Winchester Model 1892 Rifle Made in 1896

This is an early antique production 1892 Sporting rifle in 38-40 caliber, with a 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent rifle buttplate.   Serial number is in the 112,000 range, manufactured in the year 1896.  Overall, this rifle is in NRA Antique Fine Condition with approximately 65% original receiver blue that is thinning and mixing with patina.   The hammer and lever have turned to mostly a brown patina with traces of original case colors visible in protected areas.   The loading port still has 35-40% fire blue around the circumference and in the back of the spoon.   The top of the bolt has some light pitting peppered across the top with 10-15% original blue remaining.  The barrel and magazine tube retain 75% original blue that is thinning with the balance turning to a smooth plum patina.   There is a small area on the left side of the magazine tube near the magazine tube that's been cleaned...now a silver gray patina.   See photo.   Fore-end cap has 25% original blue.  Original sights include the standard semi-buckhorn rear sight with original elevator and standard front sight with German silver blade.   Screws are all in good to very good condition.

This rifle has all of the correct and original early markings and knurlings.  This includes the first style 2-line Winchester barrel address, and caliber designation both located on the top flat of the octagon barrel.   The hammer has the original 2nd style checkered rectangular border without the widow's peak...which is correct for a '92 produced in 1896.   The upper tang markings are the early 3-line style marked "MODEL 1892" over -WINCHESTER- followed by the John Browning's patent date on the bottom line, "PAT. OCT. 14 1884."   Browning's patent in 1884 deals with what would eventually become the Model 1886...a design which he scaled down 8 years for the Model 1892...to provide Winchester with a suitable replacement for the Model 1873.

The wood is solid and in very good condition overall with mostly light handling marks and scratches...and retains 50% original varnish which is thinning and getting a bit streaky in appearance.   Wood has never been sanded.   No cracks or repairs.   One tiny chip up in the corner of the frame/upper tang junction.   Wood-to-metal fit is nice and tight with the wood still displaying its original factory fit...swelling slightly over the metal.

Mechanically, this rifle is in excellent shape with a Fine+ to nearly Excellent bore that's bright with strong lands and grooves.   No rings or bulges.  All in all, a very solid example of the Model 1892 Winchester with a few minor cosmetic blemishes but still displays a considerable amount of original blue.   A nice Antique Winchester rifle for the money!

Item# 1171

SOLD