Winchester 1892 Question

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87lc
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Winchester 1892 Question

Post by 87lc »

I know of an 1892 that might be for sale. I know the person and want to give an honest offer. Its an 1892 Winchester, according to the serial number it was made in 1910, overall quality looks good. Knowing that, I would think it could be worth more. Here is the kicker, I think it has been re barreled. On the barrel it just says 44 MAG GUNIC. Any idea what the GUNIC means? It also has had a recoil pad put on. Both of those I would think would reduce the value. It does have what looks like a metal shield shape plate just above the lower sling post. I'll see if I can post pictures.
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Malamute
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Malamute »

Rifle or carbine?

Did they cut the original stock to install the pad?

Was it reblued when it was rebarreled?

Any change or refinish (unless a true professional level restore type refinish of a badly worn gun, not a gunsmith blue job) reduces the value. its no doubt been rebarreled. Who made the barrel is of less importance than the fact that it was rebarreled. If its NOT been refinished, it could be swapped back to a factory barrel or a custom barrel replacement by a restoration level gunsmith would help it value somewhat. Your choice, what do you want it for, and do the changes bother you? Value is somewhat subjective, as many simply dont want an altered gun for any reason unless crazy cheap, others may appreciate the age, and be willing to pay a bit more than the former type guy to get a good shooter grade gun thats old and has some panache and class, even if altered.

Butt stock the same caveats as the barrel, but obviously a butt stock is easier to replace if you wanted to get it back to more original condition. If you ever remove the butt stock, DONT wiggle it to get it loose, than can crack the wood along the tang near the hammer.

If its a shooter grade gun to you, and the price isnt in original condition level range, Id say buy it and enjoy it. I would, and may keep an eye out over time for a barrel and butt stock, or just enjoy it as is. Hopefully Six or others can say what the current market value is for an altered shooter grade gun, but pictures will make all the difference in what the amount of changes and finish work that may have been done, and what is a fair marker value is, as opposed to what an individual places a personal value on it because of not being original.
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by crs »

Gunic could be a persons last name. I searched on Gunic and found some people, but non identified as gunsmith.
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Marvin S
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Marvin S »

44 magnum? I would pass on it.
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by AJMD429 »

Welcome to the forum, by the way...!

If you want a shooter, it may be a good one with a mixture of being 'classic' (old Winchester) and 'functional' (44 Mag is practical). If you want an 'authentic old Winchester' that one isn't the one to get, since 44 Magnum wasn't even around in 1910 - that means of course it was rebarreled, but ALSO that it is firing a cartridge it wasn't originally designed for, so there MIGHT be feeding issues, if the job wasn't done properly. Firing 50 rounds or so through it, of various bullet profiles, would clarify that issue pretty well, if the owner would allow that.

However, you may be able to find a less expensive 'shooter' chambered in a pistol-cartridge; look for a 'clone' 92 like the Rossi, or look at a Marlin 1894 (I think they've got the kinks out finally since the initial 'Remlin' issues). See what those prices for a new gun would run (one where there was no suspicion of rebarrelling or potential 'used gun' issues), and bargain with your potential seller accordingly.

Whatever you get, forum RULES require posting lots of pictures, and a Range Report.... :D

One of my 'never, ever, ever, ever sell' guns is my Marlin 1894-SS in 44 Magnum, by the way...
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Pete44ru
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Pete44ru »

87lc wrote: Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:04 am
I know of an 1892 that might be for sale.

I know the person and want to give an honest offer.

Its an 1892 Winchester, according to the serial number it was made in 1910, overall quality looks good.

On the barrel it just says 44 MAG GUNIC.


Welcome to the forum !

Original Model 1892/92's were chambered only in .25-20, .32-20, .38-40 & .44-40 - so it's been rebarreled, and has an aftermarket recoil pad, which gives it a shooter (maybe - 100 year old steel isn't the same as today's steel) value of $500-$700 ( retail ).

Does the seller know what GUNIC denotes ?

Did the seller successfully shoot .44 Magnum in it ?

Inquiring minds need to know, as you do.


.
Last edited by Pete44ru on Sun Oct 14, 2018 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Sixgun »

Marvin S wrote: Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:58 am 44 magnum? I would pass on it.
Yea....I agree...unless ....you can take it to a gunsmith and have its headspace checked. A semi common conversion "back in the day" was to convert 1892's to 357 or 44 mag. Too much pressure for continued use in old guns. If they were shot with moderate loads they are fine.

Not being a romantic and always calling a spade a spade, if the gun has been altered that much it's only worth what the action is worth and that's only if the gun is not loose from excessive headspace, or reblued.......maybe...maybe..........to ME.....$2-400. If the gun is nicely done, works great, then it's elevated to "shooter status" and someone other than me would pay $5-800 for it.

Then....before you pay a dime for it and AFTER the headspace is checked, you should have a chance to shoot it and work the action as most conversions never had the bugs works out.

See what Marvin S wrote? ....he also knows these things and he just cut it short...pass.....junk is junk and always will be junk.---6
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by AJMD429 »

Yeah, I would think of it as a potential 'hot 44 special' level shooter, that might be a wonderful hunting rifle that you wouldn't care if you got a scratch or dent on like you would a true collectible, that might cost you less than a modern manufacturer 44 Magnum.

Maybe a gun you wouldn't feel guilty putting modern sights on for hunting or home defense either....

This is a Rossi 92 but I would not hesitate to hunt deer with it, and it currently is THE home (and livestock) defense firearm we keep accessible at all times.

