Winchester Model 1892 92 .38-40 W.C.F. 24” Octagon Lever Action Rifle 1907
SOLD FOR: $1,385.00
LSB#: LSB250521GJ067
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 392894
Year of Manufacture: 1907
Caliber: .38-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action, Full-Length Tubular Magazine Fed
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN.U.S.A.PATENTED OCTOBER 14.1884.” and “38 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel and chamber ring are marked with Winchester WP proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “392894”.
Barrel Length: 24” Nominal, 24 ¼” Measured, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch elevator semi-buckhorn sight dovetailed to the barrel. The tang is mounted with a Marble’s tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth gumwood with straight grip, straight comb, steel crescent buttplate, and capped forend. There is a repair in the wrist. There is scattered handling wear and compressions throughout. There is scattered finish loss. There are no notable cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The stock rates in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color Hammer & Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined though shallow. There is modest erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to white. There is some blue reserved on the barrel and upper portion of the magtube. There is intermittent erosion and oxidation. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique. Overall, this rifle rates in Fair 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 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 Model 1892 rifle with a 24” Octagonal barrel was made in 1907 and is chambered in .38-40 WCF. Though the buttstock has been removed and the top tang modified, this will be a great restoration project for the range. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
