I just picked up a '92 saddle ring carbine in 44-40 from a local gun shop, my original intention was to get a cheap rough gun and do a full custom job on it ( undecided now ) with 1/2 round / octagon barrel in 38-40, ( I prefer 40 cals ) fancy wood, 1/2 mag and 64/65 style pistol grip...now that I have the rifle, its five digit serial number tells me it was made in 1894, so I'm not so sure about cutting it up.
Condition...bulged barrel, split timbers, otherwise reasonable.
Questions...Would I be destroying a potentially valuable or historic rifle? ( I believe its been refinished as the blue is immaculate )
...If its nothing special, can I buy/ trade/ acquire a 64/65 style curved lever and will it fit?

Roger



advertising pic from gun shop

64; No; the 64 was a 94 action.
65: Yes; the 65 was a 92 in 218 Bee. Of course you will need a curved lower tang and stock but you know that.

mis matched wood, bulged barrel, re-blued.

go crazy.
you couldn't possibly make it less of a shooter or collector item.

it really hurt me to just type that.
I've been looking for a decent 92 in 38-40 for years.

The action seems in really good shape, the lever has very little sideways movement, I can't believe its that old!...not bad for $300 AU.

Roger

You stole it. From some poor widow no doubt!

Damn! I've been found out.....actually it was on a gunshops online sales and I was expecting something old and rusty and pretty rough, the bloke I dealt with on the phone said he knew nothing about old guns so that was probably a bonus!

Roger

I'm pretty sure that low serial number is first year of production, but you need to determine that first and foremost..

The 92 was popular in 44-40 and 38-40 in its day, the other calibers came later, 32-20, 25-20, 218 Bee and never were overly popular with the light calibers probably because the old timers were still hanging on to black powder..

I personally would try to restore it to as close to original as possible if the bore is decent..The butt stock is correct for a saddle ring carbine as is the rest or the gun, crescent butt stocks are for rifles, not carbines, not saying Winchester would make a special anyway you wanted it, and that can be confusing at times, but your gun is good on that count as I see it..Good purchase at any rate..

I have a mod 92 rifle 26" oct barrel in 38-40 serial no. 178 that Im putting in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Texas. I will have a lot of new brass, loaded ammo with new Starline brass, dies etc for sale in the near future btw if anyone has an interest..

Grandad shot and killed a notorious bank robber with this gun between Presidio and Marfa Texas after his gang had robbed the Presidio bank. Interesting story of awesome shooting under stress! He described this to my mother in a letter and the letter and documentation goes to the museum also.

To my mind, this would be a restoration project...The receiver has had an unfortunate acquaintance with a buffing wheel...but most likely can be "crisped up"

New wood, if needed, is readily available at reasonable cost. New barrel or maybe sleeve old barrel if lettering isn't too washed out..and...even if washed out, a good engraver can restore .

Good luck...let us know what you decide

I am a bit dubious that I have the serial number correct...L52975...Is that an "L", the letter L is on the online ad and on the paper work...am I correct with the serial number or is the L another number?
The rifle has a ladder rear sight and brass blade front, is marked " 44 WCF " and the printing on the barrel is very clear.



Is there any way of finding the history on this rifle, apparently the style with the button mag is a typical Australian model.

Roger

Never saw or heard of a letter prefix for a 92...But button mags are rare.

Could be a " 1 " ?...would make it a '96-'97 model.



Aussie '92s



Roger

Somebody or the factory restored and customized that gun may explain the L letter or call to Win might clear that up..Also the serial number does not look right as its a protusion as opposed to a stamp or poor photography? Possible the L might make the gun more collectors valuable???..

I vote to restore and that will increase the value more than anything else if done properly..

No, it's definitely stamped, just an optical illusion of the photograph.

Roger

Most of the ones in NZ are also button mag / half mag versions too. They used to sell Winchesters in Australia branded as Daisy rifles (1873's), or New Daisy Rifles (1892's).

Someone might have stamped the 1 upside down.

...possibly...does anyone have a pic of a '92 serial number with a "1" in it?

Roger

Before committing big money and effort refurbishing this rifle I would suggest you have an 1892 expert collector review the serial number and it’s implied build date with the markings and other features of the rifle (eg font style for the period) to confirm the authenticity of the serial number.

Any suggestions where to find someone?

Roger

I’d send an email to Michael Puzio at "2bitrifles at gmail dot com".

He seems to know his stuff.

Just an odd question with no intent to hijack this thread. I would like to find a lever action shooter in one of the older calibers (i.e. .32-20, .38-40 etc). Where would I look? PM is ok.

Thanks, Mike

Thanks, I'll drop him a line and see what he has to say

Roger

OK, I contacted Michael Puzio and he very promptly returned my Email with the reply below...



...so going on his advice I'll tart the old girl up!!
It appears this rifle was made in the 1900's...not bad for her age...

Roger

That was a quick reply and good feedback.

Best of luck with the project.

To answer your question I have a Win mod 92 rifle with a 1 in it #178, today its in my nephews suburban headed for Texas and the Texas Ranger Museum long with Papas colt 45 and a ton of documentation. The stamp is just a regular 1..Guess I will be looking for a shooter to clean up and play with..Maybe in 45 Long colt..

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Michalski:
Just an odd question with no intent to hijack this thread. I would like to find a lever action shooter in one of the older calibers (i.e. .32-20, .38-40 etc). Where would I look? PM is ok.

Thanks, Mike

Gunauction, Gunbroker, Guns America. Post a WTB ad here..

I would first go on Guns International, to Winchester firearms, Mod 92...Lots of them out there and at some pretty rich pricing..A local in Twin Falls hasa minty 92 src. I offered him $3500 and he felt insulted!! So I offered him $4500 and he got nice again, but no sale..