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Here's the write-up: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31062
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by JerryB »

Welcome to the forum, a real great place to spend some time. I agree that once you get the headspace checked it would make a great .44 spcl rifle. The .44spcl is about my favorite round for plinking and any serious work that might come along, two or four legged.
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Marvin S
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Marvin S »

The addition of the recoil pad tells me what they were shooting in it.
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Griff »

Image and Welcome to THE Forum.

What Marvin S & Sixgun said.
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by 65bee »

Unless the gun is a give-a-way price, I wouldn't touch it. An early '92 converted by an unknown person to .44 Mag.? The cut stock with recoil pad is another big minus. Reblued too? The gun, in my mind, is nothing more than a 'mongrel' cobbled-up thing, suitable for use as a fence post. It has no collector value and could actually be dangerous. I have seen several '92s in .44-40 that the owners tried to soup-up to .44 Mag. ballistics. They all had excess headspace and were basically ruined. Dick Riley, past NRA President and gunsmith, told me that he had many requests to convert '92 to .44 Mag., but after the first few all developed headspace, he refused to do any more. The action and steel of the guns just is not designed for the pressures the Mag. cartridge generates.
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Sixgun »

Back in the early to mid seventies I started making real on my boyhood passion of old Winchesters and Colts. At that time, the oldtimer dealers (well, the majority of them) were honest and less inclined to make 100% profit on every gun. Several of these guys took notice to my passion and sort of "took me under their wing". Also, at that time, there was little knowledge, other than books that were few and far between which led most budding collectors to graduate with a Masters Degree from the "School of Hard Knocks". I have a Double Doctorate. :D

Anyway, I was full of questions to any of these old timers who would answer my questions. I thanked them by patronizing their usually basement gunshop business....always in cash. They told me, "Young man, I'm going to give you a bit of advice as not every person selling these old guns are honest/knowledgeable, so here is my advice........................

"If in doubt, do without."

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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by OldWin »

Welcome to a great forum.

Lots of good advice above. Like ol' Sixgun, above, I had a mentor when I was a kid. Soon as I could drive, I'd borrow my dad's truck and drive out to his shop every night after supper and bug the old fella with a deluge of questions. We are still good friends.
In my opinion, you are better off with one good example of what you want than 10 that are messed up. Only you can know what pleases you. But when you know what it is you want, save your money until you can get it.
While you are saving, read,read,read and ask questions of people that know and who you trust. There are a lot of those folks here.
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lthardman
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by lthardman »

I have an original Winchester Model 1892 chambered in .38 WCF, or .38-40. Very fun to shoot, reasonably accurate at 75 to 100 yards. I just think it's cool as heck to shoot old iron like that. But not sure I would be comfortable with a rebarrelled 1892 in .44 Magnum, if it's roots are original production. They just weren't made for that.

But they write volumes on what I don't know.....
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by fordwannabe »

Sixgun has taken me under his wing, answered my questions, put up with my stuff, and even sold me a couple guns(with another inJanuary). He has never steered me wrong and even when I was sure I knew better He was right, many others on here with knowledge . If the guys on here say steer Clear...I wouldn’t touch it with a 10 foot Pole.
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twobit
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by twobit »

Hello,

Real Winchester rifles are only highly valuable if they are in their original configuration, no parts replaced or changed, and in high condition. ANY variation from that seriously decreases the possible value of the gun. If you are not a collector and just looking for a hunting tool then buy what you like. BUT the resale possibilities will be limited. The replaced barrel and I would be refinish of the gun k=make it at best a $300 shooter. I would pass in a hurry and look for something original... if that is what you want. And ALWAYS ask questions before the wallet makes and appearance. I am happy to answer any questions and advise. I own more than 40 Model 1892's and have cataloged over 12,000 individual guns in a research survey.

Best of luck
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87lc
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by 87lc »

I will see about buying it, i don't NEED it. But that has never stopped someone before, right. I currently have a 44 mag winchester, which I just shot two deer with a few weeks ago. But I am not sure if I will even be able to buy it. My neighbor died really unexpectedly. His wife is pretty distraught, I told her not to worry about his guns and tools, they can wait months if not years. Plus he has some good hunting buddies. I told her to let them have first chance to buy his guns. He also a winchester 94 in a 30 WCF which according to the serial number is from 1929s. That looks more unmolested, I would be interested in that one. I took some quick photos getting the serial numbers so nothing good. I will post what I have.
87lc
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by 87lc »

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87lc
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

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twobit
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by twobit »

Hello,

The barrel is definitely NOT original to the gun. In addition the gun has been refinished as suspected.The sling attachments and inlay in the stock is not original. It is only worth what you want to pay for it. The next person may totally disagree. It had no collector value and therefore that market will not be in the game.

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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Nate Kiowa Jones »

Every 92 I have had here for work that was older than WWI and rechambered to 44 mag had headspace issues. The small cal 92's converted to 357m generally were Ok but I do remember one that wasn't.
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Amysav96
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Amysav96 »

Did you ever find out anymore about "Gunic" ? I have one with the same marking on it. Mine was made to a .357
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by Grizz »

if I were looking for a hacked 92 "shooter" in 44 mag I would make the twist rate of the barrel one of the no-go items because slow twisters can't stabilize heavy for caliber bullets, and there is no reason to shoot 44mags if you can't get the TKO into the range of the original 45/70s.

the 92 is my all time favorite lever gun, and one that punches above it's weight is an absolute delight because of the light weight and ergonomics... which is why I don't have one . . .
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Re: Winchester 1892 Question

Post by 4t5 »

https://www.justanswer.com/firearms/54s ... kings.html
possible italian barrel, a rebarrel.
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