serial #1006290, .218 Bee, 24 1/4” Model 92-marked rifle barrel with a bright excellent bore. An interesting rifle, it is known that there were very few Winchester Model 1892s made in .218 Bee. The barreled action does indeed appear to be all Winchester 92, while the wood appears to be from a model 65, as-does the lever and lower tang, the factory marking though is clearly for a Model 92 and is un-altered, both barrel and receiver Winchester proofed. The barrel retains perhaps 70-75% thinning original blue, wearing to pewter nearer the receiver and at the muzzle, with even fading overall, its underside is marked “218B” and “49”, with another marking about 2 inches ahead of this “727 5”. The receiver is primarily a plum brown and pewter patina with traces of original blue in the protected areas, it has four added holes on its left side, the takedown pin hole appears to have been enlarged at that time as well, doubtless to accommodate some manner of scope mount. The walnut pistolgrip buttstock rates very good with the expected minor dings and handling marks that come from the years and has had three silver diamonds inletted into it, one each left and right of the butt and another in the bottom of the pistolgrip, the checkered steel widows peak buttplate in place and a small chip at the right upper edge near receiver. The forend shows a bit more wear and flaking of varnish and rates near very good, also with inlaid silver rhomboid-like parallelograms left and right, and a very small crack at left upper edge at the receiver. The rifle is sighted with a Marbles brass bead front sight, the rear slot is blanked and a Lyman 98A riding bolt peep has been added to the bolt; the work is certainly factory-quality. The curved lower tang is stamped “209” and “624” while the tang inletting is stamped “290”. While we have located other Winchester Model 1892s in .218 Bee, none quite conform to this configuration. A very interesting Model 1892, further research may prove interesting or even lucrative, or perhaps warrant a full restoration. (39571-13) {MODERN} (800/1200)
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