Winchester 1892 92 24″ Octagonal .32-20 WCF Lever Action Rifle 1897 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1614.89
LSB#: 210217RW40
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 156311
Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32-20 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.” in front of the rear sight and at the receiver with “32 W.C.F.”. The underside of the receiver is marked “156311” at the front. The upper tang is marked (under the tang sight) “MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. OCT. 14. 1884.”.
Barrel Length: 24″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The blade is notched for a bead/insert, but none is present. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman tang sight. The sight is marked “D” on the bottom of the base, with patent dates around the bottom of the folding arm and the sight has a folding aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is discoloration in the handling areas and at the edges of the metal. There are cracks in the buttstock at the rear of each tang and on each side above the toe. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a light patina with some scattered wear and light erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and infrequent minor pitting scattered in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest remaining finish is in the barrel and receiver flats, mottled with light wear and surface oxidation. There is some scattered light erosion, most notable at the muzzle and on the magazine tube. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with tool marks around most screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
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 is a Winchester Model 1892 Rifle made in 1897 and chambered in .32-20 Winchester. This rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique with about 40% of its original finish remaining. The bore shows wear and erosion, but the mechanics are strong. This vintage rifle has seen some honest wear over the last 120 years but is in very good mechanical condition. The .32-20 Win. cartridge was a very popular cartridge in its day which would put food on the table, protect livestock and defend hearth and home. It was once a favorite with farmers, ranchers, pot hunters and trappers. With its original finish and pre-1899 manufacture date, this rifle should be of interest to the Winchester collectors and with its strong mechanics, it could be restored and taken back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!