Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine 20” .32 WCF Lever Rifle 1927 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,100.00
LSB#: LSB251002RS010
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 982692
Year of Manufacture: 1927
Caliber: .32-20 W.C.F
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-MODEL 92-”, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”, “-32 W.C.F.-”. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / –NEW HAVEN.CONN.-”. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / –TRADE MARK– / -MADE IN U.S.A.-”. The top of the barrel and receiver are each marked with the Winchester WP proof.
Barrel Length: 20”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a raised block integral to the barrel.The rear sight is a ladder sight dovetailed to the barrel presenting a fixed u-notch when down and a sliding u-notch when up. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks display modest handling wear with scratches and compression dings typical of its age. There is minor oil staining around the receiver. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate patina with surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with defined rifling. There is some minor scattered erosion intermittently throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning on the leading edges and at the muzzle, intermittent oxidation, and patina to mostly brown. Most of the receiver has lost most of its bluing and taken to a light patina. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fair to Good 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: The Winchester Model 1892 is one of John Browning’s enduring lightweight lever-action designs, created to chamber the popular pistol-class cartridges of its day while offering the speed and handling that made Winchester famous. By 1927, when this saddle ring carbine was produced, the ’92 had become a trusted companion on ranches, farms, and in saddle scabbards across the American West. The 20-inch round barrel, barrel band forend, and classic saddle ring configuration all speak to a rifle built for quick use on horseback and on foot—compact, responsive, and reliable in the demanding environments where it first earned its reputation.
Chambered in .32-20 WCF, the rifle represents one of the quintessential light sporting cartridges of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally introduced in 1882, the .32-20 offered accuracy, mild recoil, and enough power for small game, varmints, and ranch work, making it a favorite among homesteaders and outdoorsmen who valued versatility in a single, easy-handling firearm. The bore on this carbine shows darkening and intermittent erosion yet retains defined rifling, a characteristic frequently encountered on well-used carbines that spent decades in the field rather than tucked away in storage.
The exterior condition likewise reflects an honest working life, with the receiver worn to patina and the remaining finish showing thinning and operational wear consistent with frequent carry. The wood remains solid and serviceable, preserving the correct saddle-ring carbine profile that has become iconic in American firearms history. Together, the rifle’s features, chambering, and authentic field wear present a vivid example of the Model 1892 during its working years—an evocative piece from the closing chapters of the Old West and an enduring symbol of Winchester’s craftsmanship in the early 20th century. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF/MA
