Pre-64 Winchester Model 1892 SRC 16″ .38 WCF Lever Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,917.92
LSB#: LSB260502AH036
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 325064
Year of Manufacture: 1906
Caliber: .38 W.C.F (.38-40)
Action Type: Lever action with full length tubular magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked ” Winchester/ 38 WCF”. The top of the barrel and receiver are each marked with the Winchester Oval WP proof. The bottom front of the receiver is marked with the serial number. Some of the markings are no longer visible and legible.
Barrel Length: 16″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding carbine style ladder sight. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, with a steel carbine buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has been refinished. There is heavy handling and use wear. There are cracks at the wrist. There is chipped and receded wood on the forend. There is weathered and checked wood at the buttstock. There is water staining. There is iron staining in several places. There is a cross carved into the buttstock. Overall this stock is in Poor to Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is defined. There is heavy erosion of the last few inches of the barrel. There is scattered pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 3/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The metal has worn to a gray patina. There are scratches and corrosion stains throughout. There is scattered pitting. There are spots of buffing and scrubbing. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Poor condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly though due to bore condition we do not recommend firing. 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 Saddle Ring Carbine is a historically appealing C&R-eligible lever-action carbine manufactured in 1906 and chambered in .38 W.C.F., also known as .38-40. The 16″ round barrel, full-length tubular magazine, saddle-ring carbine configuration, folding ladder rear sight, and steel carbine buttplate give it strong Old West-era Winchester character. The Winchester proof marks and serial number remain present, though some barrel and receiver markings are no longer fully visible or legible, which is an important collector consideration.
Condition is the primary limitation of this example. The rifle retains virtually none of its original blue finish, with the metal worn to a gray patina and showing scratches, corrosion staining, scattered pitting, and evidence of buffing or scrubbing. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable, and the action reportedly functions correctly with a crisp trigger and half-cock hammer position. However, the bore is a major detractor: it is gray with defined rifling, but there is heavy erosion in the last few inches of the barrel and scattered pitting throughout, rating only 3/10 in the writer’s opinion. Due to the bore condition, firing is not recommended.
The refinished walnut stock is in Poor to Fair condition and shows heavy wear, including wrist cracks, chipped and receded wood on the forend, weathered and checked wood at the buttstock, water staining, iron staining, and a cross carved into the buttstock. These issues significantly reduce both originality and structural desirability, though they also reflect a long and visibly used life. Overall, this is best viewed as a historically interesting but heavily worn Winchester 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine, most suitable as a display, study, or restoration-candidate piece rather than a shooter, with its main strengths being its 1906 manufacture, saddle-ring carbine configuration, .38 W.C.F. chambering, and functioning action, and its main drawbacks being poor bore condition, heavy finish loss, refinished and damaged wood, and overall poor condition. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF