Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Recently inherited 1892. Advice on maintenance?
Avatar
Texasaggie19
San Antonio, Texas
New Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2
Member Since:
July 31, 2025
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
July 31, 2025 - 1:36 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Hello, 

I recently inherited a Winchester 1892, serial number 111369, chambered in 44-40. 

I would like advice on how to maintain its condition, and possibly clean up the wood stock on it. I have ammunition for it that I also inherited, but as far as I know it’s only been a wall hanger for the last 60-70 years. 

I’ve added a couple photos for reference. 

 

IMG_5701.jpegIMG_5707.jpegIMG_5702.jpegIMG_5708.jpegIMG_5704.jpeg

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Jeremy P
The Great State
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 907
Member Since:
April 30, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
July 31, 2025 - 1:56 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Wood looks pretty worn around the tang (or missing) and may have been sanded already once in its life. Most here are going to advise you to just put on a coat of wax or wood feed ‘n wax (it looks dry to me), a thin rubbing of oil on the metal and a couple drops inside on the action bits and hang ‘er back up or go shoot her!

Avatar
Rick C
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 795
Member Since:
March 14, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
July 31, 2025 - 2:47 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Also, if you do shoot it, check for any obstructions or possible bulge inside the barrel and make sure you have the correct ammo. It may have been a wall hanger for a reason. Congrats and good luck. 

 Rick C 

   

Avatar
Zebulon
Texas
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1166
Member Since:
January 20, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
July 31, 2025 - 2:15 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Teasip here, so you may want to discard the advice, although our daughter is an Aggie.  

I disagree with most of the advice you just got about shooting your Model 1892.  If you value it and your fingers and eyesight,  show this fine old rifle the respect it deserves by taking it to a gunsmith KNOWN TO BE SKILLED AND REPUTABLE and ask him to do the following: 

1. Disassemble the gun, check the barrel for obstructions and the breechbolt assembly for headspace. Determine whether the gun is safe to shoot and whether any internal parts have excess wear to the point they MUST be replaced.

2. Verify the action and feeding assemblies are functional.

3. Clean and lubricate the working parts, reassemble and test fire. [Provide the ‘Smith with several rounds of ammunition for test firing.]

I can recommend Nagel’s of San Antonio, if they still maintain a working gunsmith operation. Others on the forum who live in Bexar County can also give some names. 

Resist having any refinishing done until you fully understand the consequences. Hard core collectors recoil in horror at removing a single flake of “patina” also known as rust, or disturbing blackened wood. Your rifle’s stock and forearm may have been refinished or it may have just shrunk from age and low humidity. The wood finish, whether factory original or a refinish, is probably varnish, or linseed oil with sufficient drying additives to make it act like varnish. Either way, leave it alone for the time being.

You have some options but, for now,  follow the physician’s rule:  Primum, non nocere.  First, do no harm. 

- Bill 

 

WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist

"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Avatar
Anthony
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1024
Member Since:
December 9, 2002
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
July 31, 2025 - 3:17 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I can see the good advice, above in all the comments!

Bill,

I used to enjoy Nagel’s! Smile

 

Anthony

Avatar
Texasaggie19
San Antonio, Texas
New Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2
Member Since:
July 31, 2025
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
July 31, 2025 - 10:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

