Winchester Model 1892 .44-40 20″ Octagon Barrel Lever Rifle 1903 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,001.56

LSB#: LSB251016KS059

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1892 Rifle

Serial Number: 220736

Year of Manufacture: 1903 C&R

Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.

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.-”.  The top of the barrel at the rear is marked “.44 W.C.F”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT.OCT.14.1884”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “220736”. 

Barrel Length: 20” Octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester rifle leaf sight with elevator. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight (none installed).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece wood with straight grip, straight comb, rifle-style buttplate, and capped forend. The stocks have been refinished. There are scattered handling marks, scratches and compression dents throughout. There is a crack at the toe.The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks rate in Fair condition for a refinish. 

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. There is modest erosion throughout the bore with some infrequent heavier pitting. It appears that there was a squib in the bore leading to cutting the rifle back to its current length. There is still a squib line about 1/2″ back from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 2/10 mostly due to the squib line.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its current metal finish. The rifle has been polished in spots. The octagon points have been rounded. There is pitting that has been blued over. The refinish has worn to a mostly brown patina. The screw heads range from tool marked to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are faint but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Fair condition as refinished C&R.

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 Winchester Model 1892 Rifle dates to 1903 and represents a classic small frame lever action from the height of Winchester’s early twentieth century production. Designed by John M. Browning, the Model 1892 was intended to handle pistol length cartridges with exceptional smoothness and reliability, and it quickly earned a reputation as one of Winchester’s finest handling sporting rifles. The 20 inch octagon barrel configuration gives this rifle a compact, well balanced profile while retaining the traditional aesthetics associated with turn of the century Winchester sporting arms.

Chambered in .44-40 W.C.F., this rifle is closely tied to one of the most iconic cartridges of the black powder era, which transitioned successfully into smokeless powder use. The .44-40 was widely favored for its versatility, mild recoil, and effectiveness on small to medium game, as well as its compatibility with revolvers of the period. The bore on this example is mostly bright with defined rifling, but it shows modest erosion and localized heavier pitting. Of particular note is evidence of a past squib, which appears to have resulted in shortening the barrel to its current length, with a visible squib line remaining approximately one half inch back from the muzzle. Due primarily to this condition, the bore rates 2 out of 10.

Overall condition reflects significant use and later refinishing. Approximately 20 percent of the applied metal finish remains, with areas of polishing that have softened the octagon barrel points and blued over pitting, now worn to a predominantly brown patina. The walnut stocks have been refinished and show scattered handling marks, compression dents, and a crack at the toe, placing them in fair condition as refinished. Markings remain faint but legible, and the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger and proper half cock safety. This rifle presents as a heavily used but mechanically functional Winchester Model 1892 that clearly reflects both its early twentieth century origins and the realities of a long working life. Please see our high resolution photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!! MF