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I think it was in November 2008, I spotted an ad for a Model 92, 25-20, pistol grip with checked wood. I contacted the seller and learned he worked for Winchester back in the 1950’s. The following is what I remember.
It seems that during the depression years sales had dropped and this caused Winchester to rethink it’s production of certain Models. This resulted in ceasing production of several Models, including the Models 90, 06, 86, 95, 92, 53. About that time WWII broke out and things shifted to the war effort. Winchester jumped into the War effort and history speaks for it’s self.
During the early 1950’s several bins of rifle parts were discovered. Winchester not wanting to waste anything, granted some of the employees permission to assemble the inventory and make the assembled guns available to Winchester employees through the Winchester Employee Store. This is how the rifle I eventually bought came to be assembled and purchased.
The seller is still a member of WACA and posts his card in the Magazine each issue. The Serial number is: 1006356 and the sling is marked “WINCHESTER”.
If I had the chance to acquire a deluxe ’92 with shotgun butt & factory swivels & sling, I wouldn’t care what the story was or ask any questions beyond “how much”!
Roger,
That is a gorgeous late production “parts clean-up” Model 92 Fancy Sporting Rifle!
On a related note, please get in touch with me concerning the Model 65 you have with a pre “1000000” serial number.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Just returning momentarily for the notation/clarification that I hadn’t seen Clarence’s or Bert’s comments above, affixed as I was composing mine below.
A beautiful rifle and an interesting story concerning its creation! From a ‘no-expert’ standpoint here, it does seem to me that the serial beyond listed EOP 1932 year range, adds considerable credibility to the story. The question also of course, the “so what” factor in terms of any resulting desirability/valuation. For me, the Factory employee build production source would be ‘uniquely significant’. Also particularly relevant to the extent in explaining any differences from factory production known configurations.
How much the story adds can be significant and upon that, I have no idea. Were it mine, a provenance not yet in hand, I’d beat a path to that seller’s door and secure his letter of authentication. That, the ‘coup’ re the story.
Without resort to the story, the rifle appears quite a nice ‘catch’ of itself. Again as the amateur, for me, the story a nice embellishment to a rifle easily able to stand on its own ‘apparent condition’ auspices.
Congrats & thanks for sharing!
Best!
John
January 26, 2011
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Roger,
That’s a very interesting and beautiful 92/65 hybrid. I see both models wrapped up in one gun ……. and the letter from Ed is a perfect addition. My only question is why have you waited so long to show us? Great Find!
~Gary~
Interesting that in the letter from Edward, he states that the rifles were not meant to be sold through the Winchester distribution system as they did not meet Winchester standards.From the pictures of the rifle in question, it looks very well made and with better quality control than a lot of rifles put out now a days.
Thank you all for your kind words. I guess I hesitated in bringing this 92 into the light because the 92 carbines I posted with the ramp front sights were basically classified as “just re-barreled carbines”. The fact that Winchester probably did the work didn’t seem to count for much. The only provenance I had regarding the 92 rifle, was Mr. Ulrich’s letter and it seemed the membership had no knowledge of his existence or background. His uncles (or great uncles) were engravers at Winchester.
28 gauge, upon close examination I did discover one flaw in the quality of the finished product. The hole in the magazine tube bottom end, where the magazine plug screw fits, has a fracture. It is so insignificant it can’t be seen with out magnification. I haven’t touched or turned a screw on the rifle.
RDB
I was raised in a very small mining town in Missouri. My uncle owned a sporting goods store that I worked at part time as a kid selling worms and minnows. I heard just about every story you can think of but at that time Winchesters were cheap and very rarely did I see anything but a plain jane 94 30-30 nothing really to make up a story about. A few factory short rifles with the factory hack saw marks easy to see . I would never see a rifle like this one at a local show , if I did I would have it in my collection good story or not..
rogertherelic said The only provenance I had regarding the 92 rifle, was Mr. Ulrich’s letter and it seemed the membership had no knowledge of his existence or background.
Pathetic, if true.
Would be interesting to know if guns sold at the employee’s store were usually wholesale-priced or closer to retail.
rogertherelic said
This is all I have for provenance.
MORE than enough! But like I said, I’d have been overjoyed to acquire the gun without the least shred of provenance–it speaks for itself!
Neat rifle Roger, congrats.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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