1892 in tactical use historically

[mickb]

Always found it interesting how often the 1892 lever action was picked up by military, police, prisons, government, militia groups the last 100 years, including use as recently as the 1970's. A lot came into Australia through a couple of importers in the day, for both private and goverment use.

Some examples

W.A Police until 1970
Victoria Prison Service- to 1940's
NSW prison service, issued to wall guards- I believe in 38-40
NT Police, 32-20 specifically, to 1940's

PNG police, 1920-1930's

Royal Navy- 21,000 issued in WW1 for armed trawlers, merchant ship security, boarding parties and popping( shooting) floating mines.
1000 privarely purchased for East Yorkshire Regiment when no 303's available.

Canada- as above, also issued to homeguard and militia units guarding bridges, canals, grain elevators.

Spanish Civil Guardia- issued to railways and other regiments from 1923. Retired in the late 1970's, early 1980's
Spanish civil war- 1930's, issued to Militias, police, rear echelon guards

Argentina Railway Police, Sante Fe and Cordoba Regional Police, until the 1950's.

LAPD, early 1900's

Brazil Rubber plantation Police- early 1900's

There are probably many more but they were the main searches.

Of note the anemic 44-40 was overhauled with 'high velocity' ammo a couple times from 1903 onwards which got to 1500-1600fps with a 200 grain jacketed bullet. Essentially a 44 magnum-lite load.

[alexjones]

Can't beat a lever gun. Especially these days with pic rails and good optics.

[Blr243]

Had no idea levers were popular with the groups mick mentioned

[alexjones]

Had no idea levers were popular with the groups mick mentioned

A lever was the AR15 or AK47 of its day.

Can still cycle the action and stay on target easily.

[mickb]

Yes it was pretty popular for policing/closed quarters bieng easy to use, easy to teach, to scabbard, can be topped up through the top for sustained single fire. The cavalry blokes liked its ability over bolt actions to be fired singe handed. Not sure how accurate that would be,but I guess if your almost colliding with the other side it would work. The 1892 was pretty tough in shiity conditions too. Not trying to make it out to be a battle rifle, obviously the roles preferred less horsepower than bottlenecked cartridges. At the turn of the century bolt rifles were more expensive and more difficult to get contracts for as well. Just saw another source that W.A Police were phasing them out in the 50's, but some still in stations in the 70's.

[wrenchman]

there were a lot of the 92s that went over to you guys I have read that more shorter ones were sold there then here and were sold longer to you guys

[mickb]

there were a lot of the 92s that went over to you guys I have read that more shorter ones were sold there then here and were sold longer to you guys

Yes they were imported by Perry brothers in the late 19th century onwards as the 'Stinger'

Good article, I think you have to enter a bogus birthdate to read it

https://www.rockislandauction.com/riac- ... down-under

The 1894 in pistol calibres was also popular to the same sort of groups. The french Navy bought a lot for mine shooting in the war and I believe the Canadian government bought a heap for homeguard type roles.