As many of you know, I write "classic firearms" articles for Dillon's Blue Press magazine/catalog, where I am a contributing editor. I've just recently drafted a piece on the Winchester Model 1892, and I thought I'd post it here for any comments, particularly from those who are very knowledgeable on the arm. All comments and/or criticisms are most welcome. Thanks!
John
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The Model 1892 Winchester lever action rifle, designed by John Browning, is widely regarded as perhaps the smoothest, handiest and most attractive lever action rifle ever produced. Today the originals are collector classics and modern versions of it are still being made all over the world. Conceived as a light rifle for lower-powered cartridges, with modern metallurgy it’s strong enough to handle more potent rounds such as the .44 Remington magnum and the .454 Casull. Cowboy action shooters love it for its quick handling and reliability. Hunters find it just the ticket for shooting medium game in the brush. It’s the 19th Century version of an “assault rifle,” as many shots can be triggered off rapidly. As actor Chuck Connors showed in the TV western series “The Rifleman,” a modified version could be made to fire almost as fast as a machine gun. Famed gun writer Jeff Cooper once touted it as an almost ideal home defense weapon.
How the gun came to be is an interesting story. Let me take you back in time to the year 1892, and let’s eavesdrop on an (admittedly apocryphal) conversation between famed firearms inventor John Browning and his visiting guest T.G. Bennett, Oliver Winchester’s son-in-law. Bennett, who was then President and General Manager of Winchester Repeating Arms, had already established an alliance with Browning in the design and manufacture of a number of firearms. He had come to Ogden, Utah Territory, to discuss a need and to seal a deal with Browning.
“John,” said Bennett, “Winchester, as always, has been very pleased with the excellent work you’ve done for us over the past years. Your big Model 1886 lever action rifle in particular has been a terrific success. It’s strong and smooth, and we’ve been able to chamber it for some pretty powerful cartridges like the .45-70 Government. But today I want to talk to you about designing another rifle for us. As you know, we’ve been producing our Model 1873 for 19 years. It was designed to handle lower-powered cartridges like the .44-40 W.C.F. and 38-40 W.C.F. which have also been usable in handguns. Of course we’ve done well with it, but we’ve decided we’d like to replace it with something smaller, lighter, handier, and stronger. It would be an ideal new companion rifle for revolver shooters who like to use the same cartridges in both their rifles and handguns.”
“Tom,” said Browning, I’ve been thinking about something along those lines already. A rifle like that would really be something. It would be extremely versatile and I bet you could have used something that handy during your service in the Civil War.”
“You are exactly right, John. I would have loved to have had such a rifle back then. We’re in a more modern age now, and with our increased manufacturing capability and better steels, we’re ready to make a fine replacement for the Model 1873. We just need your design skills to get this project rolling.”
“What do you propose?” Browning replied. “We’ve been thinking,” said Bennett, “that something like a scaled-down Model 1886 might be just the ticket. It’s the smoothest rifle we’ve ever made, and a smaller version of it would be, in our opinion, ideal.” “Agreed,” Browning replied. “Tell me, what would you propose for my compensation for this new design?” Bennett stroked his chin and said “We’re anxious to get started on this project, John. In addition to our usual agreement, we are prepared to offer you a bonus of ten thousand dollars if you can deliver a working prototype in ninety days. If you can do it in sixty days, I’ll see to it that you get fifteen thousand. How does that sound to you?” Browning thought it over for a moment. “Tom, I’ll tell you what. If I can deliver it in one month or less, you will owe me a bonus of twenty thousand dollars. If I can’t, it will be free. Do you want to take me up on my bet?”
Now twenty thousand dollars was a lot of money in those days, but Bennett was anxious to get going and the deal was struck. Browning, working diligently and making good on his bet, did deliver a functioning prototype in under a month. For both Browning and Winchester, the Model 1892 proved to be an incredible success.
Essentially, the rifle did away with the knee-action locking system of the Model 1873 and replaced that with two vertically-moving locking columns that dovetailed into the rear of the breechblock and the receiver. This made for a very strong and smooth action that could be housed in a more compact receiver.
The rifle was comfortable to handle and carried well in the hand or in a saddle scabbard. 1,004,675 of them were produced from 1892 to 1932, and they continued to be sold through 1941. The Model 1892 was offered in several configurations, among them rifles, takedowns, carbines, shorter “trapper” carbines and long-barreled “muskets.” The calibers used in the Model 92 and its similar siblings, the Models 53 and 65, were many. These included .44-40, 38-40, .32-20, .25-20, and .218 Bee. Custom guns could be had on order from the factory, with octagonal barrels, half round and half octagonal barrels, special barrel lengths, different sights, fancy finish and wood, special buttplate styles, engraving, and even gold inlays being available. Collectors salivate today over some of the rare ones that have survived in good condition. After production of the ’92 ceased, it was never revived at the factory in New Haven, Connecticut.
