Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? - The Firearms Forum

Thisbuds4u · 08-03-2012, 10:06 AM

Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee

I am just looking for infomation on this gun. Is there anyone that can help me?

Serial # 181858

Any information would be helpfull.

Thanks in advance.

wonderwhippet · 08-03-2012, 02:15 PM

Very interesting, an 1892 Winchester which has been converted to .218 Bee by installing a Model 65 barrel. No more collector value, but if it actually functions, someone might like to buy a lever action shooter in this caliber, though it beats me why anyone would want one.

Bert H. · 08-03-2012, 04:04 PM

Hello,

What you have is a 1902 vintage Model 1892 that was originally assembled and sold as a 25-20 WCF. Winchester introduced the 218 Bee cartridge in 1937 for the Model 65 (which was a modernized Model 1892). The barrel on your rifle has the mail order proof mark stamp (P), which tells us that it was installed outside of the factory. If you pull the magazine tube and forend stock, you will find a 2-digit year number stamped on the bottom of the barrel right next to where it screws into the receiver frame. That will tell you when the barrel was made, and give you a close idea of when the barrel was replaced.

In its current condition and configuration, the value is minimal. Serious collectors will not be interested in it at all, and most of the "shooter" crowd will not want it due to the cost of the ammo. If you find someone who reloads for the 218 Bee, you might be able to squeeze $350 out of them for the rifle.

Bert H.

Hawg · 08-03-2012, 05:09 PM

I thought some of the 92's were chambered for 218 Bee in the late 30's.

Bert H. · 08-04-2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

I thought some of the 92's were chambered for 218 Bee in the late 30's.

There are rumored to be a few of them out there, but the barrels would be marked "MODEL 92" versus "MODEL 65" like it is on the rifle in question. I have not ever seen one in the flesh... yet. For the reason I previously mentioned, the subject rifle is not factory original.

Bert H.

Hawg · 08-04-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert H.

There are rumored to be a few of them out there, but the barrels would be marked "MODEL 92" versus "MODEL 65" like it is on the rifle in question. I have not ever seen one in the flesh... yet. For the reason I previously mentioned, the subject rifle is not factory original.

Bert H.

I wasn't doubting that. I was just thinking there were some 218 92's is all.

Thisbuds4u · 08-07-2012, 08:27 AM

Thanks to all for for your input. To bad the barrel is not factory original.

Bud

hound.243 · 09-18-2012, 10:17 AM

I'd be interested as a shooter. I grew up hunting with a weirdo side mounted scope Win94 in .32special circa 1900-20 and love anything lever.

The problem with buying a 100 year old shooter is........how does it shoot. For $100-150 it's perhaps worth it to fool around.

If it can group anything reasonable then it's certainly worth $350 since you'd have a full length magazine of off handed varmint awesomeness with a good caliber. Quiet but powerful, sitting between 22 hornet and the bigger 22s. No semi-autos allowed for hunting in Pennsylvania.

It will cost $50-70 for a box of shells to find out!! Another problem, but no doubt it's a cool gun.

08-03-2012, 10:06 AM	#1
Thisbuds4u Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee I am just looking for infomation on this gun. Is there anyone that can help me? Serial # 181858 Any information would be helpfull. Thanks in advance. Attached Images -->

08-03-2012, 02:15 PM	#2
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,599	Re: Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? Very interesting, an 1892 Winchester which has been converted to .218 Bee by installing a Model 65 barrel. No more collector value, but if it actually functions, someone might like to buy a lever action shooter in this caliber, though it beats me why anyone would want one.

08-03-2012, 04:04 PM	#3
Bert H. V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington State (Puget Sound Region) Posts: 419	Re: Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? Hello, What you have is a 1902 vintage Model 1892 that was originally assembled and sold as a 25-20 WCF. Winchester introduced the 218 Bee cartridge in 1937 for the Model 65 (which was a modernized Model 1892). The barrel on your rifle has the mail order proof mark stamp (P), which tells us that it was installed outside of the factory. If you pull the magazine tube and forend stock, you will find a 2-digit year number stamped on the bottom of the barrel right next to where it screws into the receiver frame. That will tell you when the barrel was made, and give you a close idea of when the barrel was replaced. In its current condition and configuration, the value is minimal. Serious collectors will not be interested in it at all, and most of the "shooter" crowd will not want it due to the cost of the ammo. If you find someone who reloads for the 218 Bee, you might be able to squeeze $350 out of them for the rifle. Bert H. __________________ Real Men own and shoot a Winchester SINGLE-SHOT!

08-03-2012, 05:09 PM	#4
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,588	Re: Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? I thought some of the 92's were chambered for 218 Bee in the late 30's.

08-07-2012, 08:27 AM	#7
Thisbuds4u Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	Re: Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? Thanks to all for for your input. To bad the barrel is not factory original. Bud

09-18-2012, 10:17 AM	#8
hound.243 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1	Re: Winchester 1892 - 218 Bee - Value? I'd be interested as a shooter. I grew up hunting with a weirdo side mounted scope Win94 in .32special circa 1900-20 and love anything lever. The problem with buying a 100 year old shooter is........how does it shoot. For $100-150 it's perhaps worth it to fool around. If it can group anything reasonable then it's certainly worth $350 since you'd have a full length magazine of off handed varmint awesomeness with a good caliber. Quiet but powerful, sitting between 22 hornet and the bigger 22s. No semi-autos allowed for hunting in Pennsylvania. It will cost $50-70 for a box of shells to find out!! Another problem, but no doubt it's a cool gun.