Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1892 Rifle

Serial Number: 517126

Year of Manufacture: 1909

Caliber: .32-20 W.C.F.

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.PATENTED OCTOBER 14.1884”. The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “.32 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with Winchester “WP” proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “517126”.

Barrel Length: 24”, Octagonal.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch flat top semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel, the notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The tang is mounted with a Marble tang sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches.There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the leading edges with scattered scratches. There is oxidation throughout and most of the receiver has worn to white. The case color has almost entirely muted save for traces reserved in the protected areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in 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: This Winchester Model 1892, manufactured in 1909, is a fine example of one of John Browning’s most successful and enduring lever-action designs. Chambered in .32-20 WCF, this rifle would have been ideal for small game, varmints, and medium game at close range—offering light recoil and flat shooting in a handy package. The 24” octagonal barrel, crescent steel buttplate, and full-length magazine tube reflect the classic rifle configuration, while the addition of a Marble tang sight elevates its utility for precise shooting.

Though the receiver has worn to a silvery patina and the bore shows scattered erosion, the rifle retains about 70% of its original blue finish with clearly legible markings and honest wear from over a century of service. The stocks remain solid with no cracks, and the action still cycles properly, a testament to the lasting quality of Winchester’s early 20th-century craftsmanship. For collectors of pre-’64 Winchesters or those looking to own a piece of functional frontier history, this C&R-eligible 1892 remains an attractive, shootable, and increasingly sought-after example of one of America’s most iconic lever rifles.