Offered here is a rarity in antique Winchester lever action collecting: a Model 1892 rifle with factory documented deluxe maple pistol grip stock that was manufactured in 1894 and shipped to an exposition held in New York in 1897. The included factory letter, which is accompanied by a photocopy of the original factory ledger, confirms the octagon barrel in .44 caliber, plain trigger, birdseye maple stock and checkered pistol grip stock. It was received in the warehouse on October 1, 1896 and shipped the same day. It was later returned to the factory on May 25, 1897, and reshipped on the same day for the "New York Exp '97." The writer has concluded that "New York Exp ’97'" references the American Institute Fair, which was held annually in New York City from 1829 to 1897 and has been considered the first world’s fair in the U.S.. A period publication referred to the American Institute Fair as an "important gathering of the inventors and manufacturers of America." In the late nineteenth century, Winchester certainly met the criteria to be among America’s top innovators displaying to the public "the finest products of agriculture and manufacturing." For 40 days in 1897, the American Institute Fair was held at Madison Square Garden. The rifle is fitted with dovetailed blade front, elevation adjustable rear and tang peep sights. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "44 W.C.F." at the breech. The lower tang and buttstock have matching assembly numbers: The left side of the lower tang is marked "3369 B1M," and the buttstock under the buttplate is marked "3369/92." The beautiful birdseye maple pistol grip stock features checkering on the grip area and forearm, a hard rubber factory grip cap and crescent buttplate. Birdseye maple is a rarely seen Winchester special order stock material because it is heavier, more expensive and harder to work with due to chipping. An included 2003 dated letter of provenance from Ron Peterson, owner of Peterson Guns, Inc., explains that this rifle was formerly from a collection belonging to Brigadier General Frank Merrill. General Merrill was the commander of the famed WWII special forces unit that bared his name, Merrill's Marauders, officially known as the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), which ran deep penetration missions behind Japanese lines. Two other included letters provide the history of prior ownership. Provenance: Brigadier General Frank Merrill, Herb "Pappy" Sherwood, Ron Peterson, Larry Jones, Norm Vegely and Clarence Parks collections.

Very fine. The rifle retains 80% original blue finish showing thinning to a brown on the balance. There are a couple patches of moderate pitting on the barrel and magazine at the muzzle. The hammer, lever and buttplate retain 50% original case colors. The wood also very fine showing some scattered minor pressure dents and scratches, and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Special order maple stocked Winchester rifles are rare for any model; this Model 1892 is a one-of-a-kind factory documented Winchester public display show piece with a long history of being owned by prominent collectors that would be a worthy addition to the most advanced collection of Winchester firearms. In addition, this extraordinary Winchester Model 1892 is antique and exempt from federal regulation.