IMG_5759.jpegIMG_5760.jpegIMG_5761.jpegIMG_5762.jpegIMG_5764.jpegIMG_5765.jpegIMG_5766.jpegIMG_5767.jpegZebulon said
Teasip here, so you may want to discard the advice, although our daughter is an Aggie.  
I disagree with most of the advice you just got about shooting your Model 1892.  If you value it and your fingers and eyesight,  show this fine old rifle the respect it deserves by taking it to a gunsmith KNOWN TO BE SKILLED AND REPUTABLE and ask him to do the following: 
1. Disassemble the gun, check the barrel for obstructions and the breechbolt assembly for headspace. Determine whether the gun is safe to shoot and whether any internal parts have excess wear to the point they MUST be replaced.
2. Verify the action and feeding assemblies are functional.
3. Clean and lubricate the working parts, reassemble and test fire. [Provide the ‘Smith with several rounds of ammunition for test firing.]
I can recommend Nagel’s of San Antonio, if they still maintain a working gunsmith operation. Others on the forum who live in Bexar County can also give some names. 
Resist having any refinishing done until you fully understand the consequences. Hard core collectors recoil in horror at removing a single flake of “patina” also known as rust, or disturbing blackened wood. Your rifle’s stock and forearm may have been refinished or it may have just shrunk from age and low humidity. The wood finish, whether factory original or a refinish, is probably varnish, or linseed oil with sufficient drying additives to make it act like varnish. Either way, leave it alone for the time being.
You have some options but, for now,  follow the physician’s rule:  Primum, non nocere.  First, do no harm. 
  

Thank you for the advice. I took a look at it and I think the original photos I took darkened the gun more than what it really is. I’ve attached a few more to this comment. The action also seems to be pretty smooth considering it’s a 126 year old rifle lol. I cleaned it up some with a rag. I’m pretty sure my grandfather cleaned it at least once a year with a hoppes kit. The furniture looks to be original and not sanded or modified in any way. 
Would you recommend mineral spirits or BLO or old west snake oil to maintain the condition of the wood? 

thanks again 

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Chuck
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 5833
Member Since:
March 31, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
August 1, 2025 - 5:12 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Most any type of oil will work.  Winchester used boiled linseed oil.  Apply coats of oil until it quits soaking in.  Make sure you wipe off the excess. 

Avatar
Zebulon
Texas
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1166
Member Since:
January 20, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
August 2, 2025 - 12:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

By “almost anything” Chuck doesn’t mean petroleum-based, like 3-in1.  He’s done more of this than I have and linseed oil is the favored, traditional oil for gunstocks. It is very slow to dry and, as he has suggested to me, boiled linseed oil – which contains a drying agent – might be best. 

Another harmless alternative is Renaissance Wax, which is a brand of museum-safe wax designed for preserving the finish of antiques. 

I’m not knowledgeable enough about ammunition to know whether the cartridges you showed us are antiques loaded with black powder or modern smokeless. The rifle (once cleared for shooting) is safe with either but, if one of our knowledgeable guys says it’s black, get his advice on cleaning the gun after shooting it. My advice on a good gunsmith still stands. 

- Bill 

 

WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist

"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Avatar
Big Larry
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2550
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
August 2, 2025 - 3:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

That ammo is the old Balloon head type. I would not shoot it. 44-40 ammo is available at most sporting goods store, but is very expensive. Over $50 a box. Todays ammo is made for pistols and will not harm your rifle. I would just clean it up as suggested by the previous posters and run a few shells through it. Way too expensive to just blast away. I have 4 44-40’s. They are all very accurate. It’s a great cartridge.  Big Larry

 

Model-1892-rifle-right-side-2.jpg

Avatar
Chuck
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 5833
Member Since:
March 31, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
August 2, 2025 - 9:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

The ammo is fairly new.  The older cartridges did not have a jacket nor the tinish primers.

Avatar
Zebulon
Texas
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1166
Member Since:
January 20, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
August 4, 2025 - 1:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Texasaggie19 said
Hello, 
I recently inherited a Winchester 1892, serial number 111369, chambered in 44-40. 
I would like advice on how to maintain its condition, and possibly clean up the wood stock on it. I have ammunition for it that I also inherited, but as far as I know it’s only been a wall hanger for the last 60-70 years. 
I’ve added a couple photos for reference. 
 

  

Army,  be sure to post some photos of your range work with this ’92.  As Larry says,  ammunition can be found although it’s expensive.  On the other hand, if you’re not already a reloader and don’t intend to shoot the rifle beyond testing it, a 50-round box is going to be cheaper than a reloading outfit – unless you can find a Lee Loader in that caliber, which is never a bad idea. In any event, save the  brass from any new cartridges you shoot. You’d be surprised at what once-fired 44 Winchester brass is worth.

Looking forward to seeing some targets, as I’m sure we all are!

- Bill 

 

WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist

"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Avatar
Jeremy P
The Great State
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 907
Member Since:
April 30, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
August 4, 2025 - 2:57 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I’m routinely finding a 50-box on sites like MidwayUSA and others for well under $50. You have to set some alerts to get notified when in stock a lot of the time.

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/44-40-winchester for a current list of pricing and availability…

Avatar
Big Larry
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2550
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
August 4, 2025 - 3:26 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

By the time you pay UPS hazardous shipping charge and tax, they will run near $50. I reload mine. I also collect period ammo and some I have paid $700 a box. Fun gun to shoot, the M1892 is a very highly sought after rifle.Very expensive too. Have fun and be sure to post the accuracy results. 50 yards minimum.

Big Larry

 

Winchester-M53-left-side.jpg

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
TXGunNut
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6419
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
August 4, 2025 - 11:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Big Larry said
By the time you pay UPS hazardous shipping charge and tax, they will run near $50. I reload mine. I also collect period ammo and some I have paid $700 a box. Fun gun to shoot, the M1892 is a very highly sought after rifle.Very expensive too. Have fun and be sure to post the accuracy results. 50 yards minimum.
Big Larry
 

  

If I had to buy ammo for my toys I’d probably have to get a job. Can’t plink at $1/round on SS! I’ve just realized my reloading room is an integral part of my retirement plan. Problem with much of the hyphenated ammo available today is it was manufactured to meet the needs of Cowboy Action Shooters, they are generally more concerned with sensitive primers than with consistency or accuracy. A good reloading setup is expensive but it saves you the agony of paying through the nose for ammo made for folks who blaze away at steel targets a few feet away. Save your brass! 

I’m a fan of Tung oil for neglected wood. Mineral spirits will remove oil, including an oil finish. Then you will need BLO or Tung oil to freshen up the finish. 

 

Mike

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Board Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Zebulon
Texas
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1166
Member Since:
January 20, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
August 7, 2025 - 7:58 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Big Larry said
By the time you pay UPS hazardous shipping charge and tax, they will run near $50. I reload mine. I also collect period ammo and some I have paid $700 a box. Fun gun to shoot, the M1892 is a very highly sought after rifle.Very expensive too. Have fun and be sure to post the accuracy results. 50 yards minimum.
Big Larry
 

  

Larry,  there is no HAZMAT fee for small quantities of live ammunition shipped by Ground service within the Continental United States. [Hawaii and Alaska are a problem.]

Powder or primers require the fee but all UPS wants for ammo is the Limited Quantity sticker and that the ammo be packed in segmented containers inside a sturdy cardboard shippimg box. There is a caliber and quantity limit but neither are bothersome for what we are discussing. You may be thinking about the residential pickup fee that runs $15 or so. You can’t drop it off. UPS has to pick it up. 

You can read the requirements on the UPS Website. Try Googling “how to ship ammunition.” The reason I’m current on the subject is I’ve shipped two different boxes of dies, brass, and live rounds for a couple of rifles I’ve sold.

- Bill 

 

WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist

"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 127
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6419
Chuck: 5833
steve004: 5184
1873man: 4701
deerhunter: 2701
Big Larry: 2550
twobit: 2497
mrcvs: 2200
Maverick: 2037
Newest Members:
Danrr
GTUDEAN
rbrettallen
mattawoman
Brad
RUSS
David Smith
Jimmykilgore
Habeas
Davecrum65
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14768
Posts: 132048

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2057
Members: 10018
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Administrators: Mike Hager, Bert H., JWA, SethJ
Moderators: Rob Kassab, Brad Dunbar, Heather
Navigation