Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892
Serial Number: 868865
Year of Manufacture: 1919 / C&R
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 24 1/4? (24? nominal), Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch elevator sight, dovetailed to the barrel. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forearm, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have several minor scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 worn to white and has scattered oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light scattered erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. Most of the finish on the receiver has taken to a dark mottled patina. The barrel and magtube hold a good amount of their blue with intermittent oxidation and patina. There are scattered scratches. There is thinning on the leading edges. There is old grease on the components and rear sight. The screw heads range from sharp to tooled with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is 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: John M. Browning’s Winchester Model 1892 condensed the strong, twin-locking-bolt system of his Model 1886 into a lighter action suited to revolver-length cartridges. The .32-20 W.C.F. was among the model’s original chamberings and became a popular choice for small game, varmints, and general ranch use, offering light recoil and greater versatility than a rimfire. This 1919 rifle retains the traditional sporting configuration with a 24" round barrel, full-length magazine, straight-grip walnut stocks, capped forearm, and crescent buttplate.
This rifle retains about 50% of its original blue finish, with particularly good coverage remaining on the barrel and magazine tube, while the receiver has developed a dark, mottled patina. Its walnut stocks remain in Very Good condition with scattered handling marks and no chips or cracks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and scattered erosion, rating 6/10, and the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger and half-cock safety. Its original finish, classic round-barreled rifle configuration, and honest working condition make it an appealing representative Winchester for the collector who appreciates well-preserved, field-used lever actions.
