Winchester 1892 92 24″ Round .32-20 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1894 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1130
LSB#: 210424MA49
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 49042
Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32-20 Winchester Center Fire)
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 “49042” at the front. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. OCT. 14. 1884.”.
Barrel Length: 24″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is brass beaded blade with a checkered rear face dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top-rear of the sight has been filed at an angle. 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 several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. 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 mostly gone to a moderate patina with scattered light wear and some erosion at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color Hammer & Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. The strongest remaining finish is on the bottom of the receiver around the lever lugs and the top of the magazine tube. There is some scattered finish remaining in the receiver flats, interrupted by light surface oxidation. Most other surfaces have gone to a light-moderate patina. The magazine tube has odd zig-zag patterned wear toward the front. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, tool marks around most screw heads and at the magazine bracket, and infrequent minor erosion. There is some case color visible in the hammer and lever. The action has operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very 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 rifle and carbine replaced the toggle link action of Winchesters 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 rifle with a 24” round barrel, made in 1894 and chambered in .32-20 Win. The rifle is in Very Good condition with strong mechanics, and some of its finish remaining. 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 will make a nice addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!