W2282 EXTREMELY EARLY WINCHESTER MODEL 1892 CARBINE HAS SERIAL NUMBER 4 STAMPED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME; The accompanying factory letter states that serial number 4 was originally a rifle with an octagon barrel in .44 caliber and plain trigger when it was received in the warehouse on May 3, 1892, and shipped on May 19 along with 15 other rifles with the same specifications to the same order number. It was later returned to the Winchester factory on August 23, 1892, and the octagon barrel was changed to a round barrel (barrel length not provided). Of the 15 guns initially shipped on May 19, 1892, 6 were returned for round barrels. The barrel has pinned and folding ladder sight and is marked with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and “44 W.C.F.” at the breech. A saddle ring is mounted on the left side. The upper tang has “Model 1892/Winchester/PAT. Oct 14, 1884”. The buttstock has a carbine buttplate. Condition is very good as factory converted to carbine configuration. Most original finish on the barrel and magazine tube starting to turn to a brown patina with the receiver having a mottled gray starting to brown patina. The wood has only light handling marks, is very good with most original finish. Mechanically excellent. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a single digit, most likely first day production Winchester Model 1892!
ANTIQUE $ 22,500.
