Winchester Model 1892 92 24″ Octagonal .44-40 WCF Lever Rifle, 1903 C&R

Sold for $3325.00

LSB#: 220625DM020

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1892 Rifle

Serial Number: 231062

Year of Manufacture: 1903

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED OCTOBER 14. 1884.” in front of the rear sight and at the rear with “44 W.C.F.”. The underside of the receiver is marked “231062” at the front. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. OCT. 14. 1884”.

Barrel Length: 24 1/4″ (24″ nominal), Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, capped semi-pistol grip and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scrapes and scratches. There is a deep gouge in the left of the buttstock with another deep hole in the right. There are no chips or cracks. There is some residue around the edges on the metal and the wood is shy to the buttplate at the toe, likely indicating that the stocks have been refinished. The wood has darkened with age and oil. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with some minor erosion at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear in the barrel and receiver with most worn areas gone to a light patina. There is some minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1892 Rifle made in 1903 and chambered in .44-40 Winchester. This rifle is in Good-plus condition with 60% of its original finish remaining. The bore shows some erosion, but is quite good considering the rifle’s age. The mechanics are strong. This vintage rifle has seen some honest wear over the last 119 years but is in very good mechanical condition. The .44-40 Win. cartridge was a very popular cartridge which dates all the way back to the Model 1873. With its original finish and pre-1964 manufacture date, this rifle should be of interest to the Winchester collectors and with its strong mechanics, it could be restored and taken back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!