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I have a Model 92, mfg. 1913, 32 WCF with a half ammo tube. Barrel length is 18″. Does this seem right? I looked around online but have not found much about barrel length being this short.
Welcome to the Site,
Is it a Rifle or Carbine?
Octagon Barrel or Round?
Pictures tell a Thousand Words.
"I Would Have Rather Lived Through The Industrial Revaluation"
"Instead of The Space Age"
From
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Rifle, Octagon. I have pictures but when I upload them is says HTTP error?
They have to be under 1 meg in size or you will get that error.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
It sounds like you have a short barrel rifle but it could of been cut. The other way to tell is what the length of the forearm wood is. When Winchester made a short barrel rifle they shortened the forearm so the gun had the right proportions.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Hello,
I will be glad to help you with your rifle. Please send any and all photos to my email address [email protected] Your rifle is possibly all original as both the barrel and magazine dimensions could be special ordered from Winchester. Yo umight find this interesting also:
1892 Survey
http://forum.winchestercollector.org/viewtopic.php?t=3460&highlight=1892+research+survey
Thanks
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
It looks like it was cut short.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I agree with Bob, it looks like its been shortened from its original length.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Well thats disappointing. Leave as is or try and find a original barrel? I did not pay much for this 92, I guess I know why now. For a beginner where are some good sources for buying Winchester rifles? Not looking for steals as much as honest, originals.
If you are looking for help with buying a Winchester and have one in mind is to either take pictures of it or if its on a web sight like Gun Broker, ask for help here, that is what we are here for. Any place you can buy a Winchester you can get taken until you learn about them. We all have been in the same place you are starting out. Unfortunately most people ask for help after they have bought. Most dealers will give you an inspection period if you ask them, usually 3 days and if they don’t want to give you a inspection period, don’t buy from them. Guns shows are the only place you probable will not get inspection period since you should of looked at it before you paid but some dealer will stand behind a gun. I would suggest you buy “The Winchester Book” by George Madis, it covers many Winchester models and will teach you about the different configurations guns come in.
As far as the barrel, You can find a used barrel and make the gun whole, it will increase the value of the gun some. A original barrel might cost you $200-$300.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
If the rifle is in a letterable range and your trying to get it back to original you have a couple options (if it is not letterable then either option would work):
- If it was originally a button magazine rifle the chances of finding a 32-20 rifle barrel made for a button magazine configuration (no magazine retaining band dovetail) will be difficult unless the stars are shining bright and you happen to luck into one.
- If it was originally a full magazine standard rifle the barrel will still be tough to find the barrel but then you also have to find the small caliber magazine tube and retaining band, and a standard rifle forend cap. Also keep in mind, either direction it goes, your parts will need to match the condition of the rest of the rifle.
- Another route would be to find a cheap parts gun or one that has a drilled receiver or missing receiver parts and maybe used up wood diminishing its purchase value but the front end is intact– strip what parts you need and part out the rest to sell to recoup some of your investment.
Either way it sounds like more work than I would be willing to entertain and the return would be negligible if that. Whether most of us would admit it or not we’ve all been in your position at one time or another. You would probably be better off leaving the rifle as is and keeping for a shooter and enjoy it for what it is or selling/trading for something else.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Good advice here from 2 Veterans already. Its an enjoyable way to learn by just hanging around here.There used to be a great ‘Sticky’ here which was a condensed version of things to be beware of when buying (I think by Bert). Anyone know how to bring it back ?
Out of my lifelong interest in Winchesters ,my best knowledge has been accumulated last 4 years being lead to this site by a WACA member My ‘mentors’ as am impressionable kid were the sellers, (sometimes with my best interests not on the front burner) Confidence improved once I got the Madis book
Phil
Good morning Shawn,
Yes the rifle has definitely been cut down from, most likely, a 24 inch standard length barrel. I do believe that the magazine was an original half or, button magazine with the rounded cap as it is now. Often times when a full length magazine has been cut down the original flat faced magazine cap was just reused. I doubt that the rifle will letter since in the one photo of the receiver top I can not see the caliber designation stamped on the top flat of the barrel. Therefore the rifle most likely has a serial number above 420,000. The original factory ledgers from which the factory ledgers are deriver only exist up to SN 380,000. Can you please post a detail photo of the upper tang, the caliber stamp, the barrel address stamp and the serial number?
I would suggest just leaving the rifle as it is and not spend additional money on it. The chance of finding a correct barrel (with the correct markings for the rifle’s SN range) in matching condition is quite remote.
Thanks
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Here you go.
Also I know values can be subjective. Any good book source to use when estimating values? I have a current BB but I know values tend to vary depending on the subject.
For something like this I would try to buy at $450-500 or so and try to sell at $600-650 as is and move down the road. Its been a while since Ive bought or sold parts and it can vary depending on the market or individual parts. Ive sold complete small caliber receivers in the past for about $400-450, forend cap with button $40-60, barrel $35-50 (cut), wood (with buttplate) $150-175, sights $50-60.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Hello Shawn,
In answer to your original question regarding the barrel length, yes 18 inch barrel were possible to special order from Winchester. That said, they are quite uncommon and they do command a premium price if original. The barrels on a sporting rifle could be ordered in full inch increments from 12 to 36 inches. If the bore on your cut down rifle is in good condition just use it to shoot and you do not have to worry about reducing the potential value of the gun. Or unload it, lick your wounds, ask questions first next time, and have fun. We are happy to help.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
It’s a great model with strong action,and a great cartridge,effective accurate , and no felt recoil ,ammo easy to get, fun , why not shoot it
Phil
I agree. I will probably keep it just to shoot. If I remember correctly I paid $450 for the rifle so I did not take much of a hit. Plus if I find a deal on another 92 that needs parts I can always use this one to make a correct, complete rifle.
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