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LOT 23
Excellent Winchester Model 92 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine in
.44 W.C.F. - Serial no. 992219, 44 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured in 1929, this is an exceptional example of the Winchester Model 92 saddle
ring carbine. The Model 1892 was intended by Winchester as a more rugged replacement for their
prolific but dated Model 1873 as well as a competitor the Marlin Model 1889 which had recently
been released. For such a design, Winchester again approached the legendary American firearms
designer John Moses Browning who had already delivered the successful Model 1885 single shot,
Model 1886 lever action rifle, and Model 1887 lever action shotgun for the company. It is said
that Browning told Winchester that if he didn’t deliver a prototype within a month, the design
would be free. In typical John Browning fashion, he delivered it in half that time. The Model 1892
went on to become a success, being popular for many of the same reasons as the Model 1873,
including sharing many calibers with the iconic Colt Single Action Army revolver. For this reason,
the ‘92 remained widely used, particularly in the American West, well into the 20th century by
ranchers and other rural folk in need of dependable protection. The upper right of the barrel has
the standard two-line address, while the left is marked with the model, trademark, and caliber.
The upper tang is has the three-line trademark, and the serial number is marked on the bottom of
the receiver. It is fitted with a pinned Sheard beaded blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight,
and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip
stock with a carbine buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original blue finish with a small flake absent from
the proof on top of the receiver and some light brown freckling on the barrel band and the
edges of the lever. The wood is exceptionally fine with only the slightest handling marks apart
from a minor split on the bottom of the forearm. There are faint traces of a protective varnish
scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. It would be very difficult to find a finer example of
Winchester’s Model 92 saddle ring carbine!
Estimate: 17,000 - 25,000
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