This Winchester Model 1892 Takedown Fancy Sporting Rifle was manufactured in 1906. The rifle is accompanied by a copy of a letter from the Winchester Sales Department to Mr. Paul F. Sweitzer dated September 1, 1934 that provides details of Model 1892 Serial No. 463598. The letter states that Model 1892 rifle, No. 463598, was shipped from Winchester to F. D. McQueen of Newhouse, Utah, on January 6, 1909 for the account of Browning Brothers Ogden, Utah. The letter describes the rifle as: "25-20 half octagon, nickel steel barrel, fancy checkered stock and pistol grip, take-down, Lyman rear sight, King's Triple Bead Front Sight, with silver plated trimmings". The letter further states: "The gun was also engraved". This is almost certainly the earliest known Winchester factory letter. Additional documents contain a history of the rifle's ownership by Mr. Sweitzer and subsequent transfers. The special order Model 1892 Takedown Rifle has a .25-20 half round/half octagon barrel with a unique King's rotating front sight with three different colored beads and M.S.A. Co. rear sight with folding rear leaf. A Lyman folding combination rear sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The receiver is factory engraved with Winchester No. 10 engraving as illustrated in the 1897 edition of "WINCHESTER HIGHLY FINISHED ARMS". The engraving consists of "ornamental scrolls and border work" with a game scene on the left side of the receiver. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, fancy grain walnut with 'Style H" checkering and a piano finish. The pistol grip has a black hard rubber cap embossed "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS". The barrel, magazine, bolt and loading gate are blued. The forearm cap, receiver and crescent buttplate are silver-plated, and the hammer and lever are color casehardened. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO./NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED OCTOBER 14. 1884." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. "NICKEL STEEL 25-20 W.C.F." is roll stamped on the left side of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The serial number is roll stamped across the bottom of the receiver. This rifle is one of the most elaborate, special order Model 1892 rifles extant and is complete with what is almost certainly the earliest Winchester factory letter.

Excellent. The rifle is all original. The barrel and magazine have 97% of the original blue finish; the only wear is some very minor scratches near the takedown lever. The case colors on the hammer and lever are slightly faded and 75% plus remain. The untouched original silver plated finish is 99% complete on the forearm cap, takedown collar, receiver and crescent buttplate, and is tarnished. The engraving on the receiver is crisp. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are in excellent condition; the piano finish shows minimal wear, the checkering is sharp, and there are only a few, very minor, handling and storage marks. The rifle appears to be in excellent mechanical condition. This is an excellent example of a fully documented special order, factory engraved Winchester Model 1892 takedown rifle with very rare silver-plated finish. This is a one-of-a-kind rifle that would be the standout piece in the most advanced Winchester collection. Provenance: The Gateway Collection.