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Winchester Model 1892 .32 WCF Saddle Ring Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,700.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
Winchester Model 1892 .32 WCF Saddle Ring Carbine
This lot has a Winchester 1892, Saddle Ring Carbine in popular and scarce .32 WCF (.32-20) caliber, made in 1930. This carbine with serial number 998053 is in fine and original overall condition. One of the last of the great Model 1892s, this carbine was made a year after the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression that lasted until World War II. Production of all Winchester rifles during this time was extremely limited and examples made during this time period are rare. The Model 1892, was one of Jonathan Browning’s best designs that incorporated all of the strength of the famed large caliber Model 1886 into a compact receiver intended for revolver length cartridges. Many frontiersmen, homesteaders and woodsmen relied on this model for all of their shooting needs. The
Model 1892 replaced the relatively weak Model 1873 action and was intended to digest modern, smokeless powder ammunition that became available in the late 1890s. More full length, 24” barreled rifles were produced by Winchester than 20” barreled carbines. This makes carbines much more difficult for collectors and shooters to locate today. Most carbines seem to have been chambered in .25-20 and .38-40 which makes finding a carbine in .32-20 very difficult. This example shows fine thinning, but uncleaned blue on the barrel and magazine that now displays a most attractive aged appearance. The receiver is also uncleaned and shows a gray patina with good blue on the loading gate.
The saddle ring is intact and the stock and forearm display a good wood to metal fit. Additionally, the bore is minty bright all the way through, just as it was when it left the factory. This is uncommon as most carbines saw hard use and the bore conditions reflect this by being worn and deeply pitted. This carbine is equipped with a correct Winchester carbine ladder sight with slide intact mated with a correct standard Winchester carbine front sight. All screw heads are in very good condition. All Winchester address and patent markings on the barrel are correct and sharp as are all Winchester proof marks and the caliber designation. Additional Winchester markings are distinct on the upper tang. The action is tight and the safety half-cock holds securely. The .32-20 chambering was especially popular with sheep herders who lived out of wagons for weeks at a time. Their Winchester .25-20 and .32-20 caliber carbines were frequently used to protect their flocks from coyotes and wolves. This is a particularly
attractive and fine 93 year old example that would be right at home in the finest Winchester or Old West collection. Finding a Model 1892 Saddle Ring carbine in .32-20 caliber is difficult and finding one with a pristine bore is even more difficult! The rifle weighs 5lbs 12oz. Serial Number: 998053. This firearm qualifies as a Curio & Relic firearm, and requires an FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.*