Went to a gun show this A.M. Unbeknownst to me when I got home I found a Model 63 had jumped into my car trunk. Long way back to show so I decided to read up on this jumper. Knowing absolutely nothing about self loaders I researched in Madis’ WINCHESTER HANDBOOK. On page 240 (if I read correctly) he says all of this model was D&T for tang sight. This one is not. Any info would be appreciated (I’m sure Bert can add based on SN 69414A). Need to know approximate value to report to wife. Have included some pix. Don
Don,
Once again, Madis was wrong… only the pre-WW II model 63 rifles were D&T for a tang sight. The serial number on the one that jumped into your trunk is a post WW II production rifle and should not be D&T for a tang sight. The value is what it cost you to put in the trunk.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hi Don,
Bert is correct and has given you good info. For value, the post-war, non-grooved Model 63’s in about your condition have been selling recently in the $550-$600 range. The pre-war and post-1955 grooved receiver versions bring more and, of course, condition is always important.
For comparison, here is one similar to yours that just sold on Gunbroker a few weeks ago – https://www.gunbroker.com/item/943463908
Congrats on your stowaway!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
I’ve had a few interesting 63’s that somehow escaped, wouldn’t mind finding another someday. When I had a rash of “trunk-jumpings” I would keep an old soft sided gun case in my trunk to ease the transition to their new home…and I’m single, lol.
Mike
I took my model 63 to the rifle range and found the magazine tube very difficult to turn and extract. I swabbed and scrubbed the outer magazine tube and got it working almost perfectly. My question is, due to being a blow-back system, does residue accumulate in magazine and require frequent cleaning? Don
November 7, 2015
I suppose that may depend as much on the ammunition as the action. I never got the chance to shoot my 63’s enough to prove or disprove your theory but nowadays any new acquisition with a tubular magazine gets the magazine swabbed out and lubricated. My first 22 had a tubular magazine and I shot it quite a bit with the cheapest ammo I could find. I don’t recall residue ever being a problem but I can assure you it was cleaned and lubricated more than necessary.
Mike
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