Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
New member here with an 1892 in .44-40
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 7
Member Since:
September 15, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
September 16, 2023 - 12:02 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

winchester-1892-44-40.jpgImage Enlarger44-WCF-1892.jpgImage Enlargerreal-winchester-44-40.jpgImage Enlargerbuilt-in-1894-by-serial-number.jpgImage EnlargerHi folks ! A new member Larry here and I just recently aquired a nice 1892 rifle chambered .44-40 with a 1894-95 build date according to one source.

Looks to be in good shape and everything functions okay with a range trip tomorrow to see how it shoots.  The barrel measures 21.5 inches and is that a correct length for a factory Winchester? Barrel has correct looking markings that are as worn looking as rest of rifle. Serial number is 467xx.

Will be looking forward to learn more about the old 1892 Winchesters!

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1979
Member Since:
September 22, 2011
sp_UserOnlineSmall Online
2
September 16, 2023 - 1:35 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

The barrel should be 24”.  How are you measuring the barrel?  It should be the entire length including the end of it as it threads into the frame and not just to the front of the receiver.

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 11707
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
September 16, 2023 - 1:40 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

As mentioned, the barrel should be 24-inches long.  The partial serial number you mention indicates that it was manufactured in July 1895.  If you want to know the exact date, and what the as built configuration was, the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office can provide a factory letter (for a modest fee) with that information.

Bert

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 7
Member Since:
September 15, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
September 16, 2023 - 2:54 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Well this is what I have. Barrel looks to be as old as the rest of rifle. Think it was just cut down and if so why to 21 inch?

Thanks for your help.21.5-barrel.jpgImage Enlargermuzzle-end.jpgImage EnlargerYes I plan on getting the factory letter for it.

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1799
Member Since:
June 4, 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
September 16, 2023 - 12:22 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

    The end of the barrel has been cut, that’s why the barrel ban is so close to the muzzle. T/R

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2360
Member Since:
March 20, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
September 16, 2023 - 12:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Good morning,

That rifle was sold at Poulin Auction in May of 2016 for $950 and then offered by Merz later that same month for $1575.  As mentioned, both the barrel and magazine have been cut down approximately 3 inches from the original length.  The correct configuration for the end of the barrel is show in the attached images.

FS-Dovetail-Comp.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1043.JPGImage Enlarger

 

 

Michael

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

Signature-Pic.jpg

 

Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation

Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 7
Member Since:
September 15, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
September 16, 2023 - 8:50 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

twobit said
Good morning,

That rifle was sold at Poulin Auction in May of 2016 for $950 and then offered by Merz later that same month for $1575.  As mentioned, both the barrel and magazine have been cut down approximately 3 inches from the original length.  The correct configuration for the end of the barrel is show in the attached images.

FS-Dovetail-Comp.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1043.JPGImage Enlarger

 

 

Michael

  

Thanks for the info twobit!

Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 7
Member Since:
September 15, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
September 17, 2023 - 5:19 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

HSM-44-40-loads-thru-1892-Winchester-20-yds..jpgImage Enlargerrange-day-with-the-winchester-1892-44-40-1.jpgImage Enlargerrange-targets-setup-on-9-16-23-1.jpgImage EnlargerHere is my target with my first several shoots from 20 yds.  I see what could be either a pair of key hole hits or a lucky pair of two shots in one hole.

Slugged the barrel this morning and it checks out at .430 all the way and the HSM ammo I was shooting the bullet was .428. Thinking a .430 would shoot much better!  Another thing I shot 35 rounds yesterday and took me a good while to get a clean barrel. Bore didn’t look leaded up but when you cleaned it with brush and patch it look like black oil running out the barrel. Finally got a patch to come out clean and think the bore roughness due to pitting was wearing off some lead from the bullet.  I do have some 200 gr. plated bullets that measure .430 that might work much better for my occasional shooting. That bullet with 9 gr. of Unique is a very accurate round out of my Uberti 1873 .44 Mag rifle.

Some pictures from my range.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4719
Member Since:
November 19, 2006
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
September 17, 2023 - 6:06 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

fortyshooter said
Well this is what I have. Barrel looks to be as old as the rest of rifle. Think it was just cut down and if so why to 21 inch?

Thanks for your help.21.5-barrel.jpgImage Enlargermuzzle-end.jpgImage EnlargerYes I plan on getting the factory letter for it.

  

The barrel was probably shortened a good while back.  Sometimes barrels are shortened due to damage.  In that case, the cut is usually located just far enough back from the damaged area.  Sometimes barrels were shortened just because the owner wants a shorter barrel.  Oftentimes a measuring tape wasn’t even used – the owner just picked a location that looked about right.  Even if a gunsmith was used, the owner might have simply requested three inches be taken off.  

Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 7
Member Since:
September 15, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
September 17, 2023 - 6:11 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yes over a hundred years lots of things can happen to a rifle.  Happy though to have it and it functions fine!

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 5641
Chuck: 5067
steve004: 4719
1873man: 4500
Big Larry: 2456
twobit: 2360
mrcvs: 1979
TR: 1799
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 13589
Posts: 120012

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1914
Members: 9331
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation