Winchester Model 1892 Takedown 24” .44 WCF Lever Rifle Antique Turnbull
SOLD FOR: $4,076.00
LSB#: LSB251006RB006
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Takedown
Serial Number: 51142
Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.”. The top of the chamber is marked “44 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel and receiver are both marked with Winchester WP proofs. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 24”, Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a Marbles style semi buckhorn sight dovetailed into the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with forend cap, straight grip, straight comb and steel rifle-style buttplate. The stocks have a few dings from prior to refinish as noted in the Turnbull letter. 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 been colorcased. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine to Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. The bore has very minor wear visible. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. This rifle has been refinished by Turnbull Restoration and has the work order detailing what was done. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent 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: Winchester Letter from Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Turnbull Restoration work order.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1892 is one of John Moses Browning’s most elegant and mechanically refined lever action designs, developed as a stronger and more compact successor to the Model 1873. Introduced in the early 1890s, the Model 1892 was engineered to handle higher pressures while retaining smooth operation and excellent balance. By 1895, when this takedown example was manufactured, the rifle had become a trusted companion for ranchers, hunters, and settlers who valued reliability and portability, with the takedown configuration offering added convenience for transport and maintenance.
Chambered in .44-40 Winchester, the rifle is paired with one of the most iconic cartridges of the American frontier. Introduced in 1873, the .44 WCF earned widespread popularity for its versatility, manageable recoil, and effectiveness on game and for general utility. The 24 inch octagon barrel provides classic proportions and steady handling, while the tubular magazine and lever action deliver the smooth cycling for which the Model 1892 is renowned. The Marbles style semi buckhorn rear sight reflects a traditional sporting setup consistent with period use.
This rifle has been professionally refinished by Turnbull Restoration, retaining approximately 99 percent of its metal finish and presenting with vivid color case elements and deep, even bluing. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only very minor wear visible, rating 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The checkered walnut stocks show only a few minor dings noted prior to refinish and remain free of chips or cracks, presenting in Fine to Excellent condition with a measured length of pull of 12 3/4 inches. Markings are clear, and the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger and half cock safety. Accompanied by a Winchester factory letter from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Turnbull Restoration work order, this Model 1892 stands as a beautifully restored example of one of Winchester’s most desirable antique lever rifles. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! MF
