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March 25, 2010
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I’ve recently acquired an old model 92 rifle that has more misfit parts than Johnny Cash’s Cadillac! The receiver has an early five digit serial number that dates around 1894, the stock is poorly fitted from something else and the barrel and tube I believe are 32wcf model 65 parts from 1939. Now I’m wondering what to do with it. I originally bought it sight unseen with two other older Winchester rifles. I don’t think I got too hurt on the price, but I’m just confused at this point. It’s been suggested that I try to find parts and assemble a model 92, but that’s really not my style. I also thought of finding a 218 bee barrel and build a toy but I don’t know if it’s compatible with the 32wcf frame, bolt, etc.. The gun has a good bore and looks to be well cared for by the previous owner. I originally thought about turning it for a profit but I’m not really sure it’s worth much after picking it up. I more or less put this up for entertainment but what do you guys think?
April 15, 2005
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I would leave it as is, and sell it to the first person who wants a project gun.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 25, 2010
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What do you think would be a fair price to ask for something like this? I have your book as a guide but this is obviously nocomparable with a factory gun.
April 15, 2005
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Approximately $400.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 25, 2010
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Thanks for the opinion. I think it will probably get shot by me around the house! Not worth enough to sell so I’ll just have some fun with it.
March 20, 2009
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Hello Shays,
What is the serial number of the “rifle”? Can you post a photo of the upper tang stamp?
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 25, 2010
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Sure thing…………
July 7, 2016
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I know there are purists who will turn their nose up at this gun, but I sort of like it. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for rifles which look like they have a story to tell.
The repairs don’t look like recent work. If it is vintage patchwork, then it’s still a keeper in my book. Keep it, shoot it, and wonder about why someone pieced it together the way they did. Before the days of collecting and safe queens, or eBay and GunBroker. Before the days when anyone would piece together a rifle in order to scam someone, somebody cobbled this rifle together as best they could with the only parts they could find or afford. They did it to keep an important tool functional for their farm or trap line or to put food on the table for the family. Whatever the case, there’s a lot more history in your rifle than there is in a new-in-the-box examble. Give it a special place in your safe alongside those rifles which are too nice to shoot.
That’s my $0.02… and it’s probably worth what you paid for it! 🙂
Justin
November 7, 2015
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Frankenstein guns need love too! I like the old beast but I haven’t met an “experienced” rifle I didn’t like and this old rifle has certainly been there, done that. No doubt it was a special rifle to someone who loved hunting with a good levergun, that’s enough for me!
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