Make: Winchester
Model: 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 396769
Year of Manufacture: 1907
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action with side loading gate fed by full length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED OCTOBER 14. 1884.", a Winchester proof in front of the rear sight, and "32 W.C.F." behind the rear sight. The chamber ring also has a Winchester proof. The bottom front of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The top tang is marked "MODEL 1892 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK". The left rear of the buttstock is hand carved with a large number "13".
Barrel Length: 20” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight has broken off, though the base is still dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight grip, and carbine-style steel buttplate. The stocks have heavy damage, cracking, losses, and wear, and retain no finish. There are some nail and staple repairs. The stocks are in Poor condition.
Type of Finish: No finish remains.
Finish Originality: No finish remains.
Bore Condition: The bore is obstructed. What can be observed shows severe erosion, and there is no visible rifling. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates a 0 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This carbine retains 0% of its metal finish. The surfaces have gone to a thick patina showing even erosion. There are scattered marks. The stock mounting screw has been replaced with a bent nail. The loading gate assembly is broken and/or missing. There is some twine wrapped around the tangs to help secure them to the buttstock. The magazine cap, spring, and follower are missing. We were not able to cycle the action. Overall, this carbine is in Poor condition.
Mechanics: The action does not function. We have not fired this carbine. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1892 was introduced as the successor to the iconic “Winchester ‘73”, and replaced the toggle link action of the Model 1873 with a breechblock locked with two rectangular locking bolts that made the action much stronger. It was designed by gunmaking genius John Moses Browning, and was essentially a scaled-down version of his Model 1886 rifle, the first he designed for Winchester. The Model 1892 was small and light, and ideal for the classic .44-40 WCF round and similar pistol caliber cartridges. The Model 1892 rifle was popular with ranchers, and later was the lever action of choice for many Western movies and TV shows. John Wayne famously used both M1892 rifles and carbines in many of his iconic Western roles. The M1892 rifles again became popular in the 1980s with the advent of Cowboy Action shooting, as they were smooth and dependable.
This Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine was made in 1907 and is chambered in .32-20 WCF. This carbine is in Poor condition, but as a relic, it would be great for display in an Old West room, in a saddle scabbard, or in a saloon. Per the consignor, this carbine is associated with “The 13 Ranch” near Christopher Mountain in central Arizona. With the large number “13” hand carved into the left side of the buttstock, as well as its condition, this carbine certainly looks like a piece recovered from a Southwestern desert ranch.
RIFLE