Winchester 1892 Rifle - antique

[Ranger499]

So I walk into a pawn shop and spy a Winchester hiding in the corner. I ask to see it and the first thing that grabs me is the serial #, 147249 . . . (excuse the phone photos)



Quick check of the smart phone, it's an antique ! 25-20 WCF



It is filthy and has some surface rust, the wood is dinged, but not shrunk. It has a tang sight . . . .





It has a three leaf rear sight . . . notice all the dirt ! Old man behind the counter said the rifle was encrusted when it was pawned. They had to pry it off! If this thing could talk.....





And a fold over front sight, also encrusted in dirt . . .



Well, it's seen a lot of use since 1897 . . . .







and of course someone tried to kill it by putting a scope of some sort on it years and years ago . . .





The bore is decent with some frost that should clean up. I take about 3 seconds to decide I cannot let it die an unknown death at the pawnshop and proceed to trash the rifle's old outdated caliber, it's lousy condition, and the destruction wreaked on the barrel by some novice 'smith years ago . . . .

$375 out the door - put it on layaway until payday.

How'd I do? Personally, I think it'll clean up and make a fun shooter.

Thoughts?

[Tom Richardson]

Did you kiss the nice man?

[Ranger499]

No . . . but I could have. I did shake his hand a little to much before I left but played it off and cursed a little about having to now go buy 25-20 dies and brass and moulds . . . .

[derekr]

That rear and front sight are probably worth what you paid for the rifle. I like it!

[toroflow]

Not to be nitpicky, but I believe that is an 1892 Winchester.

[cable]

Sept 20, 2012 10:53:12 GMT -5 toroflow said:

Not to be nitpicky, but I believe that is an 1892 Winchester.

correct, and it should be a lot of fun.

heck, you could part it out for way more than you paid for it.....but dont do that!!

[Gary @ R&G]

You did good and it is a 92 not 94. You can fill the screw holes pretty easy. Midway USA videos on youtube shows an easy way using screws. The optional factory sights are $$$ and the tang sight is a bonus. 25-20 is alot of fun.

[Ranger499]

Sept 20, 2012 10:53:12 GMT -5 toroflow said:

Not to be nitpicky, but I believe that is an 1892 Winchester.

Not nitpicky at all - just FAT fingers !

[Ranger499]

Guys,

I was too excited to post the pics and didn't see my typo - 1892 it is.

I realized quickly the parts were worth more than I paid for it parting it out - BUT they're staying together.

A little TLC, some oil, reloading dies, brass, etc . . . . . It will be fun reviving this old shooter.

Might even send off for a letter from Cody to see if those sights were factory original . . . .

Thanks for the comments!