Nickel plated 92 Winchester

[TomP]

I have a model 92 Winchester rifle in 32-20 that was made in 1900.  The receiver, lever, buttplate, and forend cap are bright and shiney.  The barrel and the magazine tube are in the white and don't seem to be plated.  How can I tell if this rifle's receiver, etc., is nickel plated?  The inside of the receiver shows no evidence of blue.

[LONGTOM]

With out seeing the gun myself it is hard to say just what you really have.
I can see in the pics that it is an oct barrel and that it is a take down action.
Is the barrel stamped with the usual Winchester markings or more or less void of any name & address and pat. #s?
It is a rifle version which likely has at least a 24" barrel.
Have you checked the serial # to see for sure when it was made?
From the condition it shows in the pics it looks pretty nice to be that old.
May have been refinished at some point.
This could be a rework of an old gun or a reproduction.
Not saying it is, just it looks way to good to be original.
Most of the time a gun that old that has been nickeled from the factory or shortly after doesn't have that much shine.
The nickle is usually more of a satin finish, slightly dull.
Very seldom were parts ever left in the white.
My guess is that it has been restored or reworked.
 
 
LONGTOM

[TomP]

Thanks for the reply, Longtom.
It is octagonal, 24", takedown, and the serial number confirms it was made in 1900.  I know the stock has been stripped, but not sanded, and recoated.  When I got the rifle a few years ago, the original takedown style mag tube was cut off just inside of the forend and a section of non-takedown magazine tube was spliced on which extended to the muzzle.  I had a new reproduction takedown mag tube made, left in the white, which is shown in the pictures.
I'll take some closeups of the receiver and barrel, especially inscriptions, etc., and post them soon.

[TomP]

I took a few more pics.  While I had the rifle under a lamp I noticed small dots of rust on the receiver.  Nickel shouldn't develop rust like that, right?  The barrel looks like it was blued at one time and just faded away and was left bare.  I now suspect this rifle was all blue at one time and just buffed to make it look pretty.
I must say, the bore is excellent and I can get 2" groups at 100 yards off sandbags with it.  It would be my favorite groundhog gun if it wasn't so bright in the sunshine.

[LONGTOM]

Those are some good close up pics.
After looking at them I think you are right.
The frame does appear to have been buffed and does show some rust spots, so does the lever.
I don't think it is nickle.
It most likely was blue when it left the factory.
Nickle itself doesn't rust but if it is thin enough the steel under it can and show through.
Still, it is a very nice rifle and a take down to boot!!
Get some gun oil and extra fine steel wool and lightly clean those rust spots and then keep it oiled good and they shouldn't be a problem.
Even with the replacement parts, refinished wood and no bluing it would still be a nice looking gun to own.
2" groups at 100 on open sights is outstanding for a 100  year old gun.
 
 
LONGTOM

[TomP]

Thanks Longtom.  My dad bought this rifle for my mom about 35 years ago out near Rapid City S. D.  It spent all its time in a closet until just before my mom passed away a few years ago.  After I got it I replaced the mag tube and thought about having it blued.  That's what made me wonder if the finish might be German Silver (nickel).
Time to get to work with some 0000 steel wool and gun oil.

[SHOOTALL]

I have seen Winchesters that were that old that had a silver look . They are really beautiful IMHO as most show honest wear. I know the bbls were nickle steel on some winchester guns not sure about your gun or the recivers on any of them but I wonder if it would cause a finish like you have if blued and had over 100 years to wear/polish thru. use ?

[TomP]

I suppose if I REALLY wanted to know the original finish, I could have the rifle "lettered" by Winchester, if they still do that sort of thing.

[LONGTOM]

The BUFFALO BILL MUSEUM in CODY WYOMING does it but it cost $100.00 to have them research a gun and send you an official factory letter.
I have them on several of my 1873 Win rifles.
It can increase the price considerably if the gun matches what they have on file.
On a couple of mine it more than doubled the value of them and in one case it provided proof that JOHN M. BROWNING himself handled and sold my gun through his store in Utah before he started his own gun mfg. business.
You may want to pursue a letter after all???
 
 
LONGTOM