Winchester Model 1892 Info Request

[Steyr101]

Hey guys,

Picked up an 1908 Winchester Model 1892 as part of a larger lot of rifles I acquired off an old collector friend that wanted to thin the herd.

Now I understand the collector value on this one is next to nil, but I'm more curious if any of the Winchester experts out there can help provide some thoughts on how much of this is original.. considering the odd caliber stamp and obvious barrel modification.

The gentleman said he acquired this about 70 years ago, and he didn't alter it in his lifetime other than adding the medallion inlay in the stock.

Looks to have been refinished at some point in its past.

The odd part is the barrel is stamped .375 WCF. The caliber font appears to be punched at a later time, but the WCF looks original. Even more odd, I'm told its actually a .44-40.

I've heard of these early rifles being re-bored or sleeved, I suspect that's what this is?

Proof marks on the receiver match those on the barrel at 12 o'clock above the chamber, I'd suspect the barrel is original (minus the re-boring).

Does anyone have any other signs this is a bunch of parts put together? Are sights correct, front seems more modern. Rear seems correct.

Thank you for any insight.

 

[Mike Webb]

Odd. Can't see why it would be overstamped on caliber marking? The 92 action isnt even long enough to cycle a 375 Winchester which had a case roughly same as the 38/55. The 1894 was chambered in the longer rifle rounds.
Apart from the refinish and stamping plus after market front sight blade it looks pretty much original.

 

[oneadam12]

What’s the bore diameter? Pic of the muzzle end? Barrel should be pre 1930 as Winchester proofed but no additional Winchester Proof Steel stamp. Makes 375 marking even stranger.

 

[boxhitch]

an odd one for sure
Its pretty easy to slug the barrel as well as the chamber, using soft lead

 

[fingers284]

1894 barrel screwed into a 92' action.

 

[Steyr101]

What’s the bore diameter? Pic of the muzzle end? Barrel should be pre 1930 as Winchester proofed but no additional Winchester Proof Steel stamp. Makes 375 marking even stranger.

Bore diameter is .427 or so

 

[oneadam12]

Looks like an assembly of a bunch of things. Butt stock I can’t quite make out the emblem but looks to be from a commemorative post ‘64.

Barrel has the proof marks of a Winchester barrel. 375 WCF was a 1980’s era offering that would never fit the 92 action. Your barrel doesn’t have the other markings one would expect from that vintage. Somebody installed it properly to get the sights and proof marks to time. Definitely been reamed to something close to 44-40 bore size after being altered to 375 Winchester previously (is there any rifling? Slug it and see if it has loose spots).

Best case scenario shooter, worst case scenario it’s a parts gun.

 

[Steyr101]

Looks like an assembly of a bunch of things. Butt stock I can’t quite make out the emblem but looks to be from a commemorative post ‘64.

Barrel has the proof marks of a Winchester barrel. 375 WCF was a 1980’s era offering that would never fit the 92 action. Your barrel doesn’t have the other markings one would expect from that vintage. Somebody installed it properly to get the sights and proof marks to time. Definitely been reamed to something close to 44-40 bore size after being altered to 375 Winchester previously (is there any rifling? Slug it and see if it has loose spots).

Best case scenario shooter, worst case scenario it’s a parts gun.

The coin/medallion was installed by the previous owner as he did on all his lever actions, certainly not associated with anything Winchester, but I do think it the original stock.

 

[Alex McKr]

Bore diameter makes it possibly .44-40. Only way to know for sure which caliber this rifle is, is to do a chamber cast. Cerrosafe is usually recommended. But, if not available ordinary paraffin wax works well, too.

Edit: Cerrosafe available on Amazonca. You could also try: Rusty Wood Trading.

 

[Steyr101]

Previous owner had said he's been shooting .44-40 in it for decades. He's a fairly accomplished reloader etc, no reason to doubt its chambered in .44-40. The .375 stamp continues to be a mystery.