A Spanish copy of the ’92 was made by Garate, Anitua y Cia., based in Eibar, from 1915 to 1938. Known as El Tigre, it was widely distributed and popular in South America.
Hollywood latched right on to the Model ’92. John Wayne, in the classic 1939 western movie “Stagecoach” wielded a special short-barreled ’92 with a large-loop lever, twirling it expertly with one hand to actuate it. I’ve examined the similar gun he used in "True Grit" personally, and it’s a real smooth-operating honey. The ’92 was a natural in calibers .44-40 and .38-40 for firing the popular 5-in-1 blanks used in the movies for a number of guns. It was rare not to see the readily available ’92 in movies and TV westerns.
After World War II, consumer demand for the slick little ’92 didn’t cease, and a number of other manufacturers jumped in to fill the void by making virtual carbon copies of Browning’s superb design. These are often found, besides the original chamberings, in calibers such as .45 Colt, .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and even the stomping .454 Casull. Rossi makes excellent ‘92s in Brazil, often found stamped "Puma." Their more recent rifles deviate from the original design with a rotating safety on top of the rear of the breechblock. I have an early Rossi carbine (without the safety thingy) in .357 magnum chambering, and I find it very pleasant to shoot with either .357s or .38 specials. It’s one of my personal favorites, and I think it’s an ideal companion piece for any .357 or .38 special handgun. In a rifle, the .357 magnum approaches the power level of the popular .30-30 cartridge.
Chiappa Firearms has made ‘92s in Italy. Browning Arms Company markets high-quality ‘92s made in Japan. A Browning ’92 carbine made in 1983 is illustrated for this article. It’s in .44 magnum caliber, and of course it will also take the easier-on-the-shoulder .44 specials. It’s quite true to the original design, except that it has the trademark gold-plated trigger of many Browning firearms. John Browning designed the gun with only a half-cock safety, and so that’s the way this one was produced. Winchester has resurrected the Model 1892 in recent years. These new ‘92s are made in Japan in several configurations: “sporting rifle,” “carbine,” “trapper’s carbine,” and “musket.” These recent Winchesters have lawyer-friendly sliding safeties on the upper tang behind the hammer. Collectors ardently pursue any Winchester ’92 in good working condition, and the high prices asked for them reflect this demand. For those anxious to know more about their original ’92s, the factory records are available at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming, from serial number 1 through 379999.
Luckily for anyone wanting a Model ’92 in a more modern caliber, affordable quality reproductions of the original Winchesters are available almost everywhere. John Browning’s masterpiece design has lived on for 120 years, and shows no sign of becoming obsolete. It will probably still be around well into the 22nd Century!
(c) 2012 JLM
John
------------------------------------------------------
The Model 1892 Winchester lever action rifle, designed by John Browning, is widely regarded as perhaps the smoothest, handiest and most attractive lever action rifle ever produced. Today the originals are collector classics and modern versions of it are still being made all over the world. Conceived as a light rifle for lower-powered cartridges, with modern metallurgy it’s strong enough to handle more potent rounds such as the .44 Remington magnum and the .454 Casull. Cowboy action shooters love it for its quick handling and reliability. Hunters find it just the ticket for shooting medium game in the brush. It’s the 19th Century version of an “assault rifle,” as many shots can be triggered off rapidly. As actor Chuck Connors showed in the TV western series “The Rifleman,” a modified version could be made to fire almost as fast as a machine gun. Famed gun writer Jeff Cooper once touted it as an almost ideal home defense weapon.
How the gun came to be is an interesting story. Let me take you back in time to the year 1892, and let’s eavesdrop on an (admittedly apocryphal) conversation between famed firearms inventor John Browning and his visiting guest T.G. Bennett, Oliver Winchester’s son-in-law. Bennett, who was then President and General Manager of Winchester Repeating Arms, had already established an alliance with Browning in the design and manufacture of a number of firearms. He had come to Ogden, Utah Territory, to discuss a need and to seal a deal with Browning.
“John,” said Bennett, “Winchester, as always, has been very pleased with the excellent work you’ve done for us over the past years. Your big Model 1886 lever action rifle in particular has been a terrific success. It’s strong and smooth, and we’ve been able to chamber it for some pretty powerful cartridges like the .45-70 Government. But today I want to talk to you about designing another rifle for us. As you know, we’ve been producing our Model 1873 for 19 years. It was designed to handle lower-powered cartridges like the .44-40 W.C.F. and 38-40 W.C.F. which have also been usable in handguns. Of course we’ve done well with it, but we’ve decided we’d like to replace it with something smaller, lighter, handier, and stronger. It would be an ideal new companion rifle for revolver shooters who like to use the same cartridges in both their rifles and handguns.”
“Tom,” said Browning, I’ve been thinking about something along those lines already. A rifle like that would really be something. It would be extremely versatile and I bet you could have used something that handy during your service in the Civil War.”
