This is a very strong example of an early 2nd year production Model 1892 Sporting Rifle in untouched condition.  Its in Caliber 44-40 with a 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, crescent rifle buttplate, and standard sights.  Antique serial number is in the 30,000 range which dates its production to the year 1893.  Overall condition is NRA Antique Excellent Plus with 96% bright shiny receiver blue with Winchester factory forging striation marks peaking through the blue in places.  This is without question, the original finish on this rifle. The only significant wear is on the top right side of the frame in front of the hammer and thinning out on the upper tang a little...otherwise, its full coverage of original blue including the belly of the frame.  The loading port still shows 95% vivid fire blue.  Early style hammer with decorative dipped checkering pattern shows 95% strong vivid case colors while the lever shows 60% mostly bright case colors with the balance light or faded to a nickelly silver. The colors are fantastic still showing lots of vivid hues of blue, yellow, green, burnt reds, purples, and orange.  Bolt retains 99% bright original blue with even the extractor retaining most of its original fire blue.  The barrel and magazine tube have 99% strong original blue remaining with a nice early 2 line barrel address.  Standard sights include the semi-buckhorn rear sight (97% bright blue) and standard front sight with German silver blade without the set screw which is correct for an 1893 vintage Winchester.  The wood is just fantastic retaining 95% original varnish with the only wear showing at the back of the forend where the rifle was carried.  The wood has never darkened with age and still has its light orangish-red color.  The wood to metal fit is perfect...its probably never even been off of the gun.  The rifle has perfect mechanics and the bore is near perfect....bright and shiny like a mirror with perfect rifling and only a few pinpricks.  Its at least a 9 out of 10.  This is one of the nicest early production Model 1892's. You just don't find many 44-40's with octagon barrels like this any more.

Item# 0405

SOLD