Hello - we have a 1892 Winchester in the family with serial number 54409E. Anyone have a place I can go look for info? Wondering if it can shoot current loads, or so old it may be dangerous. It was my Great Grandfathers - has seen field time and a lot of game including woodchucks, and even deer.

Thanks!

Are you sure it’s an E?

Win. model 1892 ser. # 54409 no E was made in 1894

Thx!

1896

What caliber is it?

32-20. It's definitely a used rifle. Wish it could talk :-)

If there is a character that looks like an E, it is probably a 6th digit and the gun was made about 15 years later. If the receiver and barrel have proof marks, it's probably made later. If the caliber mark is not on the top of the barrel, probably made later.

Pics. would help identify what you actually have!

But if the "E" is something else, like 8, or whatever,(has to be a #), then, a six digit serial #, in the 544,090, makes it, 1914, mfg.

544,090 would have been serialized in 1910.

You are Correct Pocono! Thanks! My Bad. So with that in mind, pics. would really help, even showing the Caliber designation, as the script changed on many models during production.

Thx! I’ll get to the gun and take pics.

Thanks again - serial is 544096. My Father just shot me a pic. So 1910 - 1914. It's worn so not a safe queen.

Appreciate all the help!

Pics attached.

Wow, 544,096 was made that early! Curiosity got the best of me, so the end of March I sent in a check and 336,xxx serial number for my octagon 1892 .25-20 to see what the Cody Winchester Records Office can tell me about mine. It was step-dad's father's rifle with a shorter than normal looking barrel that you guys have told me was cut. I'll let you know what they find.

You are Correct Pocono! Thanks! My Bad. So with that in mind, pics. would really help, even showing the Caliber designation, as the script changed on many models during production.

Like Pocono said "Mfg. 1910" ! Yeah a letter from the Cody Museum, will verify, the Originality of the Firearm, based on the serial number. It may be worn, but if it's all original and not messed with, it has some Value to it, and therefore you might want to leave it in it's original condition, enjoying it as how you choose, weather you shoot it, display, or whatever! Being that it was mfg. after 1898, it is considered a modern Firearm, and not an Antique! Your gun should be safe to use modern smokeless ammo, as the change from Black powder, started in 1894, and evolved through the turn of the Century. Someone competent, should check out the firearm for safety sake, and made sure it's in good working order, and that there are no obstructions in the barrel, and is working properly! You never know when the last time it was fired, and sometimes facts get lost over the yrs. and you never know if it was put aside having an issue, or problems! It's a Very Nice Family Heirloom! Congrats!

It's coming home next time I see Dad. We shot it about 10 years ago when we went to a local range. It was with ammo that he found and all worked well. Great Gandpop would be excited to see it still in the family! But wonder why we aren't out shooting groundhogs off the back porch any more.

Great to hear! Enjoy!

I got my letter today from the Cody Firearms Museum 44 days after I sent the check. Anyway, for those of you that are interested in records of a Model 1892 .25-20 Serial #339610, it tells me that that serial number was applied May 9th, 1906. It was received in a warehouse June 21, 1906 and shipped June 23, 1906.

I am a little disappointed that the barrel type only said "Octagon" with no mention of the length. The sights look original to me and while it looks about the same length that I see on "Gunsmoke" proportional to the length of the magazine tube, some of you told me that it was cut back. Does one measure the barrel length from the end of the receiver, or is the threaded length into the receiver figured in?

The barrel length measurement includes the part of the barrel threaded into the receiver.
If the factory letter does not mention barrel length on a Sporting Rifle, by default it is a standard length 24” M92 barrel. The only time barrel length was entered in the factory ledgers is when it was special order, non standard length.
The muzzle on a Sporting Rifle should be in the white with a slight chamfer around the bore entrance.
Another method used to determine is a barrel has been shortened is to measure the distance from the middle of the front sight dovetail to the muzzle face. Offhand, not sure what this measurement is.

I'm glad that you got your letter from Cody! The reason that it states octagon barrel with no length, is because its a standard 24 inch long Barrel, and there was no need to indicate the length unless it was something special, whether it be longer or shorter! When measuring the Barrel, go from the end of the threads, in the receiver to the end of the muzzle! Should measure 24 inches. I could be wrong, but as memory serves me, from the end of the Barrel to the center of the front sight dovetail, it should measure 15/16 of an inch!

Thanks for the further explanation. The rifle is up north and I'll bring it back next time I'm up there to do some measuring.