285 of 1000 Winchester John Wayne 100th Anniversary Limited Edition 1892

SOLD FOR: $5210

LSB#: 230116NH015 & 23011NH016. The features are the same unless otherwise noted.

Make: Winchester

Model: John Wayne 100th Anniversary Model 1892 Two Gun Set, Custom Grade and High Grade

Serial Number: JW100C0285, JW100H0285

Year of Manufacture: 2007

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester Centerfire (.44-40 WCF)

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: JW100C0285: The left of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER Model 1892 John Wayne Custom Grade — Caliber .44-40 Win. ONLY”. The top of the chamber and top of the receiver both have a “WP” proof. The top of the barrel is marked with John Wayne’s signature in gold. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1892”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The right side of the barrel is marked “Made by Miroku – Japan — Imported by BACO, Inc. – Morgan, Utah / Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation”. The sides of the receiver and lever have scroll engraving. The right side of the scroll engraved richly blued receiver displays a portrait of John Wayne holding his trademark Model 92, along with his initials inside a banner that reads “JOHN WAYNE / CENTENNIAL”, and a banner with the words “Courage, Strength, Grit,” the core moral values he embodied. The left side of the receiver features a pair of portraits of Duke along with a banner reading “John Wayne American, 1907-2007.” These limited edition markings are in gold.

JW100H0285: The left of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER Model 1892 John Wayne High Grade — Caliber .44-40 Win. ONLY”. The top of the chamber and top of the receiver both have a “WP” proof. The top of the barrel is marked with John Wayne’s signature in silver. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1892”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The right side of the barrel is marked “Made by Miroku – Japan — Imported by BACO, Inc. – Morgan, Utah / Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation”. The sides of the receiver and lever have scroll engraving. The right side of the scroll engraved coin finish receiver displays a portrait of John Wayne holding his trademark Model 92, along with his initials inside a banner that reads “JOHN WAYNE / CENTENNIAL”, and a banner with the words “Courage, Strength, Grit,” the core moral values he embodied. The left side of the receiver features a pair of portraits of Duke along with a banner reading “John Wayne American, 1907-2007.” 

Barrel Length: 18 1/2? Round

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a brass blade pinned in a base that is set on the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight dovetailed into the barrel. The sight presents a “U”-notch when down and the ladder has a “U”-notched slider when up.

Stock Configuration and Condition: JW100C0285: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with fleur di lis accents, a banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, inlaid John Wayne medallion on the buttstock, and a smooth metal carbine buttplate. The stocks have faint handling marks, no major defects. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has faint handling marks. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.

Stock Configuration and Condition: JW100H0285: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, inlaid John Wayne medallion on the buttstock, and a smooth metal carbine buttplate. The stocks have faint handling marks, no major defects. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has faint handling marks. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: JW100C0285: Blued with Gold Accents. JW100H0285: Blued & Gray Nitride

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores. Both rate 10 out of 10 in my opinion.

Overall Condition: These rifles retain about 99% of their metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, these rifles are in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly on both rifles. We have not fired these rifles. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Each rifle comes with its original limited edition serial matching box, hangtag, paperwork including the manual, and a fitted leather luggage style 100 Years of John Wayne carry case for the Custom Grade rifle.

Our Assessment: This is an attractive pair of commemorative Winchester 1892 carbines in .44-40, manufactured in 2007 to honor John Wayne, America’s favorite cowboy. The John Wayne Custom Grade Model 1892 carbine is adorned with tasteful gold-tone embellishments on a highly polished blued finish. A delicate spade checkering pattern with textured accents decorates the Grade 5/6 satin walnut stock and forearm. The Custom Grade edition was limited to only 1,000 rifles, giving this model enduring collector appeal for generations to come.

The High Grade was is a limited edition of only 4,000 rifles, each highly embellished with delicate scroll engraving and fond reminders of Duke, and are certain to be treasured for generations to come. The decorative markings match its higher grade sibling, though they are not gold plated. The large loop lever is designed for fast action, while the rear carbine ladder sight and brass front blade puts you right on target (should you even shoot these collectibles!). John Wayne’s signature graces the short 18½” barrel on each gun. Wayne specified this barrel length on his personal guns to allow the rifle to be twirled by the large loop finger lever to cycle the action, instantly becoming his western trademark.

The first 1,000 of these impressive High Grade rifles are offered as part of a matched set with the Custom Grade model. This was a two gun set that the previous owner was lucky enough to get and they preserved it immaculately for future generations. No matter if you are a John Wayne fan, a Winchester collector, or just a red-blooded American, these beautiful rifles speak to us all and any collector would be lucky to call them theirs. This is an amazing opportunity so don’t miss out. In the 1972 film, The Cowboys” John Wayne said “a big mouth don’t make a big man” but big birds do make big winners so please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red