Log In
March 16, 2018
Offline
45 years ago, a young man decides to buy a farm in Mckinney, Texas to raise alfalfa hay. He would plow at night because of the hot Texas heat. One night, he noticed a few coyotes and decided to bring his 1917 Winchester 1892 chambered in 32-20 along the next night to pick off a few of them. When he got home, he found that the Winchester, which was riding on the back of the tractor, had fallen off. The young man searched and searched but never found his beloved Winchester. The following year, he was back at the plow, breaking ground for a new crop of alfalfa ,when he thought one of his disc had hit a rock. Low and behold, it was the Winchester! An so, here she is. Some rust. Some stock damage. Some barrel and magazine tube damage but an action that is as smooth as the day it was made. A testament to the truly strong, well designed Winchester 1892 action!
Moving forward 5 years, I have began the restoration/conservation of this rifle in his memory as he has since passed away. I straightened the barrel as best I could for proper assembly, found some decent replacement wood and a magazine tube. Im still searching for a 20″ 32wcf barrel though. I cleaned the metal with Big 45 Frontier Cleaning Pads. I am anxious to shoot it! Enjoy the before and “almost” after pictures as well as the story.
April 30, 2023
Offline
Nice work and story, that could have been in an issue of The Collector!
I bet when that plow disc hit that rifle a chunk of his soul was cut away!
March 16, 2018
Offline
Thanks! Yes, he was pretty sick about it. In fact, I found it in the corner of his barn where he left it that day. I told him it would be cool hanging on his wall. He told me to take it with me. I dont think he wanted to be reminded of what happened to it.
January 8, 2025
Offline
Great story. I know things were different in the 80s. Now you can get a $40 metal detector at Menards that will pay dividends. Rifle looks good. Good luck with finding the barrel. Looking forward to seeing a range report.
March 20, 2009
Offline
The one that ALMOST got away!! Any chance that you can read the serial number so that I can add it into my survey?
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 16, 2018
Offline
Yes Sir! I’ll send you a PM along with 2 other 92’s I recently bought.
January 20, 2023
Offline
Any chance it will shoot around corners? I think there were some arc-shaped barrels developed for World War I trench warfare. Don’t know how they shot but coyotes aren’t quite smart enough to see the muzzle pointed at them even though you were in profile…
- 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.
April 30, 2023
Offline
Zebulon said
Any chance it will shoot around corners? I think there were some arc-shaped barrels developed for World War I trench warfare. Don’t know how they shot but coyotes aren’t quite smart enough to see the muzzle pointed at them even though you were in profile…
I think Mythbusters did an episode on curved shooting, based on a popular movie where the characters had that power. There was actually some validity to it if the angle was not too extreme, the could still shoot!
February 17, 2022
Offline
Zebulon said
Any chance it will shoot around corners? I think there were some arc-shaped barrels developed for World War I trench warfare. Don’t know how they shot but coyotes aren’t quite smart enough to see the muzzle pointed at them even though you were in profile…
Bill, think M-3 Grease gun.
January 8, 2025
Offline
You’re talking about this device that the nazis came up with toward the end of the war for inner city fighting. I believe I’ve seen one for the k98 that had a mirror mounted to it for sighting. The history channel stuff is crap. On you tube, look up demolition ranch and his last video on shooting through pipes. He did it several times and I’d say perfected the test. That barrel seems to have a kink, that I’d expect would explode the barrel.
after posting a Nazi rifle. I feel the need to say hail Winchester. The 95 in 30-06 would have defeated the Huns.
November 7, 2015
Offline
I believe MidwestCrisis is correct. A curved barrel might work, a sharply bent barrel will have a restriction that will dramatically raise pressures, likely even after attempted straightening. I would advise slugging it to confirm but you would need a flexible rod to drive that slug. A bore scope may be helpful, maybe not. I like the replacement barrel idea.
Mike
March 16, 2018
Offline
Ive actually got this one straight enough to shoot right now. There is still a slight ‘S” curve in it but, I wouldnt be afraid to shoot it. Im sure accuracy and velocity would suffer though. The bore aint bad but it aint good either. I can wait on a barrel 🙂
January 8, 2025
Offline
With the rest of the parts surviving. I would exercise patience, and wait for the new barrel. But that’s just me. I have no idea what you know or your practical experience. I would hazard a guess, best case you’ll have a shotgun. Worst case you’ll lose a functional rifle you put some work in that’s also sentimental. Then you can put it in the corner of your barn and wait for someone to take it from you. Just my opinion. You do you.
1 Guest(s)
