Lot 3023

Factory Exhibition Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1892 Rifle

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Factory Exhibition Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1892 Rifle

Estimate: $10,000 - $18,000

Starting Bid: $9,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable Documented Factory Exhibition Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1892 Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F. with Rare Documented "Redwood" Stock and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1897, this is a highly desirable example of a deluxe Winchester Model 1892 rifle which was used extensively as a factory exhibition piece and features an extremely scarce, documented "redwood" stock. The plethora of large trades fairs around the world during the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century presented one of the best opportunities for mass marketing and public exposure a company could hope for, with most firearms manufacturers in particular producing highly deluxe, eye-catching arms to promote their products. This particular rifle is a fantastic example of the just that, with its factory letter documenting multiple trips in and out of the warehouse as it toured around the country and likely the world, being put on display for millions of visitors. The included factory letter lists this rifle in .44 caliber with an octagon barrel, full nickel finish, plain trigger, and "Redwood stock, Fancy finish" when it was initially received at the warehouse on 12 March 1897 and shipped out on 15 March 1897 in order no. 5194 (actually listed at the very end of all the shipping dates). Between that initial shipment and its final shipment on 7 October 1914, there are plethora of return to warehouse and shipment dates, including returning to the warehouse on 7 December 1901 with the notation "Buffalo", indicating that it was returning from the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, which is where President William McKinley was assassinated. Two of the entries for the year 1914 note "Charge to Exhibition Showcase sample consignment account", further confirming this rifle's status as a factory exhibition piece. Though not noted in the letter, this rifle's finish was switched from nickel to blue during one of its returns to the factory, a common occurrence for factory exhibition pieces that were well-traveled and well-handled by the public. While the finish was changed by the factory, this rifle retains the extremely rare "redwood" stock that is listed in the letter. The rifle itself has Winchester factory oval proofs on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech, which would have been added during one of its returns to the factory c. 1905 or after. The top flat of the barrel also has the standard two-line address and caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang is marked with the model designation and patent marking, while the serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver. The left side of the lower tang has the assembly number "418" as well as "46", which is crossed out, with "418" repeated in the stock inlet along with another crossed out "46". The inside of the buttplate is unnumbered. The butt of the stock is numbered "3650/94", indicating that this particular stock may have initially been intended for a Model 1894 prior to being fitted to this rifle. It is fitted with a Marble Sheard beaded blade front sight, a desirable four-leaf Winchester "express" rear sight, and factory installed sling swivel eyes on the forearm cap and the bottom of the stock. It is mounted with an extremely rare and highly figured redwood forearm and straight grip stock, both with factory deluxe H-pattern checkering on the grip areas, and a crescent buttplate. No specific data is available for the Model 1892, but according to Oswalt and Hawk in "Armax Vol. V", out of the first 353,999 Winchester Model 1894s produced, there is only one single example listed with a "redwood" stock, indicating the relative rarity of this specific feature on Winchester lever actions. Adding to that, the Model 1892 was produced in smaller numbers and was less frequently ordered in deluxe or special order configurations than the '94, making this rifle extremely scarce and quite possibly one-of-a-kind. Already rare in their own right, a Winchester deluxe Model 1892 with a straight grip stock is even more seldom seen.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1892

BBL: 24 inch octagon

Stock: redwood

Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number71403

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine showing the typical factory refurbishment of known factory exhibition pieces, retaining 80% of the blue finish, 60% of the case colors, and 95% of the nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly grey patina, some patches of very light pitting, scattered light handling marks, and traces of some protective varnish. The extremely rare redwood forearm and stock are both very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches, most of the factory varnish, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is an extremely rare, documented, factory exhibition, redwood stocked Winchester deluxe Model 1892 rifle that is quite possibly one-of-a-kind!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000