Log In
August 22, 2026
Offline
Hi guys.
Long term lurker, first time poster. I’ve got a line on a Winchester 1892 SRC for $750 plus tax at a Bass pro shop. I’ve got the gun on hold with a refundable deposit and would like to get your thoughts before moving forward
Serial number indicates 1910 production. Barrel definitely has been replaced with a later barrel. Kind of stumped on what the “E” near the serial number indicates.
Would love to know your thoughts on what’s good about it, what’s wrong, and would you move forward with a purchase if it was your $750? Let’s assume bore is in good condition and able to be shot.
Link to photos on bass pro site is here:
https://www.basspro.com/p/102116882
Thanks!
Stephen
February 17, 2022
Offline
I would say as long as you want a shootable 44wcf it should be ok. Has a lot of detractors as far as a collector grade gun. Stock is in rough shape and has been heavily sanded and looks like it was sprayed with tung oil. No finish on receiver and replaced barrel. Rear sight looks like it is a modern reproduction as does the front. Top screw on butt plate looks totally incorrect. On second thought I would get my money back.
August 22, 2026
Offline
Thanks! I appreciate the comments. I’ve been down the 1911 handgun road of buy first and ask educated people questions later. Don’t want to repeat that mistake on the lever action side as well.
Stephen
November 7, 2015
Offline
If your goal is to collect Winchesters pass on this one. If you want a shooter, check ammo prices and the bore. A better 1892 will cost 2-3 times the price of this one but it will be easier to sell to a collector when and if the time comes. They know they have a clunker and priced it accordingly. They may have a better 1892 or other Winchester available soon or at another store. They are happy to have it shipped to a store near you but I’m not up to date on that procedure any more. I bought several “shooters”, had fun and learned a lot, but listen to the smart folks who tell you to buy the best gun you like and can afford.
Mike
February 11, 2018
Offline
It is always worth looking at and checking it real good. Just because it is not a safe queen doesn’t mean it won’t shoot paper at 50 yards.
November 19, 2006
Offline
As everyone knows, it’s a shooter and not a collector. I don’t know where you’d find a .44-40 M1892 SRC for less. The fact that it has a later barrel is a plus (given we’ve established it’s not a collector gun). That increases the likelihood the bore is favorable. If it shoots with enough accuracy to suit your needs and feeds/ejects fine, it should serve its purpose, for minimal financial outlay.
March 20, 2009
Offline
Sadly the link is not longer active so I can not reply. What was the SN of the rifle? I may have it in my survey already.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
August 22, 2026
Offline
Hi Michael,
The serial # is 700846.
Thanks.
Stephen
November 19, 2006
Offline
Maybe it already sold? There is risk to bringing up something like this here. The increased attention (e.g. members and the very many lurkers) escalates the number who suddenly become aware of it. It only takes one buyer.
Not me by the way.
March 20, 2009
Offline
iamdman9545 said
Hi Michael,
The serial # is 700846.
Thanks.
Stephen
Thank you. That rifle sold for $1600 in April of 2025 out of Hessney Auction. https://hessney.hibid.com/lot/239799030/winchester-model-1892–44-40-wcf–lever-action?ref=catalog The finish on the butt plate and metal end cap is obviously not original and the butt stock fit looks at bit weird. I am surprised that it was for sale for $750!! That might have been a scam and it just saved you $$$!!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
Offline
twobit said
iamdman9545 said
Hi Michael,
The serial # is 700846.
Thanks.
Stephen
Thank you. That rifle sold for $1600 in April of 2025 out of Hessney Auction. https://hessney.hibid.com/lot/246271679/winchester-model-1892-lever-action-rifle?ref=catalog The finish on the butt plate and metal end cap is obviously not original and the butt stock fit looks at bit weird. I am surprised that it was for sale for $750!! That might have been a scam and it just saved you $$$!!
Michael
Michael –
The link you posted leads to a M1892 .32-20 rifle.
March 20, 2009
Offline
steve004 said
twobit said
iamdman9545 said
Hi Michael,
The serial # is 700846.
Thanks.
