Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

stavok on What do you think of this "Legion of Frontiersmen" LOF 1876 Winchester? Would you buy it?

Sat, 16 May 2026 13:44:45 +0000

Chris D said
I would be very happy with that 1876. I would also like to see the RHS of the stock up close.
I have not got my books near me at the moment but would want to check my Yerout 1876 NWMP book.
When you get it, take close up of quailty pictures off the RHS of the stock and post them here.
Chris

Hi Chris,

I would be most appreciative if you were able to check your Yerout if #45417 were listed. If it were listed by serial number that would make a huge improvement on the value of the gun. TIA!

Buck1967 on Winchester Eagle Scout

Sat, 16 May 2026 12:53:20 +0000

Anthony said
Randy,
As a suggestion, since you're on the hunt for a couple more sets of Eagle and Boy Scout matched set's of the commemorative rifle. I'll post a couple that I find so you can contact them and see what else they might have, and in many cases the owners might know where another one, (set), is. Many times these other collectors out there might be able to help, and maybe aren't visitors or posters on the WACA Site!
A couple Boy Scout Rifles listed on Guns International, in the Winchester Commemorative section!
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-commemorative-rifles/winchester-9422xtr-style-commerative-1st-run-boy-scout-75th-anniversary-1985-22-s-l-lr-s-14003-bought-from-original-buyer-letter-of-purchase-in-1985.cfm?gun_id=103526772
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-commemorative-rifles/75th-anniversary-boy-scouts-of-america-39-39-commem-winchester-9422-xtr-lever-action-rifle.cfm?gun_id=102602105
Good Luck,
Tony

The first GI listing the seller is Charlie Hancock out of TN. Just a great, great guy and very well connected. If anyone can find you a matching set it will be him. Call him he will be more than happy to help! Good luck!

Anthony on Winchester Eagle Scout

Sat, 16 May 2026 12:29:56 +0000

Randy,

As a suggestion, since you're on the hunt for a couple more sets of Eagle and Boy Scout matched set's of the commemorative rifle. I'll post a couple that I find so you can contact them and see what else they might have, and in many cases the owners might know where another one, (set), is. Many times these other collectors out there might be able to help, and maybe aren't visitors or posters on the WACA Site!

A couple Boy Scout Rifles listed on Guns International, in the Winchester Commemorative section!

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-commemorative-rifles/winchester-9422xtr-style-commerative-1st-run-boy-scout-75th-anniversary-1985-22-s-l-lr-s-14003-bought-from-original-buyer-letter-of-purchase-in-1985.cfm?gun_id=103526772

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-commemorative-rifles/75th-anniversary-boy-scouts-of-america-39-39-commem-winchester-9422-xtr-lever-action-rifle.cfm?gun_id=102602105

Good Luck,

Tony

Zebulon on Model 71 Coming Up

Sat, 16 May 2026 11:30:36 +0000

When we stop learning and lose our thirst for knowledge, the end is drawing near. I think it's the lack of curiosity that killed the cat; not the other way around.

When my own father lay dying, he had been widowed several years after a 60 year marriage and was ready to leave - he missed my mother terribly.

But he said he wished he could be around to see the new technologies that seemed to be invented daily. He remained curious and inquisitive until he finally lost consciousness.

We are surrounded by two-edged swords. Dad was spared a painful death because of the then new generation of analgesics- oxycontin and oxycodone. Like all such drugs, they've done a lot of harm but I've seen the good they can do and was grateful. Dad could stay awake and read Popular Mechanics but remain pain free.

Chris D on What do you think of this "Legion of Frontiersmen" LOF 1876 Winchester? Would you buy it?

Sat, 16 May 2026 02:15:26 +0000

I would be very happy with that 1876. I would also like to see the RHS of the stock up close.

I have not got my books near me at the moment but would want to check my Yerout 1876 NWMP book.

When you get it, take close up of quailty pictures off the RHS of the stock and post them here.

Chris

cj57 on What do you think of this "Legion of Frontiersmen" LOF 1876 Winchester? Would you buy it?

Sat, 16 May 2026 01:42:26 +0000

I think you got a good deal on this carbine, there shouldn't be back grounds on these or transfer fees. Their just squeezing buyers for every cent they can get. Congrats, nice 76

rogertherelic on Model 71 Coming Up

Sat, 16 May 2026 01:34:02 +0000

I have only actual firsthand knowledge of the Winchester sling that came with my dad's Model 100 Winchester. I was with him in 1961 when he purchased it. It did have the diamond shaped staples. All information I have acquried since then is from outside sourses and that may or not be correct. More than once I have received incorrect information that I accepted as truth. I was just misinformed, maybe not intentially, but misinformed by someone who believed what they were telling me at that time was true. I assumned, since the keepers were stapled with the diamond shaped staples, it was correct. It may not be original to the rifle, I may have misspoken, as I have no positive way to prove that it is original. I will try to be more careful in the future with my descriptions. Thanks for the information you provided. I am still learning and at the age where my remembering sometimes gets confused. RDB

stavok on Would you buy this 1866 Yellowboy?

