Free guns are always nice…I guess. Now what to do with it, and opinions of it…that’s another subject. Have fun and learn a little along the way would be my suggestion. 

And what kind of info are you looking for? I do know that if you lever a round into the chamber and pull the trigger it will go bang…and hopefully go out the end of the barrel. 

I think the 25-20 caliber is not to rare. I like the round as it is pretty accurate at short distances and no kick. The have round barrel on a 1892 is a desirable feature for sure. Michael (twobit rifles) can tell you how rare that is. It will be challenging for you to find all of the correct parts to restore this rifle to it’s original condition and have it not look like you did exactly that. 

Yes the forearm wood is from a carbine and the rest of the gun is a rifle. Just yell MICHAEL and if he is around and not fishing or shooting pigs, he will be here 

Again, it is going to be a little tough finding the correct parts that will match the present condition of your rifle, especially the forend wood. Exact parts and time period have nothing to do with condition or patina. You’ll find out when you set a different forend next to your butt stock. Texture, color, sheen, wear etc will be noticeably different and will stick out like a sore thumb…unless you are extremely lucky. The same with metal pieces from my experience.

A lot of people like to shoot the .25-20 cartridge.  Among collectors, I would say it is the least desirable of the four original chamberings. Seems to me, in the M1892, I see more .25-20 rifles for sale than other rifles.  I’m not trying to rain on your parade – I have several .25-20’s – in both rifle and carbine versions. The half octagon barrel helps some, however, in an altered rifle, it doesn’t mean much.  If it were mine, I would definitely look for the correct forend.  Ebay often has original Winchester wood for sale.  You just have to be patient.  I would say finding a correct original forend would increase the value.  If you’re lucky and you find one with matching color, condition, sheen, etc., it would be better. 

As I said, were it mine, I would find an original rifle forearm for it – I know it can be done.  Again, not to rain on your parade (too much 😉 ) but that carbine forearm really makes it look unsightly.  One of the most common problems with the (original) replacement wood out there is that may have been refinished.  And more problematic, sanded undersized.  This is easier to detect when it is on a rifle – it is much easier to visually see if it is undersized.  And yes, visually trying to find a color match to your buttstock is what you are after.  The handicap here is if you are buying off Ebay (or anything involving internet photos), the lighting used in the photos, the quality of the photos, etc., can result in something looking different than expected when you open the box. 

It’s always a bit of a gamble.  Still were it mine, I would look for the closet match I could find on ebay and buy it.

Oh, as far as collectability or desirability, it doesn’t always come down to rarity.  There were less .25-20’s made than .44-40’s, but the .44-40 is King of the 1892 Roost when it comes to getting people’s blood racing and digging deep in their pockets.  The same is true of some of the M1886 chamberings.  The .38-70 and .40-70 chamberings are rare.  The .45-70 and .45-90 were much more common yet generally bring the bigger money. 

I wish you well in your project.

The half round barrel is rare.  As far as the caliber, sometimes things are rare because they were not that desirable at the time compared to the other calibers.

If you find one that has NOT been altered/sanded and it matches in color etc, just keep you hand in the air till you own it.