Old Winchester with short barrel.

The other day an acquaintance showed me an old Winchester model ’92 that had been in his family for many years. It was in .32-20 and had a barrel that was only about 14 to 15 inches long.

He said that as far as he knew it was not cut down but came from the factory that way. The owner was well into his sixties and had never shot it or remembered it being shot.

Did Winchester make rifles with barrels that short?

Can this individual get in any legal trouble?

This is an antique that is over 100 years old yet the barrel is shorter than 16 inches.

I have seen a couple of M-92's with short barrels at gunshows. Back in the day they were called trappers. as long as it is factory he should be ok.

Winchester and Marlin did indeed both make short-barreled lever guns way back when.

Those that were factory-made are known by serial number, and are specifically exempt from NFA regulations. But it HAS to have a serial number in the right range listed as exempt.

And they're very valuable.

I'll do a little searching and post some more info...

Here's one valued at $2,500-$4,000.

http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/51/lid/1535

A few more shown here: http://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1894/model_94.shtml

A thread on the Marlin models, apparently offered as catalog items up until 1917:

http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11788

A Marlin in .30-30 up for auction with exception letter: http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/rare-marlin-model-1893-trapper-model-carbine-with-1-c-7593ab2331

Great article on the Winchesters: http://www.rarewinchesters.com/articles/art_special_short.shtml

According to this: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/firearms-technology.html You can apply to the Firearms Tech Branch to have an original Winchester Trapper determined to be exempt.

Here's the big list... The ATF's C&R listing. Page 33 starts the section on C&Rs determined to be removed from coverage under the NFA: http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-11/atf-p-5300-11.pdf

I've taken the time ('cause I'm such a nice guy) to pick out the models in .32-20 which are already exempted:

Winchester rifle, Model 1873, .32 caliber, S/N 637480, having a 14-inch barrel.

Winchester Model 1873 carbine, cal. .32-20 WCF, with 14 inch barrel, S/N 695081 B.

Winchester Model 1873 carbine, caliber .32 WCF, with a 15-inch barrel, S/N 382028.

Winchester Model 1892, caliber .30 WCF, S/N 211284, having a 14-inch barrel.

Winchester Model 1892 or 92 carbine, cal. .32 WCF with 14-inch barrel, S/Ns 353676, 605816, 800188, 807261, 840518, 874184, 928023, 939107.

Winchester Model 1892 or 92 carbine, cal. .32 WCF with 15-inch barrel, S/Ns *475522, 786820.

Winchester Model 1892 or 92 carbine, cal. .32-20 WCF with a 14-inch barrel, S/Ns 615287, 655804, 772706, 807261, 808290, 826022, 837181, 850460, 850556, 859920, 874501, 875174, 960471, 983151.

Winchester, Model 1892, caliber .32 WCF, S/N 841245, with 14-inch octagonal barrel.

Winchester Model 1892 or 92 carbine, cal. .32-20 WCF with a 15-inch barrel, S/Ns 203439, 472150, 475520, 490150, 554549, *690038, 800472, 807957.

Winchester, 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine, .32 WCF cal. with 15″ barrel, S/Ns 575423 and 838742.

Winchester Model 1873 carbine, cal. .32-20 WCF, with 15-inch barrel, S/N 382027.

Winchester Model 1892 carbine, cal. .32-20 WCF, with 14-inch barrel, S/N 50480.

Note, I was wrong before. It isn't by serial number range, but by exact serial number.

Dang Sam, you've been busy!!

:)

I really like the idea. Probably one of the more useful/fun pistol caliber SBR ideas ever.

Dang Sam, you've been busy!!

Yeah. Sam's Google-Fu is strong today.

Sam, you're a nice guy. Does your wife know about the Roomba?

Gig 'em,

backbencher

Roomba? I don't get it. But then, my folks were Aggies.