Bought another rifle but need help

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well I gone and done it again bought another rifle I didn't t need but I wanted it. Problem is I need some help with it for information as I a m stumped even Dr Google can't tell me much

It is an 1892 Winchester lever action in 25/20 wcf. Nothing unusual in that you say well here is where it gets interesting.
It has an original Winchester marked STAINLESS STEEL OCTAGONAL BARREL finish partially in the original Japan black.
Can anyone provide me with any information on the stainless barrel.
Thanks in advance
Bob

 

[Elton]

Will ask my wife, when Google does not know something they tend to phone her seeing as she knows everything.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Finally bought that one Bob?

 

[Shootist43]

Bob, not exactly the same as yours but close enough to give you somewhere to look.

Winchester Model 1892 92 STAINLESS STEEL Barrel 38 WCF

Winchester Model 1892 92 STAINLESS STEEL Barrel 38 WCF for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, not exactly the same as yours but close enough to give you somewhere to look.

Winchester Model 1892 92 STAINLESS STEEL Barrel 38 WCF

Winchester Model 1892 92 STAINLESS STEEL Barrel 38 WCF for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

@Shootist43
Similar but mine still has the curved steel but plate and it is an octagonal barrel.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Finally bought that one Bob?

@Wyatt Smith
Yes mate

 

[Shootist43]

Understood Bob, just thought the info might provide a time frame.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Understood Bob, just thought the info might provide a time frame.

@Shootist43
Thanks Art any information I can get on stainless barrels by Winchester prior to 1932 is great. Apparently they made a limited number between 1927 and 1932 but that's all I can find out. I know some of the early 220 swifts had stainless barrels but I thought that was later than 32.
Bob

 

[TOBY458]

I used to work with a guy who had one of these in 32/20 I believe. He inherited it from his dad as I recall. He ended up buying some ammo for it and we shot it a few times. Sweet shooting little rifle.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I used to work with a guy who had one of these in 32/20 I believe. He inherited it from his dad as I recall. He ended up buying some ammo for it and we shot it a few times. Sweet shooting little rifle.

@TOBY458
I have one of those as well that a good mate has been eyeing off for a long time. Yes they are a sweet little thing. It has the half mag and a 20 inch round barrel. Shoots really well to go with it.
Bob.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Finally picked up my 92 today. Any help anyone can give me is much appreciated.
Bob

The circle P from what I can find out signify it is a parts barrel that could be fitted after market. With the serial no indicating it was made in 1907 and stainless steel barrels made from 1927-1932 this would possibly be correct.
1

The markings on the barrel

The barrel has traces of the Japan black but the was known to wear off easily. I think it has a lovely patina for its age and would never restore it. Note the original sling svivels on the fore end magazine cap and the but. It also came with the sling and hook in fitting.

 

[sestoppelman]

Can you find ammo for that down there? Not easy to find here even. LGS got some in the other day,,, only $100 a box of 50!! I still have one box from my .25-20 from a couple years ago, a Marlin.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Can you find ammo for that down there? Not easy to find here even. LGS got some in the other day,,, only $100 a box of 50!! I still have one box from my .25-20 from a couple years ago, a Marlin.

@sestoppelman
You can get ammo for the 218 Bee and the 25/20 but Holy shit at $171 aud a box of 50 they can keep it.
I just bought 200 new Winchester cases for $160 aud and projectiles I can get for 54 dollars for 500 hard cast coated so not to bad. Small rifle primers have a few thousand and H4198 using 12.5 grains a couple of pounds should last a while. Dies I already have so set to roll. Just have to load a few and wait until the range opens again.
Bob

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Looks good Bob.