Stephen
Thank you. That rifle sold for $1600 in April of 2025 out of Hessney Auction. https://hessney.hibid.com/lot/246271679/winchester-model-1892-lever-action-rifle?ref=catalog The finish on the butt plate and metal end cap is obviously not original and the butt stock fit looks at bit weird. I am surprised that it was for sale for $750!! That might have been a scam and it just saved you $$$!!
Michael
Michael –
The link you posted leads to a M1892 .32-20 rifle.
OOOOOPS!! I have made the change. Thanks.
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
Offline
I wonder what’s up here? You did fix the link and it now leads to a M1892 .44-40 with the serial number the OP reported. However, it is a rifle. The link the OP posted (when it worked) went to a .44-40 SRC.
August 22, 2026
Offline
My bad guys. I’m going off a screenshot I managed to take on my phone before the link died. Serial number image wasn’t the clearest with my camera. I thought it was 700846. It could also be 700848. The last digit is blurred in my shot. First digit is somewhat blurrred as well. Here is the image I managed to capture:
March 20, 2009
Offline
THAT rifle was just listed on Guns International as supposedly being for sale at Cabela’s in Billing, MT. When I tried to access the listing on the Cabela’s site I got a “Could not find item” notice. Here are the images of the gun.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
Offline
And here’s what $3000 will buy you in a 1892 .44-40 SRC
No blue, cracks in the wood and as a bonus, a social security number inscribed on the receiver:
The Cabala’s one is sounding more like a scam.
March 20, 2009
Offline
steve004 said
And here’s what $3000 will buy you in a 1892 .44-40 SRC
No blue, cracks in the wood and as a bonus, a social security number inscribed on the receiver:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1892/winchester-model-1892-src-in-44-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103763089
The Cabala’s one is sounding more like a scam.
I would tend to say that the current $3000 asking price by Merz is definitely on the high end. He bought it at RIA for $2350 in February of 2024 as Lot #4172 and listed it in April of 2024 at $3000. For 2 years people have looked at it and said “no”.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
April 30, 2023
Offline
The Cabela’s one is not likely a scam. It probably sold and it gets removed from their web site instantly almost. They also list secondarily on GI and those run up to a week behind getting removed once sold. Probably normal for their timelines of selling that I’ve seen.
Having said that, once you see it on GI, Cabela’s has already had it up on their own web site for a bit already. It’s not uncommon to hit your GI saved searches and by the time you get an alert, it’s already gone.
November 19, 2006
Offline
twobit said
steve004 said
And here’s what $3000 will buy you in a 1892 .44-40 SRC
No blue, cracks in the wood and as a bonus, a social security number inscribed on the receiver:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1892/winchester-model-1892-src-in-44-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103763089
The Cabala’s one is sounding more like a scam.
I would tend to say that the current $3000 asking price by Merz is definitely on the high end. He bought it at RIA for $2350 in February of 2024 as Lot #4172 and listed it in April of 2024 at $3000. For 2 years people have looked at it and said “no”.
Michael
Michael –
I certainly agree with you on the price point for Merz’s .44-40. I’m surprised he would shell out $2350 for it. However, I’m thinking his is likely a better deal than the carbine the OP posted (given sending money off for that carbine might result in NO carbine)!
December 9, 2002
Offline
steve004 said
twobit said
steve004 said
And here’s what $3000 will buy you in a 1892 .44-40 SRC
No blue, cracks in the wood and as a bonus, a social security number inscribed on the receiver:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1892/winchester-model-1892-src-in-44-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103763089
The Cabala’s one is sounding more like a scam.
I would tend to say that the current $3000 asking price by Merz is definitely on the high end. He bought it at RIA for $2350 in February of 2024 as Lot #4172 and listed it in April of 2024 at $3000. For 2 years people have looked at it and said “no”.
Michael
Michael –
I certainly agree with you on the price point for Merz’s .44-40. I’m surprised he would shell out $2350 for it. However, I’m thinking his is likely a better deal than the carbine the OP posted (given sending money off for that carbine might result in NO carbine)!
That scratched in S S number on the receiver is an immediate turn off for most. IMO!
The lack of finish on the .44 src, is a common condition for most that saw the hard use they saw, as you guy’s are well aware of. That thing would be long gone if not for the S S Number!
Tony
1 Guest(s)
