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Over the past 15 months or so I have been seduced by the Model 1892, and now have several. None are particularly noteworthy,
other than being ’92’s. I recently got a takedown rifle with octagon barrel, c. 1918. The wood is still good (perhaps refinished) and
the bluing on the barrel, mag. tube, lever, and hammer are nearly 100%, at least to a decidedly non-expert. The receiver. forend cap,
and buttplate have lots of flaking (I think that’s what you call it) but no rust spots or pitting. The bore is excellent and it feeds
cartridges (.32-20) better than any of my other ’92’s. The takedown operation is like new, with the two parts snugging up just
before alignment. The 3 adjustment screws do not appear to have been moved.
It shoots great, too. I transferred a Lyman 1-A tang sight from one of my other ’92’s. The ammo I had was 100gr XTP JHP
(reloaded, bought at show) and Winchester Super-X LRNFP (factory, silver box). The JHP’s did better, and I got down to 5 rounds
in a 3 1/8″ circle (c.-to-c.), with 3 of those at 1 1/4″, using sandbag rest at 100 yards. Not bad, I think, for old retired eyes and
iron sights. Anyway, I was quite satisfied with how well the gun did.
I have a question: Does anyone know about how many 1892 Takedown rifles were made ?
P.S. twobit, if you are still doing the ’92 survey, I will send you an email.
Well, isn’t that how it goes. About 6 hours after my post, the copy of “The Winchester Handbook” I had
ordered, arrived in my snailmailbox. In reading through the Model 1892 chapter, I found that my question
about the number of takedowns produced was answered. Over about 40 years of rifle production (1892 –
1931) there were about 3 takedowns made per month vs. about 1,340 rifles ( 641,358 rifles / 480 mos.).
Three takedowns per month doesn’t seem like much, but it got me to thinking: What sort of customer
would want to pay extra for a takedown rifle ? Perhaps those who hunted only once or a few times per
year, and the smaller package was an advantage for storage and transport. Any thoughts or opinions
about this from the members ?
Are there any figures about just takedowns concerning : round barrel vs. octagon barrel
full mag. tube vs. short mag. tube ?
Looks like idle curiosity is running amok here, huh ?
Yes, the 1892 is fairly scarce in takedown configuration especially compared to the 1894. The average of three a month over the entire production is probably more heavily distributed towards the earlier years. I think as time went on the special order rifles continued to rise in price compared to the standard rifle and so were ordered less often. Around the turn of the century and before hunters of means traveled by rail to their sporting destinations. There were many American sport hunters hunting around my area in New Brunswick, Canada in those years. My grandfather whose friends guided a little claimed the “sports” as they were called by locals liked takedowns because their luggage was less identifiable as a gun and so less apt to be stolen on the train or at a station. Makes sense but I’m not old enough to have first hand knowledge of it.
Thanks, Mike. Being a “railfan” as well as a ’92 fan, your thoughts make a lot of sense.
As automobiles gained in popularity in the early 20th Century, hunters would have felt less
need for a takedown.
Bruce
Mustang,
I read through you post, and yes 1892 takedowns arent that common. I have been collecting information on 1892 takedown rifles for the better part of 12 years now and likely have only seen about 550 of them either at gun shows, auctions or online auctions. Im wouldnt know for sure about the production numbers but would venture to guess it is very low. As for rarity, the 38 -40 is by far the rarest as far as calibers go, followed by 44-40, 32-20, and 25-20. Winchester would seemingly make a production run on different caliber takedowns from time to time as has patterned out in my data. Towards the end of production 44-40’s are almost exclusively the only caliber takedown rifles being made–likely due to the use of the existing barrel stock. 1/2 octagon barrels, as you mention above are very rare on certain calibers, especially in 38-40. 32-20 and 44-40 are a little more common but are rare, and 25-20 with 1/2 octagon barrels are fairly common.
If you could send me the info on you takedown rifle so I can add it to my survey. My email address is [email protected]. Michael (twobit) is also collecting data on 92 rifles and carbines and may have some additional info– I tend to focus on only the takedown rifles.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Hi guys,
Sorry that I have been out of the loop for a few days. I currently have 6,739 Model 1892 rifles cataloged via my survey. Of that total, 4,278 are sporting rifles, and of that 481 are take down frame guns. That is right at 11% of the sporting rifle production. Keep in mind that this is the “observed” rifle population and may not be totally accurate and represent the actual production.
I would greatly appreciate more information on this rifle and the others in your collection. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding each rifle. The following link may be of interest to you in order to describe each rifle. My email address is at the beginning.
Thanks
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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