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I have seen a few articles about the jointed cleaning rods for the Models 1873 and 1876, but nothing for the Model 1892, so I wondered if anyone had information about them. The only mention I have seen was by George Watrous in his book THE HISTORY OF WINCHESTER FIREARMS 1866 – 1966 – third edition, where he describes the Model 1892 Repeating Rifle on Page 39 and in the General Specifications of the M/92 Rifle Makes the statement:
“CLEANING ROD: Standard equipment. A slotted hickory rod was furnished with each firearm.”
Although Winchester supplied hickory cleaning rods with all rifles supplied, the dealers did not always supply a cleaning rod when the rifles were sold. In some cases I have no doubt the purchaser did not want it as Winchester made no provision for storing the rod with the rifle.
When I acquired the rods in 2009, from a junk dealer who was also a firearms expert, I was advised that the rods were found after the Carl Scholtz Gunshop relocated from George Street, in the city of Brisbane, Queensland, to Waterworks Road, Red Hill, Queensland, when the building was being renovated. The Carl Scholtz Gunshop was established about 1910 in George Street, and of course dealt with Winchesters. The eigth rods were tied together in a bundle, and after I did the research contacted the late David Bichrest about them. It was just what he was looking for as he needed the cleaning rods to complete a case of five rifles, so five cleaning rods returned home. I found the remaining three rods when tidying up the gunroom, and would like to share the information about them. The photographs below show two of the rods, and a detailed view of the “slotted end”.
The rods are 30 inches long and are 0.234 inches in diameter – so well able to clean a 25-20 WCF rifle. They are not perfectly straight and are flexible, but not, in my opinion, flexible enough to be used from the breech, so it appears that they were used from the muzzle as most recent cleaning rods are.
There are no metal parts, one end is cut square, but the other end is flattened on two sides, and the other sides are slightly tapered to assist in entering the barrel. A narrow slot 1.58 inches long has been cut through the flat sides, starting 2.56 inches from the end, to accommodate the cleaning cloth. The slot measures 1.25 mm (by depth gauge) or just over 3/64 inches. The photos show an overall view of two of the rods, and the second shows the two views of the slot. The photos date from 2020 when sent them to David, so there is no measure.
I will not be keeping the rods, and no doubt there will be an aussie WACA member keen to acquire them.
Hmm, interesting. I would of thought the hickory rods would have been out of use by the 1890s and only recall hearing about them used on the Henry and Model 1866.
Would think that by the Model 1892 that Winchester would have been more inclined to selling metal rods.
That said, this area would need some more research for sure. I honsetly don’t know if I’ve ever seen a original cleaning rod for the Model 1892. Other than ones included in a factory cased set.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
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I think You will find those wood cleaning rods for a ’92 were manufactured by some one other than Winchester.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
From R.L. Wilson’s book. The cleaning rod in this cased deluxe highly finished 44WCF Model 1892 is nickel plated. It is about one of the fanciest cleaning rods made by Winchester I’ve seen evidence of out in the world. It is a sectioned metal cleaning rod.
I do wonder if being located in Australia if the hickory rods were made by Sporting Goods company or like interest located there in Australia. But then again I wouldn’t put it past Winchester to make and sell a product that was only made for the Export Market. They did such things for Shotgun Shells and other ammunition components. That said, I have yet to see any evidence to support such a theory for cleaning rods.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
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That cleaning rod in the picture from R L Wilson look very close to a Stevens Cleaning rod set I have. It has the same swivel handle.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: bob.1873man@gmail.com
This is one I have that came with a ’94
, I don’t recall ever seeing a wood cleaning rod for a Winchester rifle, Henry excepted.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
1873man said
That cleaning rod in the picture from R L Wilson look very close to a Stevens Cleaning rod set I have. It has the same swivel handle.Bob
Bob,
Makes me wonder if the rod is a Stevens brand rod? Or if a company that made rods supplied both Winchester and Stevens with these Rods.
