Winchester Model 1892 Takedown 24″ .32-20 WCF Lever Rifle, MFD 1894 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2502
LSB#: 230401WL009
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Takedown Rifle
Serial Number: 44079
Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32-20 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed, Takedown
Barrel Length: 24″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is german silver blade slotted to a 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 with the notch 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 scattered light nicks and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a thin crack at the left-front of the forend. There are no chips. 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 with scattered discoloration from oxidation and some spots of erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color Hammer & Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some spots of light pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has some scattered light wear with a patch of more notable wear over the front of the forend. The magazine tube has some strong finish on the “top” (when the magazine is properly torqued in place, with wear from disassembly/reassembly and areas going to a light patina. The receiver has generally strong finish in the flats with some wear on the bottom and in the tangs. These worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. The barrel extension shows wear and has some erosion on the left. There are some other scattered spots of minor erosion, as well as several scattered light nicks and scratches. The hammer and lever’s case color still shows figuring in some areas with other areas showing a mottled patina. The action has operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle takes down properly. The barrel has no play to the receiver. 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 Model 1892 rifle and carbine replaced the toggle link action of Winchester’s Model 1873 with a breechblock locked with two rectangular locking bolts that made it much stronger and suitable for the higher pressures of smokeless powder. It was designed by John Browning, and was sort of a scaled-down Model 1886 rifle, the first he designed for Winchester. The Model 1892 rifle was popular with ranchers and later was the rifle of choice for western movies and TV shows, John Wayne used both M1892 rifles and carbines in many of his western movies. The M1892 rifles again became popular in the 1980s with the advent of Cowboy Action shooting, as they were smooth and dependable.
This is a Model 1892 takedown rifle with a 24” octagonal barrel, made in 1894 and chambered in .32-20 Win. The rifle is in Fine condition, retaining much of its original finish and strong mechanics. All Winchester Model 1892 rifles of this vintage are collectable and it takes quite a bit of effort to collect one in every caliber and sub model. This one being a fairly early takedown model will make it a great addition to even advanced collections. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
