clarence said
Sweetest part of it is the tang sight.  Sure, these sights show up on ebay, but to be spared the trouble of hunting & bidding for one is a gift.  I’ve half-heartedly tried to find one for my father’s 1926 Model 24 Rem, but the ones I see on ebay always start at prices I’m not prepared to pay.

  

I agree, I don’t believe it’s original as it evidently had a barrel sight at one time. Suspect it’s period and has been on there awhile. Sight shows a bit more wear than rest of the gun but that may be honest wear due to location and differences in bluing. Barrel seems like it got a little extra polish but it looks original to me.

Mike

clarence said

TXGunNut said I agree, I don’t believe it’s original as it evidently had a barrel sight at one time. Suspect it’s period and has been on there awhile.

Tang sight for this model not listed in catalog.  Doesn’t prove it couldn’t have been ordered, but doubt most customers would  take the trouble.  Anyway, I think the vast majority of 63s & other .22s were sold in retail stores, not ordered from factory.  Important thing is that it’s there.

  

Good points, Clarence. Must admit the sight and 20” barrel caught my eye. I find it interesting that for the first several months all 63’s were carbines. I prefer the tang sight over the receiver sight that was apparently original on the carbine I had awhile back (sn 6448) even though that rifle was somewhat more valuable. I wasn’t able to sell that rifle for what I thought it was worth, I guess not many collectors appreciate these little rifles. Maybe someone should write a book on the Winchester self loader .22’s.

Mike

deerhunter said
Very nice find being the 20-inch version and love the tang sight as well.  I had a nice model 63 years ago but traded it off when I started focusing on the lever guns for my collection.  Wish I had one again. How finicky are they on ammo?

Don

  

In my experience the promotional high velocity ammo works just fine, Don. I haven’t found this model to be particularly accurate so it won’t benefit from standard velocity target ammo anyway. Looks like the weather is shaping up nicely for an afternoon shoot.

Mike

rogertherelic said
I have Serial #6774 and it has the 23″ barrel.  Anyone know what serial number was the first 23″ barrel produced?  I understand the 20″ barrel serials can reach up to about serial number 10,000.  RDB

  

Wish I knew, FWIW I had a carbine with SN 6448. I suspect your rifle is an early 23” example based on info in the Red Book but you probably already know that. 
I don’t believe anyone is surveying the 63 or 1903. I wonder if there would be enough interest in a book on the self loaders, should probably include the center fires. 

Mike

Win61 said
I have a 20″ carbine S/N 7242 and about 3/4 of the original box. I will pull it out of the safe someday and take pictures. I purchased this little gem due to the year made matching my birth year (1935)  RR

  

Nice! I’ve stashed a very nice but very ordinary 94 built within a few weeks of my birthday in 1960. My dad enjoyed shooting my .22’s, having one built the year he was born is special to me.

Mike

Big Larry said

TXGunNut said

Win61 said

I have a 20″ carbine S/N 7242 and about 3/4 of the original box. I will pull it out of the safe someday and take pictures. I purchased this little gem due to the year made matching my birth year (1935)  RR

  

Nice! I’ve stashed a very nice but very ordinary 94 built within a few weeks of my birthday in 1960. My dad enjoyed shooting my .22’s, having one built the year he was born is special to me.

 

Mike

  

Mike, I have a 1960 30-30 carbine # 2,407,205. No idea what month. It is drippy mint. Close to your birthday?   Big Larry

  

I’d estimate it was built about April 15. I must have been thinking about a 61M I sold a little while back, best guess mine was built early May.

Mike