Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine .44 WCF 16" SRC Lever Rifle C&R
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $6,050.00
This Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine is an early 20th-century example of John M. Browning’s compact lever-action design, chambered in .44 Winchester Center Fire and manufactured in 1905. Featuring a factory 16-inch barrel confirmed by a Cody Firearms Museum record, this carbine represents a scarce configuration within Model 1892 production and reflects the hard use and honest wear typical of working rifles from the era.
Identification
MMA#: 250903GN015
Make: Winchester
Model: 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine (SRC)
Serial Number: 294561
Year of Manufacture: 1905
Caliber: .44 WCF (.44-40 Winchester)
Action Type: Lever-action rifle with side loading gate and tubular magazine
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Sights / Optics
Front sight is a blade pinned into a slotted base fixed to the barrel. Rear sight is a two-position folding Winchester carbine “V”-notch sight. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition
Two-piece smooth wood stocks with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel carbine-style buttplate. The wood shows scattered scuffs, shallow scratches, minor compressions, and light handling marks. Length of pull measures approximately 12 3/4 inches. The buttplate exhibits finish loss, erosion, and areas of oxidation. Overall stock condition: Fine.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
This rifle retains approximately 80% of its original metal finish. There are areas of erosion and discoloration from past oxidation, most notably on the right side of the receiver, along with scattered nicks, scuffs, and edge wear. The muzzle shows a few light scrapes, and there is standard operational wear throughout. Screw heads range from sharp to lightly worn, and markings remain clear. Overall condition: Very Good.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: Light gray with shallow rifling that remains sharp where not interrupted by erosion. Pitting is present. Bore rated 5/10.
Mechanics: Action functions correctly on inspection. This firearm has not been test-fired. Cleaning and inspection are recommended prior to use.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
Included is a Cody Firearms Museum factory record.
Our Assessment
The Winchester Model 1892 was John Browning’s refined, scaled-down successor to the Model 1886, engineered specifically for pistol-caliber cartridges. It replaced the Model 1873 and quickly earned a reputation for strength, smooth operation, and reliability. The Model 1892 became widely used by ranchers and outdoorsmen and later achieved iconic status through its extensive use in Western films and television, most famously by John Wayne.
This example is a Saddle Ring Carbine manufactured in 1905 and chambered in .44 WCF, fitted with a factory 16-inch barrel as confirmed by the accompanying Cody record. Short-barreled Model 1892 carbines are notably scarce, with only a small fraction produced below standard barrel length. While the bore shows wear consistent with age and corrosive-era ammunition, the rifle retains strong mechanics and clear markings. It presents as an honest, field-used Winchester and would make a solid addition to a Winchester, lever-action, or early American sporting rifle collection.
The Mt. McCoy Auctions Difference
At Mt. McCoy Auctions we create durable archival records for every firearm we handle, documenting specifications, condition, and historical context with professional photography. These records provide collectors and researchers with accurate long-term references while ensuring consignors benefit from knowledgeable handling, national exposure, and secure settlement.
