Winchester 1892 with Strong Military conection…………..(f 747) SOLD

Highly Interesting Canadian Proofed WWI Winchester 92

A great example of a combination of areas of interest, all encapsulated in one firearm.  We have the obvious lever-action details angle.  The history of a truly classic rifles and the lineage of the  Winchester breed.  Also, a definite military connection from world war one.  In brief, a shortfall in rifle numbers resulted in an approach to the Winchester company requiring something in the region of 5 to 7,000 rifles.  Rifles chosen were model 1892’s and 1894 carbines.  The need had arisen within the Navy branch of the services.  The U-boat menace had surfaced within the supply lines from Canada and America. Measures were being taken to deal with it.  A request was made to the Canadian proof authorities to send a group of inspectors to the Winchester plant in order to inspect the required rifles.  This they did in the year 1915 and weapons they inspected gained the additional marking of the crossed flags with the letters “D, C, P,”  Dominion of Canada Proof.  The Winchesters were issued to Torpedo Boat Destroyers and the Q-ships.  There are spectacular accounts of gun battles with surfaced U-boats. Details were supplied by the Officers involved which can be read and researched.  In 1918 HMS Vindictive carried Winchesters on the Zeeburge Raid.  This 1892 has the Canadian proof on the crest of the barrel, behind the rear sights and adjacent to the factory Winchester proof mark.

So, what we have here is a rare animal indeed, in that its a Winchester, with actual military history wrapped around it. Apart from the 1895 rifles this is not a usual thing for what was generally a civilian arm.  The group of serial numbers that have been found with the Canadian service marks on them are all within the 730,000 to 780,000 range.  This little carbine bares the serial number “742654” on the underside of the action.  Everything seems to line up.

Of standard Winchester Saddle Ring Carbine specification and chambered in .44 W.C.F.  Two piece stock with correct musket type steel butt-plate. (Although the wood to metal fit does leave a little gap – uneven drying – sea life perhaps!)  This might be born-out by mild pitting on the steel surface of the rifle in certain places.  Sea air never having being a good friend of blued metal-work.  There is some mild pitting on the outside of the tubular magazine and barrel bands.  Calibre markings clearly state “44 W C F ” on barrel near breech.

This carbine is 37.1/2″ in overall length.  The round (once) blued barrel is 20″ in length.  The trigger pull is a nominal 13″ to the centre.  Underneath the round barrel is a full-length tubular magazine which will hold a minimum of 10 rounds.  Blued, sprung steel loading gate on the RHS of the action.  Saddle ring mounted on the LHS of the action.  There is a ware mark associated with the ring on the side of the action.  The finish has suffered but, as mentioned before these rifles saw service in the most inhospitable place on earth for a firearm; namely the sea!   The blued finish has remained in sheltered areas on the weapon and in patches on the action and barrel.  Some remains on the lever, trigger and butt-plate.  The stocks are in good condition with no splits or shakes noticeable.  A n even patina has formed over the entire surface of the wood and the wood to metal fit is good.  There is a minor chip missing on the top flat of the fore-end but this is to be expected on a weapon of this vintage.

The top tang at the rear of the action is marked with the following details: “MODEL 1892 /WINCHESTER / TRADE MARKS _ _ _ _ _ OFF”  The last part is illegible due to wear.  The rear sight is a ladder type with graduations marked upon the surface from 0 to 20.  The aiming picture will be an open “V” in both positions.  The front sight is a pinned blade on a block.  The action is smooth but still positive and the hammer marked with a checkered thumb-piece.  The bore on this .44 is very good considering is service life. For the most part it appears clean and bright with no obvious pitting or misting. On the outside upper surface of the barrel between the rear sights and the mid-band are the following details: “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO’ / NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.  PATENTED OCTOBER 14 1894”

An exciting opportunity to get a carbine with specific history and only the second such example I have seen in over ten years of trading.

Stock No f 747

£ 1425.  SOLD

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