Fall 2022 • WINCHESTERCOLLECTOR.ORG | 25 industry. Caravan was founded out of a need for historical accuracy, in which they are focused on, whether it’s in the firearms themselves, training the actors on the historicallycorrect use of those firearms, props, set dressing, wardrobe, animals and even filming locations. Collectors are aware of some Model 92 Saddle Ring Carbines with 20-inch octagon barrels, all within the late serial range, commonly referred to by some collectors as “Movie Guns.” I have identified six serial numbers so far: 944598, 944985, 954946, 971284, 981114 and 981141. If others are known, please let me know. There has always been a mystery surrounding why these guns were made. Were they specially ordered, and if so, by whom? Were they “parts clean-up” guns? Most movie props saw hard use and abuse. If they were movie guns, why were most found to be in relatively good condition? Since there are no remaining Winchester factory records in this serial number range, we have to look at the guns themselves along with any remaining documentation. One of these guns was examined by George Madis, and from an authentication letter, Madis wrote in part: Model 1892 Carbine-Rifle Serial Number 981114. Among the greatest rarities in the Winchester collectors arms are those guns made for special uses or which utilized components on hand to make special guns. This is one of the most unusual 1892 models; serial records show this serial number was assigned to the 1892 model in 1925. Because of Winchesters great expansion during World War One, money for the expansion was borrowed from J. P. Morgan and Company and this debt was eventually to cause the bankruptcy of Winchester. Ed Pugsley, an old friend of mine and a very long-time employee of Winchester, told me that the period of the 1920s was a very difficult time for the company. In his position of manager, Ed had to meet expenses and the payroll in numerous unusual ways. One way to get money was to gather up scrap metal around the plant to sell; another way was to assemble guns to sell at discounts to various distributors and other customers. Finances were so bad at Winchester that Ed would sell scrap metal on a Tuesday to meet the payroll on Saturday. Various orders were filled for guns to be sent to other countries, Octagon-barreled Model 92 Saddle Ring Carbine, s/n 981141, barrel marked SMOOTH BORE. Photos courtesy of LeRoy Merz Antique Firearms. An inspection of Model 92 OB Carbine s/n 954946 (upper) and Model 92 Short Rifle s/n 698547 (lower) reveals that 20inch short rifle barrels were used in the assembly of these carbines, as seen by the same location of the forend cap tenon dovetail for a Short-Rifle forend. Note the short 7⅞-inch forend typically found on "Trappers." Phil LeVasser Collection
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