Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 193499
Year of Manufacture: 1902, C&R
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester Center Fire, .44 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle fed by full-length magazine tube.
Barrel Length: 24 1/4". 24" nominal. Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight leaf is removed and the center to the sight below the notch is cracked. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks show scattered handling wear. There is a crack on the top left edge of the forend. There are scratches, compressions, nicks, bruises, and minor scrapes. The stocks have been refinished. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear at the heel and toe with some minor surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well-defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is erosion and scattered pitting throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Most of the receiver has worn to white with intermittent erosion and fine pitting, primarily at the top. Most of the remaining finish is held in the barrel and magazine tube. There is finish loss and thinning on the leading edges. There is light intermittent oxidation. The case color has muted with faint figuring preserved in the protected areas. There are scattered nicks, scratches, and dings. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in 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 was John M. Browning’s compact counterpart to the larger Model 1886, combining a strong dual-locking-bolt action with the revolver-length cartridges already popular among American sportsmen. The traditional 24-inch octagonal-barrel rifle was one of the model’s most handsome and practical configurations, while the .44 W.C.F. chambering offered greater authority than the smaller cartridges and allowed shooters to pair a rifle and revolver chambered for the same ammunition. Manufactured in 1902, this rifle dates to the height of Winchester’s prewar sporting-rifle production and embodies the classic lines collectors associate with the early Model 1892.
This rifle retains about 15% of its original finish, with the strongest remaining blue found on the octagonal barrel and magazine tube and the balance displaying an even, well-aged appearance. Its refinished walnut stocks retain their classic profile and remain solid overall, with scattered handling marks and a small crack along the upper edge of the forend. The gray bore retains well-defined rifling and rates 5/10, while the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger. With its desirable .44-40 chambering, full-length octagonal barrel, crescent buttplate, and turn-of-the-century manufacture, this is an appealing early Winchester with honest character and strong display presence.
