Winchester Model 1892 Octagonal 24″ .38-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3151
LSB#: 230401WL030
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 201610
Year of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (.38-40 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
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 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 peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some light nicks and small scratches. There is discoloration at some edges, most notable at the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The wood is well fit to the metal and there are no obvious signs of sanding, but has likely been re-oiled. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some wear at the heel and toe with some minor surface erosion, mostly under the finish. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore with a few spots of more moderate pitting. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with some scattered minor nicks and surface erosion, mostly under the finish. There are a couple of small, shallow dents on the magazine tube, they don’t appear as though they will interfere with the magazine follower. There are infrequent small spots of minor oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as refinished.
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: The Winchester 1892 is essentially a Model 1886 action which was miniaturized for use with pistol caliber cartridges. Just as the 1886 would replace the 1876, the 1892 would replace the 1873. As the 1886 was designed by John Browning, it was not difficult for him to develop the 1892. After boasting to Winchester that he would have a prototype within a month, he actually had a functioning prototype in only two weeks. The 1892 would go on to be very successful commercially and can be seen in a wide variety of classic Western films.
This example is a Winchester Model 1892 Rifle made in 1902. The rifle is chambered in .38-40 Winchester and has a 24″ octagonal barrel. The .38 WCF is based on the .44-40 but necked down to about .40 caliber, giving it a little bit higher velocity. It was once a popular round for hunting small-medium game as well as for defense. The rifle has been refinished, so it looks great for its age, and it couldn’t have been too bad when the refinishing was done as the markings are quite well preserved. This rifle should be of interest to the Winchester collectors and may still prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
