Winchester knowledge request

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ginseng503

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Another "what have I got here".
To me it looks like a Model 92 in 44WCF. It could be another lever model from Winchester? That is what I don't know yet?

The barrel says Pat. Oct. 1864. Serial no. is 10154
The tang site is a Lyman. The buckhorn site is a Marbles.

Have a look.

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The receiver is definitely a Model 1892/92/53/65 action but the buttstock looks like a Model 53 stock that someone installed a buttpad on. The front end is a carbine.
 
The top tang should be stamped as a 1892...the barrel should be 24 inches if it is a rifle and I have not seen a fore end decorated and not the stock. I think it is a replaced stock and has been altered. I looked in my sights book and think it is a No.2 but it has to be removed and the letters underneath will tell which one it is and in turn will give the info which model it fits.
 
I removed the tang site. It says Model 1892 Winchester. I ran the serial number through armscollectors.com. It says the year of manufacture is 1892.

Now I am really getting excited! :):):)

This arm has been customized to some extent. Buttpad, tang site, and I am not sure what else. The bore and rifling are almost flawless. The action is smooth as butter, nice and tight. I have not fired it since purchasing it 12 to 15 years ago. How significant is the date of manufacture matching the model number?
 
I have a winchester book and it shows a gun such as yours. It is a carbine with the rare shotgun butt ( yours is altered thus dropping the value considerably) and also has a two thirds magazine. The pic does not show a tang sight but that could be added . If it is important to you, you can call the cody museum and have the gun lettered. this info will tell you what it came from the factory with and year made. there is a cost to get this info.

What letters are stamped on the bottom of the tang sight?
 
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The inlet at the front end of the comb on the buttstock was only found on the Model 53 version of the Model 92 series, which is why I suspect the buttstock has been replaced. It appears that the edges of the screw holes on the receiver are slightly concave, or 'dished' ... an indicator that the receiver has been buffed and re-blued. The ramp front sight is a sure indicator that the barrel has been replaced. They did not offer this type of front sight in the 1890's. The earliest I've seen the ramp front sight is in the late 1920's or early 1930's. Also, if there is a winchester proof mark on the top of the barrel just forward of the receiver, they did not start those until 1905 or thereabouts (an oval with a 'w' and a 'p' overlapping inside the oval).
 
What letters are stamped on the bottom of the tang sight?
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There is a paper or other shim on the underside of the site. It is almost ready to come off. If I peel it off it might break up more. It is in 2 pieces already.

I guess I was going to ask before peeling it off in case it was important? I don't see any engraved or stamped letters yet, they must be underneath this paper?
 
Also, if there is a winchester proof mark on the top of the barrel just forward of the receiver, they did not start those until 1905 or thereabouts (an oval with a 'w' and a 'p' overlapping inside the oval).
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I do not see the proof marks. On top of the barrel it says 44 W. C. F.
But the "C" is almost gone. Looks like it has been peened or ground atop the "C"

I also suspect it has been reblued at some time. Not sure why or by whom? I had considered dressing it up with silver tacks but don't want to screw up a collectible. Natives might have owned this gun but just did not have any tacks at the time?
 
I carefully peeled off the shimming paper. It is quite blackened. I can make out the word Canada and a bit of swirling design. It looks like it could have been cut off the end of a bank note. Looking even harder it says Canada Tobacco. Maybe a tax seal for tobacco or something like that.

The top of the tang sight reads,
LYMAN
Middlefield
Conn. U.S.A.

Undeneath the shim is engraved very small, the letters, WS
 
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Either barrel or front sight & rear has been replaced.
IMO forestock is not original & butt has been bastardized.
Paper under the tang is for windage adjustment.
I'd like to see a better pic of the mag end, in 1st pic it's doesn't look like an original "button" either, but it could just be the pic.
If it's got a good bore it's a decent shooter.
1st year production do bring a premium but not in that condition.
Post serial number & some-one will look it up for you.
Not the best pic but this is what a 92 Carbine should look like.
I call the short mag jobs a Lightweight carbine.

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Post serial number & some-one will look it up for you.
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Serial number is 10154.

I understand it is "not original" and therefore "not highly regarded," however, someone, maybe a gunsmith, built it up to be a good hunting arm for himself or a client.

Every arm tells a story. Not sure what this one is but I can imagine somewhere along the line, the barrel, exposed to black powder and water washing for many years, likely became unusable and easily replaceable, like we replace the worn parts on our car.
 
My '92, refinished, still has the original wood. As you can see, it's not the greatest it may be 'gumwood'.
My rifle has a new barrel, sights, and front band, however the rest is original.
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The top rifle is a 1948 model '94. {Wifes}
 
looks cut to me barrel as well as the magazine. good shooter or parts gun. I'm sure it would tell a couple of stories though. Sell it quick they are addictive ;)
 
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