Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1892 Rifle

Serial Number: 301707

Year of Manufacture: 1905, C&R

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32-20 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action, 1/2 Length Tubular Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 24 1/4" (24" nominal), Half Octagonal, Half Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman Beech sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The tang is installed with a Lyman peep sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. There are scattered handling marks. There is a repaired crack that travels the length of the forend from the cap to the receiver along the bottom. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some wear at the heel and toe with some minor surface erosion. Overall, the stocks rate in Good condition as repaired and refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Most of the remaining finish is original. Worn areas have been treated with cold blue. The bottom of the receiver is stamped, "H.A.M." for Winchester Collector Harold A. McCallum.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered erosion throughout. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its finish. Most of the original blueing is strong and complete. There are some worn areas on the barrel and receiver with some notable pitting that have been treated with cold blue. There are infrequent small spots of oxidation and erosion. The action shows light operational wear. There are takedown marks on the bottom of the barrel. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. The bottom of the receiver is stamped H.A.M. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. 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 1892 is essentially a Model 1886 action which was miniaturized for use with pistol caliber cartridges. Just as the 1886 would replace the 1876, the 1892 would replace the 1873. As the 1886 was designed by John Browning, it was not difficult for him to develop the 1892. After boasting to Winchester that he would have a prototype within a month, he actually had a functioning prototype in only two weeks. The 1892 would go on to be very successful commercially and can be seen in a wide variety of classic Western films.

This example is a Winchester Model 1892 Rifle made in 1905. The rifle is chambered in .32-20 Winchester and has a 24" half octagonal barrel. The .32 W.C.F. was initially introduced as a black-powder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer. It was once a popular round for hunting small-medium game as well as for defense. Notably, this rifle is stamped H.A.M. for notorious Winchester collector Harold A. McCallum who began marking his guns after a significant portion of his collection was stolen. This rifle should be of interest to the Winchester collectors and may still prove to be a fun shooter.