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February 24, 2019
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Is this factory engraving on this 1909 model 1892 with non-deluxe wood? It also has a little scroll engraving on the top part of the butt plate.
April 15, 2005
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No, it is definitely not factory engraving.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 24, 2019
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Bert H. said
No, it is definitely not factory engraving.
Thanks for the info Bert!
November 1, 2013
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Maybe not factory, but looks pretty good to me. You’d think previous owners would have handled it with more care than its present cond. suggests they did.
March 21, 2016
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I agree, not factory, but nice work just the same.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015
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Scrollwork seems very good but the animals give it away. Makes me appreciate the artistry of Winchester engravers.
Mike
February 19, 2013
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So what do the experts think about these?? Pauline Murrell said they aren’t factory but the work was well done.
April 23, 2021
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I had an early 1892 with very similar scroll work,buttplate and for end cap as this gun does. 16xxx range gun, had 1893 Columbian Exposition text on side with scroll work and silver barrel bands with silver’d scroll work on end of barrel. OB BM 38 wcf,just a neat gun.. Friend of mine who is now deceased, George Madis, looked at gun and in his letter guessed the gun was done at Tiffany & Co for that expo as a gift,prize type deal. Even without being a factory gun was still unique and valuable,so just because not factory,as long as period and not recent(last 75 years) ,probably still a desirable gun. More research, possibly you can find comparable engraving from a known shop like the Tiffany & Co gun I had , worth the effort and interesting journey. I spend better part of year trying to find mention,catalogue etc in Expo archives of this gun to no avail,but was well worth the effort..
May 23, 2009
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Manuel said
Well as seeing as the receivers are disassembled, in the white, and you can see fresh cut metal with no oxidation or patina. I’d agree all day long that they’re not factory. Another dead give away to me is the scrolls. They seem to thin and leafy with areas around them deeply cut.
Get them gold plated and add some barrels engraved one in a million with your name and you’ll probably be able to sell them at auction in 20 years for way more than you paid! All kidding aside, I’d assemble them and get to plinking.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
March 21, 2016
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TXGunNut said
Scrollwork seems very good but the animals give it away. Makes me appreciate the artistry of Winchester engravers.
Mike
Speaking of wildlife engraving this fellow is among the very best.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
June 5, 2015
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Kevin Jones said
Speaking of wildlife engraving this fellow is among the very best.
Are you sure that those are not laser engraving? The process uses photo detailing and is an amazing process. If it is hand engraved it is gorgeous and probably worth the price.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
March 21, 2016
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Vince said
Are you sure that those are not laser engraving? The process uses photo detailing and is an amazing process. If it is hand engraved it is gorgeous and probably worth the price.
No, hand engraved. A couple more incredible engravers are Firmo Fracassi and Barry Lee Hands.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015
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Manuel said
I’m no expert but the animals look quite good to me. The scrollwork seems a bit inconsistent but that’s possibly lighting or wear.
Mike
March 20, 2009
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Here is my factory original; engraved 1892. You can see how much more fine the engraving is compared to the original rifle in question.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
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I am a fan of factory engraving 
Michael – thanks for posting.
March 31, 2009
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Michael, that is a very nice and rare gun. No pistol grip? I surely am not complaining just curious.
July 16, 2013
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steve004 said
I am a fan of factory engravingMichael – thanks for posting.
Michael, do you know the whereabouts, of sn 10999, a factory engraved 92, 44wcf. it was found in australia, in 1986 and believed it went back to the states and sold by merz. I have the letter on it. apparently was an expo gun , it left and returned to the factory at least 2 dozen times.
tony
March 20, 2009
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Tony. R said
Michael, do you know the whereabouts, of sn 10999, a factory engraved 92, 44wcf. it was found in australia, in 1986 and believed it went back to the states and sold by merz. I have the letter on it. apparently was an expo gun , it left and returned to the factory at least 2 dozen times.
tony
Good morning Tony,
I have seen that rifle which was sold at Julia’s (Lot 1151) back in March of 2014 for $23,000. Also a straight grip stock like mine.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 20, 2009
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Chuck said
Michael, that is a very nice and rare gun. No pistol grip? I surely am not complaining just curious.
Hello Chuck,
You are correct. It is a straight grip stock. I will admit to liking the “cleaner” lines a bit more than the pistol grip style. I will post a photo of the entire rifle later today.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 20, 2009
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And while we are looking at straight grip stocked and engraved 1892’s here is another one. This is SN 11038 and was sold out of Morphy’s in October of 2018 as Lot 369 for $60,000!! It is a gorgeous rifle!!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
