44 caliber lever action Winchester rifle

[Dylan]

I have a 44 caliber lever action Winchester rifle inherited from my great grandfather. The serial No. is 178726, rifle length is about 42 inches, barrel length is about 24 inches. 44 W.C.F. is printed on top of the barrel as is "manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A." There is a pivoting sight at the end of the hammer.

I would like to learn how to maintain, i.e. clean, oil, take apart, etc. this rifle. Can someone direct me to a detailed manual that will give me this type of information?

Thank you.

 

[Jim K]

Look on the top tang (behind the hammer) and see if there is a model number. It should be Model 1873 or Model 1892. That information will help in answering.

I will say that disassembling the Model 1873 should be limited to removing the side plates for cleaning. Disassembling the Model 1892 is simply not a good idea. Hosing it out with a de-gunker and then lightly oiling the mechanism is about all that should be done.

Model 1873's in anything like decent shape are collectors items and the least done to them the better. The Model 1892 is fast becoming a collectible and the same applies, though the '92 is not yet as valuable as the '73.

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

His model designation is probably covered by the tang sight.

Look at
http://www.curtrich.com/gettingstarted1b.html
and see if you can spot the differences between '73 and '92. Look for the prominent sideplates of the '73 and the way its round firing pin extends out the back of the receiver over the hammer as you swing the lever. It also has a bronze cartridge elevator visible as a brass colored rectangle in the bottom of the receiver.

The '92 has a shorter receiver with no sideplates and you can see the locking bolts at both top and bottom, a rectangle set into each side of the bolt at the top and beside the lever at the bottom.

If a '73 No 178726 was made in 1885, if a '92 it is from 1900.


Jim K is right. A '92 is a complicated devil to take down and worse to reassemble. Mr Browning figured such things were best left to the skilled workers with proper tools at the factory; most of his guns are rather complex.

 

[BluesBear]

Easy to tell the difference

The 1873 has side plates.

The 1892 does not.

The 1892 is a very strong action. The 1873 is not.

 

[Brian Williams]

Also the cartridge that you gun uses is a 44-40 or as you stated a 44 Winchester CenterFire, do not use 44mags or specials in it.

 

[Dylan]

Thanks for the information you all have provided. I believe I have a model 1892 from the pics you've sent and the descriptions given. Can any of you direct me to a book which will give me proper instructions to oil and learn more about the rifle. I'm taking your advice and I won't take anything apart. I am interested, if any of you know, what the value of this rifle would be...the rifle is in excellent condition as it's been in my grandmother's attic for the last 40 yrs. Thanks again.

 

[BluesBear]

We'd need to know more.
Such as barrel length.
Full or half or 2/3 magazine.
Round, half round or octagon barrel.
Bore quality.
Finish quality.
Pistol grip or straight stock.
Stock wear.
Solid frame ot takedown.

My 2003 edition of the Standard Catalog of Firearms lists a Spoting Rifle in poor condition is worth about $450. Good=$700. V.G.=$2500

While a Carbine in fair condition is worth about $700. Good=$2000 V.G.=$4800


But if you consider that Winchester made over a million of the Model 1892, those prices seem to be a little inflated.
However if it's in good shape collectors and cowboy action shooters will lust for it.

Have you fired it yet? .44-40 is one of my all time favorite calibers.
I consider it to be the real cartridge that won the west.