 

[fourfive8]

Yes, nice rifle there! Good find. I've always loved the '92s. IMO, slickest, short action lever ever made. And strong by design- thanks to Mr Browning

The only info I can find, for the moment, specific to this rifle in my references: those sling eyes (swivels) are correct and only special order and were never standard factory on the '92. The stainless barrel looks exactly right with the Japan finish mostly flaked off. The stainless barrel on the '92 was sort of an experiment and began in 1924, circa serial # 938,000 and only accounted for a relatively few before being discontinued. Winchester did not find the stainless barrel viable at the time. Most sources say the stainless barrel version does not increase collector value- however if the bore condition is good it should actually increase the value in my opinion... but I'm not an average collector in a wide but very thin market. The abandoned stainless barrel project could have been a cosmetic/marketing thing and may continue to be in a market focused "visual, cosmetic" condition. That 25-20 is an economic, easy to load and fun little cartridge! In the past, I've owned and shot several 92s in 25-20. When I get a chance, I'll look a little deeper into some other Win references and see if there is more info on your rifle's config.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Nice rifle! Can’t wait to hear how it shoots.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yes, nice rifle there! Good find. I've always loved the '92s. IMO, slickest, short action lever ever made. And strong by design- thanks to Mr Browning

The only info I can find, for the moment, specific to this rifle in my references: those sling eyes (swivels) are correct and only special order and were never standard factory on the '92. The stainless barrel looks exactly right with the Japan finish mostly flaked off. The stainless barrel on the '92 was sort of an experiment and began in 1924, circa serial # 938,000 and only accounted for a relatively few before being discontinued. Winchester did not find the stainless barrel viable at the time. Most sources say the stainless barrel version does not increase collector value- however if the bore condition is good it should actually increase the value in my opinion... but I'm not an average collector in a wide but very thin market. The abandoned stainless barrel project could have been a cosmetic/marketing thing and may continue to be in a market focused "visual, cosmetic" condition. That 25-20 is an economic, easy to load and fun little cartridge! In the past, I've owned and shot several 92s in 25-20. When I get a chance, I'll look a little deeper into some other Win references and see if there is more info on your rifle's config.

@fourfive8
Thanks mate that would be appreciated. I gave the bore a clean today and it looks pristine clean and sharp rifling.
Bob

 

[CBH Australia]

Finally picked up my 92 today. Any help anyone can give me is much appreciated.
BobView attachment 410903
The circle P from what I can find out signify it is a parts barrel that could be fitted after market. With the serial no indicating it was made in 1907 and stainless steel barrels made from 1927-1932 this would possibly be correct.
1View attachment 410904
The markings on the barrel
View attachment 410905View attachment 410906
The barrel has traces of the Japan black but the was known to wear off easily. I think it has a lovely patina for its age and would never restore it. Note the original sling svivels on the fore end magazine cap and the but. It also came with the sling and hook in fitting.

Nice Tree, I've seen that somewhere before.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yes, nice rifle there! Good find. I've always loved the '92s. IMO, slickest, short action lever ever made. And strong by design- thanks to Mr Browning

The only info I can find, for the moment, specific to this rifle in my references: those sling eyes (swivels) are correct and only special order and were never standard factory on the '92. The stainless barrel looks exactly right with the Japan finish mostly flaked off. The stainless barrel on the '92 was sort of an experiment and began in 1924, circa serial # 938,000 and only accounted for a relatively few before being discontinued. Winchester did not find the stainless barrel viable at the time. Most sources say the stainless barrel version does not increase collector value- however if the bore condition is good it should actually increase the value in my opinion... but I'm not an average collector in a wide but very thin market. The abandoned stainless barrel project could have been a cosmetic/marketing thing and may continue to be in a market focused "visual, cosmetic" condition. That 25-20 is an economic, easy to load and fun little cartridge! In the past, I've owned and shot several 92s in 25-20. When I get a chance, I'll look a little deeper into some other Win references and see if there is more info on your rifle's config.

@fourfive8
Thanks mate that would be appreciated. I gave the bore a clean today and it looks pristine clean and sharp rifling.
Bob

Nice Tree, I've seen that somewhere before.

@CBH Australia
It's my main back drop for gun photos mate.
Bob

 

[Randy F]

Cool looking shooter Bob.