The included factory letter lists this rifle as received by the warehouse on March 5, 1884, and shipped on the same day as part of order number 10118 in rifle configuration in express caliber with a 22 inch round barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock with shotgun butt, 1/2 magazine, casehardened receiver, and "inside finish" as detailed in the included factory letter. The rifle has the Third Model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated rear edges. British "crown/V", "crown/GP" and "lion/UBP" proofmarks are stamped along the left side of the barrel below the rear sight, and a "crown/V" proofmark is stamped on the top of the receiver. The barrel has a standard sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a sporting style buckhorn rear sight. The barrel, dust cover and loading gate are blued, and the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The fancy grain walnut stock and forearm have a high polish piano finish. The bottom of the pistol grip has an ebony inlay. The top of the dust cover is factory hand-engraved: "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/50 CAL. 95 GRS." in two-lines. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. The caliber designation: ".50/CAL." is marked on top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The model designation: "{ MODEL 1876.}" is stamped in fancy letters on the upper receiver tang with foliate devices at either end. "50-95" is stamped in script numerals on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The serial number is stamped in small script numerals across the bottom of the lower tang behind the lever latch. The combination of 22 inch short rifle barrel, express cartridge chambering, casehardened receiver and deluxe pistol grip stock and forearm is very rare.

Exceptionally fine. The rifle is all original and retains 75% of the blue and 80% casehardened finish. The blue finish on the top of the barrel is thin and has traces of plum-colored aged patina. The barrel legend, proofmarks and caliber markings are clear. The dust cover and loading gate have 95% of the blue finish, and the dust cover markings are sharp. The receiver retains 95% of the original fiery case colors with minimal handling wear. The case colors on the forearm cap, hammer, trigger and lever show minimal wear. The finish on the buttplate is worn, and the buttplate has a dove-gray patina with traces of light pitting. The stock and forearm are excellent overall. The forearm shows slightly more wear than the stock with a few minor handling marks. The stock has several light dents and blemishes on the lower left side between the pistol grip and the buttplate. The checkering on both the forearm and pistol grip remains in excellent condition with only light handling wear. The stock and forearm retain nearly 95% of the original high polish piano finish. This is an exceptional example of a scarce and very desirable deluxe Winchester Model 1876 Express rifle with 22 inch barrel manufactured for the British market.