The accompanying factory letter lists this carbine with a sporting leaf sight and "lid" (likely referencing the dust cover) when received in the warehouse on May 2, 1878 and shipped nearly a year later on April 25, 1879 on order number 15203. The gun's serial number is listed on page 184 in "Arms & Accoutrements of The Mounted Police, 1873-1973" by Phillips and Klancher as one of the Winchester Model 1876 Mounted Police arms. The Model 1876 carbine served with the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) from 1878 to late 1905 and then again from 1907 to 1914 and was the official shoulder arm for the NWMP during the North-West Rebellion and the Yukon gold rush era, with about 1,261 having been purchased. The second model receiver has a dust cover guide rail attached with two screws. The dust cover has a checkered "thumbprint" oval. The barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking and is fitted with blade and folding ladder sights. The carbine correctly lacks caliber markings. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876." The lower tang has the serial number. A saddle ring stud with ring is mounted on the left side of the receiver. The right side of the buttstock is stamped with the "NWMP" cartouche. The underside of the stock is stamped "LOF 178," indicating this carbine saw use by the Legion of the Frontiersmen. The LOF was a paramilitary group formed by former North-West Mounted Policeman and Boer War veteran Roger Pocock in 1905 to prepare the British Empire for a feared invasion. The group established local chapters throughout the empire and helped fill the ranks of many units during the First World War. One of the organization pages proudly proclaims that "Frontiersmen were among the very first Britons to go into battle against Germany in 1914." The Frontiersmen unit the 25th Service Battalion Royal Fusiliers based from London served in North Africa and was mainly made up of middle aged or older men of various backgrounds including a circus clown, millionaire, big game hunters and even some American cowboys. The organization remains active as a non-profit disaster relief organization.

Very good, retaining a patch of faded original blue finish around the rear sight, otherwise the carbine has a smooth brown-gray patina. The good wood shows surface chipping mostly on the forearm, couple hairline stress cracks, dings and scratches associated with a heavily used NWMP working gun. The stock markings are clear. Mechanically excellent. Model 1876 North-West Mounted Police/Legion of Frontiersmen carbines are rarely encountered and are often missing from even the most advanced lever action collections. A must have for serious Winchester collectors looking to complete their collections.