Unusual and extremely rare Winchester 1892 .44-40 special 20” half-octagon barrel “Short Rifle” with non-standard half magazine. This rifle with serial number 283203 was made in 1905. According to the standard reference The Winchester Handbook by George Madis, of the over one million Model 1892 Winchesters made, only 1,179 had barrels shorter than the standard 24” length. Additionally, only 613 were produced with half-octagon barrels (of all lengths). Madis lists special shorter magazines as being provided on only 2,740 Model 1892 rifles and carbines combined. Taken together, production figures of a rifle in .44-40 caliber with a special half-magazine, combined with a special 20” length, combined with a special half-octagon barrel configuration is almost too rare to accurately number. Importantly, the walnut forend on this rifle measures 8 3/8” long compared to the forearm on a standard 24” length barrel Model 1892 which measures one inch longer at 9 3/8.” These short forearms are only used on special “Short Rifles” and are a major indication that the barrel has not been cut on this example. The overall condition of this interesting rifle is very fine. The receiver shows a deep aged blue overall that appears never to have been cleaned or enhanced. There is brighter blue on the protected loading gate. All markings on the upper tang and barrel are clear and distinct. The attractive barrel blue has similarly aged and shows some mixing with a natural and uncleaned brown. It is fitted with a classic buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact along with a small blade/bead front sight. The stock and forearm show only normal light handling with fine wood to metal fit, indicating that the stock and forearm are free from sanding or refinishing. The action is crisp and tight with a solid half-cock safety notch on the hammer. The bore shows good rifling with only scattered light roughness. The .44-40 caliber (.44 W.C.F.- Winchester Center Fire) was the largest caliber offered in the Model 1892 and is the most difficult to locate and is the most desirable caliber in the collecting field today. The Model 1892 was a favorite of frontiersmen who wanted to pair their big .44-40 caliber revolvers with a rifle or carbine. This unusual Short Rifle recently came out of Arizona where it very well may have been used on either side of the border during the Mexican Revolution. If a Winchester collector wanted to add a .44-40 caliber Model 1892 20” short rifle with half-octagon barrel and half-magazine to his collection, this might be the only opportunity. There cannot be more than a small handful of Model 1892s like this one. A prize for any Winchester, Old West or Mexican Revolution collection. This firearm classifies as a Curio and Relic or Modern firearm and requires an FFL or NICS background check.