Hello, this item is a Winchester Model 1892 lever-action rifle chambered in .38-40 (marked as “38 W.C.F.” for Winchester Center Fire), featuring the highly desirable octagonal barrel. The low serial number “1736” confirms that this rifle was manufactured during the first year of production—1892—making it particularly rare and historically significant. The rifle appears to retain its original configuration, with signs of honest wear consistent with age, including patina and surface aging on the metal components. Based on the provided images, the wood stock and metal hardware appear structurally intact, though with expected wear, which does not detract from its collector value but rather affirms its authenticity.

The Winchester Model 1892, designed by John Browning, was a refinement of earlier lever-action rifles and is highly prized by collectors, especially first-year production pieces. Early examples with low serial numbers and octagon barrels are considerably more valuable than later models. Given the early production date, overall condition, and the desirability of the .38-40 caliber variant, this rifle would carry a current fair market value between $3,000 and $4,000 USD, with potential upside depending on bore condition, mechanical functionality, and provenance. Rifles with confirmed factory originality and excellent preservation have fetched higher figures in specialized arms auctions.