I recently purchased a Winchester 1892 in 44-40 caliber.It has a 20" barrel and no saddle ring. The forearm has an end cap and no barrel rings. In my research I found that the Blue Book of Gun Values does not list this model with these features. Do I have a rare example of Model 92 or a gun of married parts?It sure looks original.
winchester 1892 carbine?
- Thread starter srit1111
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Jim Watson
New member
If it has a foreend cap and no barrel bands, just a half ring between foreend and muzzle, you have a "short rifle," not a carbine. Ought to have a crescent or shotgun buttplate instead of carbine style, too.
Of course pictures would help a lot.
Of course pictures would help a lot.
The smaller caliber carbines didn't have the "figure 8" barrel bands, having the rifle style dovetail magazine band instead, but a .44-40 should have the former.
My first suspicion is that your gun is a rifle with the barrel cut down past the magazine band. What kind of buttplate does it have?
Jim
My first suspicion is that your gun is a rifle with the barrel cut down past the magazine band. What kind of buttplate does it have?
Jim
Jim Watson
New member
I think it is a parts gun.
It has rifle foreend length and tip and buttplate, but carbine front barrel band and a funny looking front sight.
Also reblued over all.
It has rifle foreend length and tip and buttplate, but carbine front barrel band and a funny looking front sight.
Also reblued over all.
It is very likely a reworked gun.
But,
back in the day, Winchester would, literally, sell you a gun with any combination of features you wanted and paid for. You could, if you wanted, order a gun with a carbine magazine, a rifle barrel and a shotgun butt. Or any other combination you wanted.
You can find combinations (I have seen some, myself) that are not in the catalogs or the usual reference materials, and are still factory original, and not a reworked gun. Factory letters from Winchester are not always possible (and many/most owners never bothered to try and get one), because a lot of the records no longer exist.
The bluing on your gun looks really nice, which strongly suggests it was redone (and done well). It is very likely your gun has had work done on it, to wind up with the features it has. Guns with non-standard combinations usually are, but may not be.
Look at the barrel (and any other) markings. I'm no expert, but I do know that the markings were different in different eras of production. These can give you an approximate date range for when the barrel was made, at least.
Example: Early .30-30 Win barrels were marked .30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire). Later guns, are marked .30-30 Win. Experts know (or can find) when the changes were made, and it is different for different models, and calibers.
Also patent dates on the barrel (or anywhere) further ID the time period when the gun was made. Or at least, give you a range of time during which it could be made.
But,
back in the day, Winchester would, literally, sell you a gun with any combination of features you wanted and paid for. You could, if you wanted, order a gun with a carbine magazine, a rifle barrel and a shotgun butt. Or any other combination you wanted.
You can find combinations (I have seen some, myself) that are not in the catalogs or the usual reference materials, and are still factory original, and not a reworked gun. Factory letters from Winchester are not always possible (and many/most owners never bothered to try and get one), because a lot of the records no longer exist.
The bluing on your gun looks really nice, which strongly suggests it was redone (and done well). It is very likely your gun has had work done on it, to wind up with the features it has. Guns with non-standard combinations usually are, but may not be.
Look at the barrel (and any other) markings. I'm no expert, but I do know that the markings were different in different eras of production. These can give you an approximate date range for when the barrel was made, at least.
Example: Early .30-30 Win barrels were marked .30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire). Later guns, are marked .30-30 Win. Experts know (or can find) when the changes were made, and it is different for different models, and calibers.
Also patent dates on the barrel (or anywhere) further ID the time period when the gun was made. Or at least, give you a range of time during which it could be made.
Based on the appearance of the buttplate and the barrel, I am very much inclined to say that the gun has been highly polished and reblued.
Also, you said it has no barrel bands, but it has the carbine style band. I still suspect it was a rifle and the stock and magazine tube were cut down and the carbine band fitted.
Only a Winchester letter would show how it left the factory.
Jim
Also, you said it has no barrel bands, but it has the carbine style band. I still suspect it was a rifle and the stock and magazine tube were cut down and the carbine band fitted.
Only a Winchester letter would show how it left the factory.
Jim
Going to the farm to shoot this weekend if it doesn't rain. Take a another look at my picture of the barrel and magazine they are turning purple. Its hard to see in the picture.I didnt know reblue turns purple like real old original finish. Im no expert but I think it might not have been reblued.
"Turning purple" is a classic result of a reblue. Steel that has a high nickel content will turn purple when reblued using bluing salts at normal bluing temps. In order to get a true blue, the gun must be flash blued at a higher temp which ruins the salts and makes them useless.
Jim Watson
New member
Or of bluing at too high temperature.