Those enamoured of the '76 would do well to find and read "Cowboy Cavalry" by Gordon Tolton. It's about the irregular cavalry units raised for the 1885 Rebellion in western Canada.
Recruits were equipped with a saddle (if they needed it) and a Winchester '76 carbine, I presume the civilian version of the carbine issued to the NWMP.
Many were American Cowboys already in Canada and others were on the lam from justice, all taking the oath of allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. When the fracas was over with hardly a shot fired in anger, they were given a land grant and the 1885 Rebellion medal.
Our good friend "Rattle Snake Jack's" persona is one of those historic characters and he is quite knowledgeable of the era and the guns thereof.