Henry Mero said
This is one I have that came with a ’94
Henry,
I believe you have yourself a Winchester “Model 08” cleaning rod.
winchester nix said
The only mention I have seen was by George Watrous in his book THE HISTORY OF WINCHESTER FIREARMS 1866 – 1966 – third edition, where he describes the Model 1892 Repeating Rifle on Page 39 and in the General Specifications of the M/92 Rifle Makes the statement:“CLEANING ROD: Standard equipment. A slotted hickory rod was furnished with each firearm.”
Well it appears our friend from Australia and the old gun author Mr. George R. Watrous may actually have been onto something.
It seems Winchester did buy from a supplier and resale “Hickory Wiping Rods”. From a W.R. Hartigan in Unionville, CT and from H.D. Thatcher & Co. of Potsdam, N.Y. With the later firm being formally called the St. Law. Novelty & Mfg. Co.
So at the very least in the early 1900s Winchester bought and sold Hickory Rods. Just goes to show you never know when it comes to Winchester!
All that said, now that I know this is a certainty, I wish there was more to go off on these Hickory Rods.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I wish my son was reading this, but he seems otherwise busy these days. He has a model 1892 in .32 WCF that came with its original hickory wiping rod. It is an unjointed, one piece rod. Whether that is due to being a .32 caliber or if all were solid back in the day, I can not say. It has spent much of its years kept in a piece of PVC to avoid breakage. Tim
Tim Tomlinson said that his son “has a model 1892 in .32 WCF that came with its original hickory wiping rod. It is an unjointed, one piece rod”
I wonder if Tim could ask his son to measure the rod and compare the measurements to mine.
I really thank Maverick for producing the evidence that one piece hickory wiping rods were supplied with the Model 1892.
I surely can’t argue with the facts that at some point after 1900 these rods were being produced and supplied. I just have never seen or heard of them before. I wonder if they were supplied for special order rifles?
This is definitely a first for me, as Ive been enjoying the ongoing tutorial! 
Anthony
Online
Just to add some additional information to this topic…
This is a scanned copy of the April 1900 Catalog No. 65. Read the last sentence on the page where it states that all Model 1892 guns would be supplied with a slotted hickory rod.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I’ve asked Geoff to chime in if he can find the time. He is rather busy these days, so won’t guarantee anything. Tim
Bert H. said
Just to add some additional information to this topic…This is a scanned copy of the April 1900 Catalog No. 65. Read the last sentence on the page where it states that all Model 1892 guns would be supplied with a slotted hickory rod.
Bert
Well I think the catalog statement makes it clear these are in fact one-piece rods with the statement, “Cleaning rods will NOT be put in buttstock…”.
winchester nix said
I really thank Maverick for producing the evidence that one piece hickory wiping rods were supplied with the Model 1892.
I think Bert finding the mention in the catalog reinforces this fact. Upon reflection I should have never doubted George Watrous’ writings, I had forgotten that he was in fact a “Company Man”, having joined WRACo in 1899. He even worked in their engineering department and made his way into upper management.
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
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Learned a lot here , thank You.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
I once owned an antique Model 1892, 44-40 that letters with Rod in Butt. As you can see in the photo, it appers they supplied the same cleaning rod as provided with the model 1873.
If you needed to replace the Slotted Hickory Rod it was 10 cents. Found it in the McCraken Research. Also saw a wood rod on the first page for a half mag which I don’t understand.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: bob.1873man@gmail.com
Page 88 also has interesting note for the Model 94.
25/35 we furnish iron — all other cal. wood rods
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Quite a while back on the swap meet I was looking for a cleaning rod for My 38-55, 1894. Well I didn’t find one so a friend made one for Me, until I do find the proper one. It fits and it works just fine.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Buffalo arms sells repo rods and I thought they were exact copies of the originals.
https://www.buffaloarms.com/four-section-winchester-reprod-wcr04org.html
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: bob.1873man@gmail.com
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