George

In this case it's a tall ask, but that's what we do for each other in the collecting community. It's our turn to try to help you locate what you need. I'll do some searching later today and make some phone calls. Maybe, just Maybe, we can accommodate you.

Tony

Bert H. said
Try contacting this fellow - Just got a winchester Model 57 | Rimfire Central Firearm Forum
  

Yup, already did that, he has not posted on RFC in awhile and has not yet responded to my PM.  I have another 57 SS Short (not sure why it is not in the survey) with the owner that I PM'd also.

Best Regards,

JWA said
Thanks, just one number off but got that one, keep looking.  The 56 in .22 Short with stainless is easy versus the comparative 57.
Best Regards,
  

I only found (1) Model 57 Stainless barreled 22 Short listed in my copy of the survey... s/n 23524.  

Jeremy P said
I'm glad to hear the book is almost there! Whoo-hoo for retirement!
  

Yes, it is AMAZING how much you can get done when not working 60 hrs/week!

Best Regards,

Unfortunately I do not have one in my reference collection (quiet sob, hic, sob) and somehow failed to retain any images of the markings on others (because I am an idiot).  They DO exist, I have seen them and there are several noted in the 56/57 survey.  I have reached out to the owners but no response yet.

If anyone has one of these RARE rifles (yes Bert, I will use the "R" word in public in this case), can they please provide me pictures of the roll-marking to use in the next book?  Please, please, pretty please!

Thanks in advance!

Best Regards,

All three of those barrels I pictured have the integral front sight ramp characteristic of the Proof Steel barrels made for the M54 beginning in 1932.  In other words the barrels look like the '33 date barrel on Berts M54 22 Hornet.  All have the later M54/70 Style 1 barrel markings that read "Proof Steel"...

While I've seen "CMS" on early Proof Steel barrels on M70s plenty of times, this is the only Proof Steel M54/70 barrel I've seen stamped "MNS" underneath.  Which begs the question which stamp is "wrong"?  Did Winchester ever make the later M54/70 barrel pattern out of Nickel Steel, or did someone inadvertently stamp "MNS" when they meant to stamp "CMS"?

It's unusual for sure... Not important enough to resort to mass spectroscopy, just unusual.  Besides, only one of those barrels is on a gun I own and it's not the one marked "MNS"...

Thank for the help!!!

Lou

Yes, the MNS stands for Midvale Nickel Steel.  Here is an excerpt from my Winchester stamp "cheat sheet", the first number is the Winchester factory drawing number for the stamp which indicates it's usage.

So, to answer your other question, I am of the opinion that the MNS stamp coupled with the "Proof Steel" marking on the barrel is possibly an error.  Further evidence may prove me wrong though.

Best Regards,

Bert H. said
Lou,
First, the underbarrel markings were applied well before the roll marking on the exposed side of the barrel. 
My bet is that the "M.N.S" marked barrel is an incorrectly roll marked Model 54 Nickel Steel barrel.
This is of course just my opinion.
Bert
  

The "M.N.S." & "C.M.S." are hand stamps along with the other under barrel markings. So easy enough to grab the wrong stamp.

I have some of these stamps. I do need to look through my research and see what means what.

I suppose the only way to truly know is that you would have to somehow test the metal between the two stamped barrels and see how / if they differ.

Good luck with that!

Sincerely,

Maverick

First, the underbarrel markings were applied well before the roll marking on the exposed side of the barrel. 

My bet is that the "M.N.S" marked barrel is an incorrectly roll marked Model 54 Nickel Steel barrel.

This is of course just my opinion.

Bert