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May 14, 2025
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Hi Guys,
RIA has a 1 of 1000 1876 up for auction and I posted the link below. My question is how do they and the WACA database both show this as a First year production if it wasn’t received in the warehouse until Oct of 77 and no data exists on when the serial # was applied per the Cody letter? I’m suspect of RIA’s word smithing after reading so many of your enlightening posts but in this case the WACA date tool backs up their claim. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks, Buck
June 4, 2017
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Buck1967 said
Hi Guys,
RIA has a 1 of 1000 1876 up for auction and I posted the link below. My question is how do they and the WACA database both show this as a First year production if it wasn’t received in the warehouse until Oct of 77 and no data exists on when the serial # was applied per the Cody letter? I’m suspect of RIA’s word smithing after reading so many of your enlightening posts but in this case the WACA date tool backs up their claim. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks, Buck
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4097/11/inscribed-winchester-one-of-one-thousand-model-1876-rifle
I see your point. Perhaps another question is, how can it be a 1 of 1000 if Winchester at s/n 457 hasn’t made 1000 barrels yet? Did they wait until October to test 1000 barrels?
The serial number on a 76 is on the lower tang which is part of the frame unlike the 73. These guns were not assembled in order of serial number. The whole 1 of 1000 was just a marketing idea to enhance the brand. I’m sure RIA spin is much the same, but they do a amazing job of selling. They got us talking about a high ticket gun on the Forum. T/R
April 15, 2005
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Winchester began production of the Model 1876 in late May of the year 1877, with the first delivery to the warehouse taking place on June 8, 1877. The first public announcement for the Centennial Model was in a Winchester leaflet dated August 10, 1877. Therefore, any Model 1876 that letters as being received in the warehouse in the year 1877 is indeed a “first year” gun.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 23, 2009
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And to add further to Bert’s comment there are no Serial Number Application (SNA) ledgers for the Model 1876 at Cody and they likely no longer exist. The SNA ledgers were a separate ledger from the Warehouse Ledgers. If you look on Cody’s website you can find a list of which models the W & SNA records are available for each model at Cody.
That is a well documented 1 of 1000. I imagine if the right players get involved it will likely exceed the top end estimate.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
April 30, 2023
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Maverick said
I imagine if the right players get involved it will likely exceed the top end estimate.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see “almost” double that estimate. They’re going to go loony over it. Pretty gun to say the least.
July 14, 2016
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That is a fine 1876.
I find it interesting that there are still lines in the ‘One of One Thousand’ engraving. They appear to be lines that the engraver used to help with engraving the words in an even line. I know zippo about engraving but that is what it seems like to me. I would have thought these lines would have been polished off prio to it leaving the factory?
I would like to here what others think about this.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
November 9, 2008
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Chris D said
That is a fine 1876.
I find it interesting that there are still lines in the ‘One of One Thousand’ engraving. They appear to be lines that the engraver used to help with engraving the words in an even line. I know zippo about engraving but that is what it seems like to me. I would have thought these lines would have been polished off prio to it leaving the factory?
I would like to here what others think about this.
I think the lines didn’t show when new as the blue was dark and rich and as it aged and thinned they show up like the striations and some later models receivers. Just a thought!
August 27, 2014
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Chris D said
That is a fine 1876.
I find it interesting that there are still lines in the ‘One of One Thousand’ engraving. They appear to be lines that the engraver used to help with engraving the words in an even line. I know zippo about engraving but that is what it seems like to me. I would have thought these lines would have been polished off prio to it leaving the factory?
I would like to here what others think about this.
Actually kind of like that the lines are there, they don’t bother me at all
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
May 2, 2009
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This would be a good question for Pauline if this is what they did to layout the lettering straight.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
June 4, 2017
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It hammered for 675k. They put it on the cover of the catalog and used eight pages in the catalog. RIA is good at what they do, get the money.
I use to figure on their premier auction catalogs if the gun got a whole page they expected it to bring a minimum of 10k. This gun and a lot more blew right past that formula. When you have the condition, originality, and rarity you have the money. T/R
November 19, 2006
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Jeremy P said
Maverick said
I imagine if the right players get involved it will likely exceed the top end estimate.I wouldn’t be shocked to see “almost” double that estimate. They’re going to go loony over it. Pretty gun to say the least.
You called this correctly.
April 30, 2023
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steve004 said
Jeremy P said
Maverick said
I imagine if the right players get involved it will likely exceed the top end estimate.I wouldn’t be shocked to see “almost” double that estimate. They’re going to go loony over it. Pretty gun to say the least.