“You are exactly right, John. I would have loved to have had such a rifle back then. We’re in a more modern age now, and with our increased manufacturing capability and better steels, we’re ready to make a fine replacement for the Model 1873. We just need your design skills to get this project rolling.”
“What do you propose?” Browning replied. “We’ve been thinking,” said Bennett, “that something like a scaled-down Model 1886 might be just the ticket. It’s the smoothest rifle we’ve ever made, and a smaller version of it would be, in our opinion, ideal.” “Agreed,” Browning replied. “Tell me, what would you propose for my compensation for this new design?” Bennett stroked his chin and said “We’re anxious to get started on this project, John. In addition to our usual agreement, we are prepared to offer you a bonus of ten thousand dollars if you can deliver a working prototype in ninety days. If you can do it in sixty days, I’ll see to it that you get fifteen thousand. How does that sound to you?” Browning thought it over for a moment. “Tom, I’ll tell you what. If I can deliver it in one month or less, you will owe me a bonus of twenty thousand dollars. If I can’t, it will be free. Do you want to take me up on my bet?”
Now twenty thousand dollars was a lot of money in those days, but Bennett was anxious to get going and the deal was struck. Browning, working diligently and making good on his bet, did deliver a functioning prototype in under a month. For both Browning and Winchester, the Model 1892 proved to be an incredible success.
Essentially, the rifle did away with the knee-action locking system of the Model 1873 and replaced that with two vertically-moving locking columns that dovetailed into the rear of the breechblock and the receiver. This made for a very strong and smooth action that could be housed in a more compact receiver.
The rifle was comfortable to handle and carried well in the hand or in a saddle scabbard. 1,004,675 of them were produced from 1892 to 1932, and they continued to be sold through 1941. The Model 1892 was offered in several configurations, among them rifles, takedowns, carbines, shorter “trapper” carbines and long-barreled “muskets.” The calibers used in the Model 92 and its similar siblings, the Models 53 and 65, were many. These included .44-40, 38-40, .32-20, .25-20, and .218 Bee. Custom guns could be had on order from the factory, with octagonal barrels, half round and half octagonal barrels, special barrel lengths, different sights, fancy finish and wood, special buttplate styles, engraving, and even gold inlays being available. Collectors salivate today over some of the rare ones that have survived in good condition. After production of the ’92 ceased, it was never revived at the factory in New Haven, Connecticut.
A Spanish copy of the ’92 was made by Garate, Anitua y Cia., based in Eibar, from 1915 to 1938. Known as El Tigre, it was widely distributed and popular in South America.
Hollywood latched right on to the Model ’92. John Wayne, in the classic 1939 western movie “Stagecoach” wielded a special short-barreled ’92 with a large-loop lever, twirling it expertly with one hand to actuate it. I’ve examined the similar gun he used in "True Grit" personally, and it’s a real smooth-operating honey. The ’92 was a natural in calibers .44-40 and .38-40 for firing the popular 5-in-1 blanks used in the movies for a number of guns. It was rare not to see the readily available ’92 in movies and TV westerns.
After World War II, consumer demand for the slick little ’92 didn’t cease, and a number of other manufacturers jumped in to fill the void by making virtual carbon copies of Browning’s superb design. These are often found, besides the original chamberings, in calibers such as .45 Colt, .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and even the stomping .454 Casull. Rossi makes excellent ‘92s in Brazil, often found stamped "Puma." Their more recent rifles deviate from the original design with a rotating safety on top of the rear of the breechblock. I have an early Rossi carbine (without the safety thingy) in .357 magnum chambering, and I find it very pleasant to shoot with either .357s or .38 specials. It’s one of my personal favorites, and I think it’s an ideal companion piece for any .357 or .38 special handgun. In a rifle, the .357 magnum approaches the power level of the popular .30-30 cartridge.
Chiappa Firearms has made ‘92s in Italy. Browning Arms Company markets high-quality ‘92s made in Japan. A Browning ’92 carbine made in 1983 is illustrated for this article. It’s in .44 magnum caliber, and of course it will also take the easier-on-the-shoulder .44 specials. It’s quite true to the original design, except that it has the trademark gold-plated trigger of many Browning firearms. John Browning designed the gun with only a half-cock safety, and so that’s the way this one was produced. Winchester has resurrected the Model 1892 in recent years. These new ‘92s are made in Japan in several configurations: “sporting rifle,” “carbine,” “trapper’s carbine,” and “musket.” These recent Winchesters have lawyer-friendly sliding safeties on the upper tang behind the hammer. Collectors ardently pursue any Winchester ’92 in good working condition, and the high prices asked for them reflect this demand. For those anxious to know more about their original ’92s, the factory records are available at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming, from serial number 1 through 379999.
Luckily for anyone wanting a Model ’92 in a more modern caliber, affordable quality reproductions of the original Winchesters are available almost everywhere. John Browning’s masterpiece design has lived on for 120 years, and shows no sign of becoming obsolete. It will probably still be around well into the 22nd Century!
(c) 2012 JLM
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