Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 974135
Year of Manufacture: 1928 / C&R
Caliber: .32-20 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 20", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Redfield blade pinned to a raised block integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a ladder sight dovetailed to the barrel presenting a fixed u-notch when down and a sliding u-notch when up. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks display modest handling wear. There are scratches, nicks, and compressions. There is a small crack in the wrist at the left side of the upper tang. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate patina with surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. There is some minor scattered erosion intermittently throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning on the leading edges and at the muzzle, intermittent oxidation, and patina. Most of the receiver has worn to white and taken to a light patina. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as refinished.
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: Winchester’s Model 1892 was John M. Browning’s compact counterpart to the Model 1886, developed to replace the Model 1873 as the company’s principal lever action for shorter, revolver-length cartridges. Light, smooth, and fast handling, the Model 1892 was offered in rifle, carbine, and musket configurations from 1892 through 1941. The .32 W.C.F., commonly known as the .32-20, combined mild recoil with useful accuracy for small game, pest control, and general ranch use.
This late-production Saddle Ring Carbine has the classic 20" round barrel, full-length magazine, barrel-banded forend, ladder rear sight, and carbine-style buttplate. It retains about 60% of its metal finish, with extensive receiver wear, patina, oxidation, and operational marks, while its refinished stocks show honest handling wear and a small wrist crack. The mostly bright 6/10 bore retains defined rifling with scattered erosion, and the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger. Despite its finish wear and refinished wood, this remains a sound and desirable .32-20 carbine with the compact handling and traditional Winchester profile collectors associate with the Model 1892.