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:37:39 +0000

Hope we weren't bidding against each other! Don't get me started on The Shootist. I made a special trip there to view the guns before the auction. I had prior agreement from the auction company and from an employee to see the guns. I get there and the owner James rudely informs me; "it aint gonna happen". Said he didn't care I drove 100 miles and that I had made prior arrangements and seemed angry about the whole deal like he wasn't happy to charge $120 each to transfer 267 guns. I emailed them this morning and had to call on the phone to beg an email reply confirming they are insisting on background check and 3 day wait for ANTIQUE GUNS! I noticed more than 3/4 of the lots were unsold and despite bids exceeding the low estimate they did not hit the reserve. Who puts a low estimate way below the reserve price?

Buck1967 on Would you buy this 1866 Yellowboy?

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:22:29 +0000

stavok said
Hi,
I won't bore you with the sordid details, but I've had a bad experience before with this FFL handling auctions. Against my better judgement, I won two antique winchester lots and now the FFL is wanting background check, 3 day waiting period, etc... I was already feeling like I overbid on these guns and now I'm wondering if it is worth the hassle.
Would you consider buying this gun given the limited pictures, $3000 price plus expenses, and FFL hassles? Please pick apart what you see and all comments are appreciated. TIA
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/229881662_winchester-model-1866-lever-action-rifle-with-bayonet-englewood-co

The 66’s aren’t my specialty so I’ll let others weigh in but the price is fair assuming nothing is fake on them. I bought 8 rifles last night in that auction and would have bought more but those FFL fees are outrageous. Congrats if you spoke to the FFL today as I could never even get them to answer the phone. If they are shipping to another FFL the background check is BS on top of an already insane $85 transfer fee.

stavok on What do you think of this "Legion of Frontiersmen" LOF 1876 Winchester? Would you buy it?

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:15:45 +0000

Here's the few pictures available.

Condition

Visible wear and oxidation throughout, finish largely worn, wood with scratches and handling marks, mechanical function untested, bore condition unknown.

Description

Winchester Model 1876 lever action rifle chambered in .45-75 WCF, serial number 45417, featuring Round barrel, full-length tubular magazine, and side loading gate, with “Model 1876” marked on the tang and “45-75” marked on the carrier block, barrel marked “Winchester’s Repeating Arms, New Haven, CT, King’s Improvement Patented March 29, 1866, October 16, 1860,” consistent with 1880s production, wood stock displaying attractive grain with handling wear, metal surfaces showing patina and oxidation, overall a classic large-frame Winchester rifle representative of the American frontier era.

stavok on Would you buy this 1866 Yellowboy?

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:11:40 +0000

Here's the pictures. Description is worthless. Pictures are sparse.

Condition

visible patina, finish wear, and surface marks throughout; bayonet shows wear consistent with age; mechanically untested

1873man on Would you buy this 1866 Yellowboy?

Fri, 15 May 2026 23:58:08 +0000

Can't see any details on the gun without signing up. The issue I see is its a musket.

Bob

Zebulon on Model 71 Coming Up

Fri, 15 May 2026 23:56:41 +0000

I've just read the genuine sling furnished with deluxe versions of the models 70, 71, 64, and 52 Sporting was catalogued as the #3260 "carrying strap" although it was a 2 piece leather shooting sling, essentially a narrow (1 inch) version of the 1907 military sling. The keeper loops were fastened together with distinctive blue steel diamond shaped staples, instead of other means. The 3260 sling was entirely without identifying marks.

Roger's sling keepers are fastened with just such blue diamond-shaped staples. However, the hardware should be brass and the one in question appears to be a white plated metal. There should be a single, parallel embossed line running down the outside edges, and there are.

Two out of three and brass was a strategic metal during WWII. My vote is it's the original sling of a well-kept rifle.

stavok on What do you think of this "Legion of Frontiersmen" LOF 1876 Winchester? Would you buy it?

Fri, 15 May 2026 23:43:07 +0000

Hi,

Another one! I won’t bore you with the sordid details, but I’ve had a bad experience before with this FFL handling auctions. Against my better judgement, I won two antique winchester lots and now the FFL is wanting background check, 3 day waiting period, etc… I was already feeling like I overbid on these guns and now I’m wondering if it is worth the hassle.

Would you consider buying this gun given the limited pictures, $3500 price plus expenses, and FFL hassles?

What are the chances it is a righteous LOF gun? (yeah, I know there is not enough pictures but there were no pre auction inspections but that's another story)

Please pick apart what you see and all comments are appreciated. TIA

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/229881723_winchester-model-1876-rifle-45-75-lever-action-serial-45417-englewood-co

Zebulon on Model 71 Coming Up

Fri, 15 May 2026 23:37:36 +0000

Roger, I don't know what to look for on the strap for clues it might be original issue that came as part of the 71 Special style. I've seen them coiled inside the box but have not read who made them and how they might have been marked.

This one looks like a 1907 shooting sling, the one standard for the 1903 Springfield, 1917 Enfield, and Garand M1.

At a guess, Winchester probably changed suppliers at least once and may or may not have had a Winchester part or catalog number put on it. A further guess is that, toward the end of production, as sales slackened, the company may just have bought stock from Redhead or somebody, with nothing to identify the sling with Winchester.

My assumption has always been the same 1" military 1907 style leather shooting sling was furnished with the Model 70 Supergrade, the Model 71 Special and 64 Deer Rifle, and the 52 Sporting Rifle. The ones I've seen had brass keepers.

Anyone with knowledge will please correct me.