Winchester Model 1892 .44 WCF 20" Lever Action Carbine
Our Assessment: The 1892 followed the 1886 and is basically its little brother, the same design for pistol calibers. When asked by Winchester to design an improved pistol caliber lever action, John Browning said he would have the prototype completed in under a month or it would be free. Within 2 weeks, Browning had a functioning prototype of the 92. Calibers for the rifle vary and some are custom-chambered. The original rounds were the .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40 Winchester centerfire rounds, followed in 1895 by the new .25-20. This rifle is a saddle ring carbine chambered for .44 W.C.F. Made in 1918, the rifle is in outstanding condition. It retains 97% of its current metal finish with a great bore, strong mechanics and minor wear in the stocks. While the strong bore means that this should still be a great shooter, its high condition will also be of interest to the collectors. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Make: Winchester
Model: 1892 SRC
Serial Number: 861774
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .44 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle w/ Full Length Magazine Tube
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED OCTOBER 14, 1884" and ".44 W.C.F." at the rear. The top of the chamber ring and shank is marked with the Winchester proof. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number at the front and "46" just right of the lever. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1892 / –WINCHESTER– / TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT OFF & FGN." The left side of the receiver appears to be hand scribed "IH" at the front.
Barrel Length: 20"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned in a base fixed at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding U-notch elevator sight with a fixed U-notch in the down position and a U-notch glider in the up position. The elevator graduates from 0 to 20. There is one drilled, tapped, and filled hole on the upper tang.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with a banded forearm, straight grip, straight comb, and a crescent steel buttplate. There are some scattered light nicks and faint draglines throughout with a couple of more notable compressions on the left side of the wrist at the front. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the crescent buttplate. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion and for the age, the bore rates a 9.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There are infrequently scattered little nicks, dings, and freckles of oxidation under the finish throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-Plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
CA LEGALITY: C&R: YES, CA PPT: YES.
RIFLE