Need help with value of 1992 Winchester please

[bobby65]

I am looking to buy this gun from a neighbor but I have never bought a gun in this bad of shape.
Winchester 1892. Ser. # is under 18000
38wcf oct barrel. barrel has no groves inside
Lots of rust missing saddle ring. Action works good. I would fire it
The gun was left under a bed on the carpet that caused the rust.

[Rube Burrows]

Someone else can come along and help with the value but I don't think it ever had a saddle ring therefore would not be missing.

[fordwannabe]

As to the no rifling you will be amazed how much rifling magically appears after you soak the bore and run a chore boy wrapped patch through that barrel. As to value I would be comfortable in the 500 range as long as the mechanical seem ok. Also Rube is right no saddle ring. Good luck remember this these things are way more addictive than any drug. TOM

[fordwannabe]

Forgot to say as for the rust I Iuse light oil soaked rags and lay them on the gun overnight then very carefully use 0000 steelwool to remove lots of the rust.DO NOT GET HEAVYHANDE EVEN WITH OOOO.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Here are a couple things to look at..
Is the barrel 20 inches or less ?
Does the handguard measure 8 3/4 inches ?
Is there a curved buttplate ?
Caliber stamped on left side of barrel ? Not on top of barrel.
If all that is correct it may be a legitimate short rifle and worth double.
Mike in Peru

[ollogger]

I've paid between 2 & 500 bucks for Winchesters in that shape, rather they was a 92, 94, or 73
the above thoughts on cleaning them up works well!!


ollogger

[Pete44ru]

.

Welcome to the fire ! !

That Model 1892 looks like it would make a nice Winter project, since it'll be difficult to hurt it more than it's already been.

That the .38-40/.38WCF is a decent deer gun certainly makes it very attractive.


.

[bobby65]

Greetings
Here are a couple things to look at..
Is the barrel 20 inches or less ? It's 24 inch
Does the handguard measure 8 3/4 inches ?
Is there a curved buttplate ?
Caliber stamped on left side of barrel ? Not on top of barrel. It's on top
If all that is correct it may be a legitimate short rifle and worth double.
Mike in Peru

[bobby65]

He was asking $800 and I shower him the NRA ratings on guns he came down to $600 I think I will show $500 cash and see if he'll let it go.

Thanks for all the information

[M. M. Wright]

I never worry too much about bore condition except to leave myself enough room in the price to have it re-lined. Probably around $350 and it'll shoot just as good as new.
Sounds like you've got the right attitude and your bargaining pants on.

And Welcome!

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I have to disagree with most folks here. I'm thinking $800 up. I base my assessment on your pictures and a quick look over on Gunbroker.com. If you go there and do a search in the completed auction you will find several in about the same condition as this gun and some have brought as much as $1100.
There will be many listed but the only ones to look at are the ones that actually sold.

[Mike Armstrong]

Wright is RIGHT! That gun screams out for a reline and restoration. Another solution (which is probably what they would have done back in the day) is to rebore it to .44-40, unless the bore is so deeply pitted that a rebore wouldn't clean it up. Both processes cost about the same. Be very sure of the competence of the 'smith you choose to do the work.

Nice find; hope you can get it at $500, but $600 isn't over the top.

[Griff]

and Welcome to THE Forum. Yep, I agree with Nate, but surely would offer less and be willing to go up. Other'n the rust, the lines look crisp and sharp. IMO, it is certainly worthy of a full restoration, or a clean up and see if it's a shooter. Then decide on what you're willing to spend to improve its looks. Non-standard features are 1st in determining value, then condition takes over. Shorter than std. barrel, sights, etc. will certainly affect the value upward. Anything you do to it (reline, rebore or full restoration), after just cleaning it will generally drop the value, from what a like condition un-altered gun will bring. 20 years ago I paid $700 for a mdl 92 octagon bbl'd mdl 92 in 32WCF. It wasn't in much better shape, no original bluing, but no rust either. It was my barn varmint gun for many years, til someone wanted it much more than I did. Actually, the seller wanted it back to pass to his son, who'd shown in new interest in family heirlooms. I didn't make anything, except the privilege of having and using a good, solid well used gun for a while.

As an aside, if you do get it, I'd use bronze wool vs. steel wool on the rust removal...

[bobby65]

As to the no rifling you will be amazed how much rifling magically appears after you soak the bore and run a chore boy wrapped patch through that barrel. As to value I would be comfortable in the 500 range as long as the mechanical seem ok. Also Rube is right no saddle ring. Good luck remember this these things are way more addictive than any drug. TOM

I was amazed how much rifling did appear after cleaning it just a little

[bobby65]

Ok update time
Thanks for all the help I will be on here a lot more as I do have a few Winchesters.
Brought the gun to a local gun show and the most offered was $325. told the neighbor that and gave him the cards I got so he could call them and said if you want $450 I'll take it.
Bought the gun for $450 happy I am
Got out my dads old gun books ( good thing I saved them after he passed 10 years ago).
And apart she came took three days for the oil to soak in to get all the screws out and the magazine tube out, but every part is apart and cleaned and ready to go back together when the new set of screws get here.
I never thought a gun would work with that much dirt in it. The way the screws where so buggered up from trying to get them out buy others before me it may not have ever been taken down all the way like I did.
I have always wondered why the nice gunsmith screwdriver bit sets have so many flat heads but now I know that they are all different, I may not have gotten some screws out with out it.

The serial number is in the low 7000s not 17000 as I first thought

I will post some pictures after its back together.
Thanks again Bobby

[bobby65]

Greetings
Here are a couple things to look at..
Is the barrel 20 inches or less ? It's 24 inch
Does the handguard measure 8 3/4 inches ?
Is there a curved buttplate ? Yes it does
Caliber stamped on left side of barrel ? Not on top of barrel. It's on top
If all that is correct it may be a legitimate short rifle and worth double.
Mike in Peru