, and lawmen, the 1876 left an enduring legacy — one that continues to captivate collectors and historians alike.
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