You called this correctly.
Definitely a pattern forming (or already formed)!
I can’t help but wonder, do many of these all go to individual buyers and are so expensive they have to pick from a niche area or somewhere out there are a few VERY large and VERY expensive collections….I’m guessing the latter. OR….alternatively, there’s a private equity group bankrolling the buying and selling and they’re just leveraging the hype selling of these. 
May 14, 2025
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Jeremy P said
steve004 said
Jeremy P said
Maverick said
I imagine if the right players get involved it will likely exceed the top end estimate.I wouldn’t be shocked to see “almost” double that estimate. They’re going to go loony over it. Pretty gun to say the least.
You called this correctly.
Definitely a pattern forming (or already formed)!
I can’t help but wonder, do many of these all go to individual buyers and are so expensive they have to pick from a niche area or somewhere out there are a few VERY large and VERY expensive collections….I’m guessing the latter. OR….alternatively, there’s a private equity group bankrolling the buying and selling and they’re just leveraging the hype selling of these.
I agree and Great question! I was wondering the same thing myself when they sold the Rifleman’s rifle last year for 600k including the BP! Only other possibility I considered was is it a museum or museums using donor money and thus somewhat then insulated from the cost of overbidding? Easier to spend others people’s money I would think but who knows.
November 7, 2015
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I think it’s individuals with large piles of cash lying around who for whatever reason or reasons prefer collectible firearms over equities, bonds, commodities or art. I can understand that kind of thinking; I get lucky in equities now and then but old Winchesters are soooo much more fun! I’m concerned that the high-end collectibles market is beginning to behave like commodities markets but that may be because I don’t truly understand either. I do know that commodities can be manipulated and suspect the high-end collectibles we enjoy watching could be manipulated as well.
Mike
June 4, 2017
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There was a time that these high price guns were sold at gun shows, you saw the high rollers or their buyers. Gun show gossip kept you informed on who the buyers were, not now at the big auction houses. I don’t even know a collector that is buying 200k to million dollar guns, but I’m sure they exist. T/R
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November 7, 2015
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TR said
There was a time that these high price guns were sold at gun shows, you saw the high rollers or their buyers. Gun show gossip kept you informed on who the buyers were, not now at the big auction houses. I don’t even know a collector that is buying 200k to million dollar guns, but I’m sure they exist. T/R
.
I attended a RIA sale awhile back and the thing that sticks in my mind (besides the awesome eye candy!) is the number of online and phone buyers. I suspect many of them wish to remain anonymous and wisely RIA respects their wishes. It takes the fun out of it for spectators and occasional buyers but they’re in business to sell guns to the highest bidder, not to entertain. Sometimes we’ll hear the comment that the buyer is overseas.
Mike
April 30, 2023
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TXGunNut said
TR said
There was a time that these high price guns were sold at gun shows, you saw the high rollers or their buyers. Gun show gossip kept you informed on who the buyers were, not now at the big auction houses. I don’t even know a collector that is buying 200k to million dollar guns, but I’m sure they exist. T/R
.
I attended a RIA sale awhile back and the thing that sticks in my mind (besides the awesome eye candy!) is the number of online and phone buyers. I suspect many of them wish to remain anonymous and wisely RIA respects their wishes. It takes the fun out of it for spectators and occasional buyers but they’re in business to sell guns to the highest bidder, not to entertain. Sometimes we’ll hear the comment that the buyer is overseas.
Mike
That, and I’ve even watched at smaller auctions folks who clearly are writing someone else’s checks….some deep pockets probably have a buyer, especially if they’re not experts themselves, which many of them are not I bet.
February 17, 2022
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And never forget the wisdom that a good retirement portfolio is a diversified one. At least thats what I keep telling myself when I buy another Winchester!
November 7, 2015
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One interesting observation about the write-up. Story is that one hundred barrels were tested, best barrel was set aside. Ten lots of barrels were tested, the ten best barrels were tested, best became part of a “One of One Thousand”. The other nine barrels were used to build “One of One Hundred” rifles. Why do we not have nine “One of One Hundred” rifles for every ” One of One Thousand”?
Mike
February 17, 2022
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Well if you to spend your money and for, what $4.00 more, I guess go for the gust and get the 1 of 1000. Guess that’s why there are less 1 of 100,s.
BTW, while we are on the subject of 1of 1000’s, they had all these long range sight options and a lot of hoopla about they’re unheard of accuracy right. Has anyone actually ever tried to shoot a 44 or 38 wcf 1000 yard’s? I would love to see that.
