Winchester Model 1892 24” Octagon .44-40 WCF Lever Rifle, 1893 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,413.00
LSB#: LSB250601SP161
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 10423
Year of Manufacture: 1893 (Factory Letter)
Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 24? Nominal, 24 1/4? Measured, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator semi-buckhorn sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth wood with straight grip, straight comb, steel crescent buttplate, and capped forend. The stocks have modest handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. The stocks rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color Hammer & Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. There is light to modest erosion throughout the bore, concentrated in the midlength. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to white and taken to a light to dark mottled patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and some minor erosion. 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 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: The Winchester Model 1892 rifle and carbine replaced the toggle link action of Winchester’s 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” octagon barrel, made in 1893 and chambered in .44-40 Win. This rifle is in Very Good condition with strong mechanics and a decent bore. There is some finish remaining and the rifle shows honest wear consistent with its age. 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 on your bid! – L.S.
