Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 862281

Year of Manufacture: 1919 / C&R

Caliber: .25-20 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever action with full-length tubular magazine.

Barrel Length: 20", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding carbine style ladder sight, dovetailed to the barrel. The upper tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, with a steel carbine buttplate. There is modest handling wear. There are scratches, nicks, and compressions. There is a minor crack on the left side of the wrist at the receiver. The LOP is 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The plate has intermittent corrosion and wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its original finish. Most of the finish on the receiver and forend band has been cleaned bright at the front. There is saddle ring wear on the side of the receiver. The barrel, magtube, and rear of the receiver hold most of the remaining finish with intermittent thinning. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. 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 John M. Browning-designed Winchester Model 1892 was introduced as a compact counterpart to the Model 1886, retaining its strong dual-locking-lug action while being scaled for Winchester’s smaller pistol-class cartridges. In saddle-ring carbine form, the Model 1892 combined a handy 20-inch round barrel, full-length magazine, carbine sights, and straight-grip furniture in one of Winchester’s most recognizable configurations. Chambered in .25-20 W.C.F., this example reflects the Model 1892’s considerable utility as a light-recoiling small-game, ranch, and recreational rifle.

This carbine retains about 50% of its original blue finish. The refinished stocks show scratches, nicks, compressions, and a minor wrist crack, while the carbine buttplate exhibits corrosion and wear. Its bright 9/10 bore has sharp rifling and no erosion, and the action, crisp trigger, and half-cock safety function correctly. With its desirable .25-20 chambering, excellent bore, and classic Winchester saddle-ring configuration, this remains an appealing example for the Model 1892 collector.