218 Bee winchester l892
I am just wondering what I might here? I purchased at an auction a winchester 218 Bee which looks like this. I have done some home work on looking up the history including a call to the winchester museum in Cody, Wy. The rifle has a stright stock no pistol grip on the rear tang it reads 1892 winchester, the serial number is on the bottom of the reciever as is most winchesters reads 3498xx, the barrel is 22"s long with a full mag under it, there is a ramp front site no hood, round barrel, there is the cal 218 b stamped right on the top of the barrel next to reciever, there is no rear sight dove tailed in the barrel, not a single mark on the barrel that says anything about winchester or where it was made in other words none of the winchester data. It has a redfield rear peep sight mounted right at the locking lugs, the sight is of high quality. The fore stock has a hand and finger groove running the length of it. curved metal butte stock with metal strap going over the top. Gun shoots just unbelieveable with a 45 hp gr moly coated bullet with 8.9 grs of lil gun. The gun is in wonderful working condition. The man from Cody said it was made in 1906 and was wanting me to bring down to him to have a look see. Again just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this gun. Thanks. PS I don't think I lost on this deal I paid right at eight for it.[:)][:)]
Greg Koczur
Greg Koczur
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My book says that Winchester introduced the 218 Bee in 1938.
If the rifle was made in 1906, it means that it has been rebarreled. The question is who did it? Either Winchester or some unknown gunsmith?
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Ditto what Rufe-snow said. Sounds like a rebarrel job.......[8D] 0 -
Hello Greg...
Your Model 1892 was not originally manufactured as a 218 Bee. Winchester made VERY, VERY few original Model 92s in 218 Bee, as that cartridge was not introduced until the late 1930s (1938 I believe), and Winchester ceased production of the Model 1892/92 in 1942.
Who did you talk to at Cody? Waddy Colvert and John Hawke are the research specialists, and they are the only people at Cody qualified to tell you anything about your rifle. The original factory records are available up to serial numer 379,999 for the Model 1892, but you must be a member to get the information over the phone for free. If you are not member, they will not provide any information until you pony up $55.
Based on your description of the gun, precious little of it is still factory original. The barrel is definitely not Winchester factory work, nor is the forestock. The Redfield sight mounted on the receiver is also not factory original.
Finally, in my humble opinion, you did pay considerably more for it than it is worth (about 2X). Due to the extensive post factory modifications, it has absolutely no Winchester collector interest (and very little value). Its value now will be purely as a shooter, and being that it is a lever-action chambered in an obsolete varmit cartridge, the potential number of interested buyers is going to be very small.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Thank you all for the info. I believe it was Wally that I spoke with and he mention that I could buy the letter for that gun. I was hoping to get lucky, sometimes a blind pig does find an acorn. It does look good and shoots very good. You know what! if the kids fight over it some day I'll feel good, again thanks for all your guys info. Greg
Greg Koczur0 -
You have a rebarrelled '92 that started out as a 32-20. Someone updated it to the later and more effective 218 Bee varmint caliber.
It probably will outshoot a factory Model 65 in .218 Bee.
To revert back to the original 32-20 will require you to also replace the modified forend and fill in the peepsight mounting holes.
Enjoy the gun for the accurate, custom rifle it is.0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
You have a rebarrelled '92 that started out as a 32-20. Someone updated it to the later and more effective 218 Bee varmint caliber.
It probably will outshoot a factory Model 65 in .218 Bee.
To revert back to the original 32-20 will require you to also replace the modified forend and fill in the peepsight mounting holes.
Enjoy the gun for the accurate, custom rifle it is.
OK, I will bite... just how in the world can you say that it started out life as a 32-20[?] Unless you are clairvoyant, you have no way of knowing which of the four standard calibers it was. I you were basing your guess on that fact that the extractor and magzine were not swapped out when the non factory barrel was installed, both the 32-20 and 25-20 share the same extractor, magazine tube, and follower with the 218 Bee.
Bert (the confused one)0 -
No, Bertie not clairvoyance or guesswork, just greater knowledge and perhaps better logic.
1) The s/n predated the 218 Bee
2) The 92 was only made (at that time) in 32-20, 38-40 & 44-40
3) Both the 38-40 & 44-40 used a number of different major parts
from the 32-20. Not just a magazine tube, barrel and extractor. I'll let you research that.
4) The fitup in the frame mounting is different between the 32-20 and the0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
No, Bertie not clairvoyance or guesswork, just knowledge, experience and better logic.
1) The subject s/n predated the 218 Bee
2) The 92 was only made (at that time) in 32-20, 38-40 & 44-40
3) The 32-20 used a number of different major parts peculiar to it and the Bee not just a magazine tube, barrel and extractor.
4) The hole in the frame for the magazine tube is also smaller for the 32-20 and Bee than for the other calibers.
While it is conceivable to make such a conversion, It would never
be practical.0 -
Let me correct my statement. I was forgetting the 25-20.
Your '92 started out as either the 25-20 or 32-20.
The conversion to 218 Bee would have been easier from 25-20
as the cartridge guides wouldnt have to be changed.0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
No, Bertie not clairvoyance or guesswork, just greater knowledge and perhaps better logic.
1) The s/n predated the 218 Bee
2) The 92 was only made (at that time) in 32-20, 38-40 & 44-40
3) Both the 38-40 & 44-40 used a number of different major parts
from the 32-20. Not just a magazine tube, barrel and extractor. I'll let you research that.
4) The fitup in the frame mounting is different between the 32-20 and the
V35...
I see absolutely no need for you to be snippy about replying to my question[:(] My proper name is "Bert"... not "Bertie", and I would request that you refer to me as such.
I also see where you eventually discovered your error in that it could have been a 25-20 W.C.F. (which I politely pointed out in my first reply to you). My other point... which you apparently missed, is that on a highly modified rifle such as the one described by praire dog, you really have no way of positively saying what it might have started out life as. I do agree (and perfectly well knew) that it most likely started out as a 25-20 or possibly a 32-20.
Bert (the not so confused one)0
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