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November 12, 2024
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I have an interesting 1892 Winchester carbine in .44-40. . It has deluxe wood( xxx) and Winchester sling swivel studs. Condition is 90 % +. I have not consulted the Cody museum. What puzzle’s me is the serial number. It starts with the letter “L”. From what I can find in all literature, there was never a letter used in the serialization of this model of Winchester. However, from my experience this is an original Winchester from New Haven Connecticut. I would love to upload photos but I have problems with file formats as such. Before I waste time doing so, am I wasting time?
Brent McPhee.
April 15, 2005
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Brent,
The leading digit is actually a poorly made “1” versus an “L”. It is found on the late 5-digit (90000+) and very early 6-digit serial number on the Models 1892, 1894 and 1897.
Here are several examples;
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 20, 2009
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Hello Brent,
If you will email the images to me I can deal with the format issue and post them for you. [email protected]
The changing morphology of the ones digit used in serial numbers within the Model 1892 sequence is a bit interesting. Early rifles had a one with a clearly defined upper serif and that style is typical until about the 70000 range when the upper serif disappears and the bottom serif alternates from being on each side of the vertical thus producing a one which looks like and inverted “T” or the bottom serif is only found on the right side resulting in the one resembling an “L”. This usage is consistent all throughout the 100000 serial number range and continues well into the early 300000 range with the “T” version the most common. Finally, in the mid 300000’s does the upper serif begin to be slightly present again. By the early 400000 range the horizontal upper serif is quite strongly pronounced and visible. By the early 500000 serial number series the upper serif is changed again to a more common presentation and angled downward to the left.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
December 9, 2002
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Michael,
The added information and pictures, besides what Bert had posted truly helps many of us to understand this model better.
We’re grateful for members like you, and Bert for the time and dedication to our beloved hobby! 
Tony
March 20, 2009
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Anthony said
Michael,
The added information and pictures, besides what Bert had posted truly helps many of us to understand this model better.
We’re grateful for members like you, and Bert for the time and dedication to our beloved hobby!
Tony
Thanks so much for the kind words Tony. It is nice to hear that others find what we do as useful and beneficial. Being a science centric kind of guy I recognized that there was a vast amount of “data” floating around via all of the online sales and images. All that needed to be done was to capture it all and then synthesize the info. Yeah, it’s been a lot of time but it is also rewarding to learn new things and help others.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
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Anthony said
Michael,
The added information and pictures, besides what Bert had posted truly helps many of us to understand this model better.
We’re grateful for members like you, and Bert for the time and dedication to our beloved hobby!
Tony
I echo Tony’s comments completely. Model 1892’s are a model I have had quite a bit of familiarity with. But even more now! It is satisfying to progressively be able to, “make sense” of the various variations and changes Winchester made over the years. Bert and Michael stand out as Winchester gurus who have enhanced my knowledge over what totals many years now.
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