Make: Winchester
Model: 1892 Rifle
Serial Number: 508771
Year of Manufacture: 1909 / C&R
Caliber: .25-20 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a piece of bone set between a metal base, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch sight with elevation screw, dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, none present. The sights are not original.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine style buttplate. The left side of the wrist has a long crack that starts at the tip of the tang and reaches toward the belly of the buttstock. There is another crack on the left side of the wrist at the receiver. There are a few nicks, scratches, and compressions. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There is erosion on the heel and toe. The stocks have been sanded and finished, including the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Poor - Fair condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The metal is original. The stocks have been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is dull and the rifling is defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is modest erosion down the length of the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to a mottled dark patina. There are scratches, nicks, dings, and scuffs throughout. There are areas of fine pitting. 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 Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half cock safety that trips with a light squeeze of the trigger and sets when slightly pulling back the hammer. 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 1909 and chambered in .25-20 WCF. This rifle is in Fair condition showing honest age and use over the past century. 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.
