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December 29, 2023
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Guy’s I have ask this question twice now did this model 56 check all the box’s then it was ordered? fancy sporting checkered stock, stainless barrel, sights, rubber butt plate, 10 round and a 5 round marked magazine?
July 17, 2012
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Hi Doc,
Sorry, I have been out of the country for the last few weeks and just noticed your question.
The answer is no it does not “tick all the boxes”, the “highest end” factory catalogued Model 56 rifles were “dual sight”, meaning they had a #40A rear sight and Lyman 42W rear peep sight (like the Model 57) as well as the optional stock checkering.
The rifle in your photos has some red flags, including the incorrect #6 rear folding sight and no rear receiver sight. You did not provide a left side view of the receiver so I cannot see if it originally had one. Also, the “fluted” comb on your stock does not look like the normal Winchester 56 stock comb and may have been modified.
The checkering looks correct for the “Fancy” sporting version but it should have a checkered steel butt plate, I have never seen one with a hard rubber butt plate. Since the hole spacing was different between the hard rubber and the checkered steel you can remove the butt plate and see if there is an extra hole in the butt, that will tell you if the hard rubber butt plate is original or not.
Since the factory option list for the Model 56 is quite long and includes factory sling swivels, sling eyes, Winchester scopes and mounts, upgraded sights, fancy wood, factory engraving, etc. there really is no way to actually “tick all the boxes” for a Model 56.
Other than that it looks like a very good example with many of the upgraded features and is a desirable specimen.
For comparison, here is one that “ticks a few more boxes” with rear Lyman 42W peep sight, optional Lyman 17A front sight, “Fancy” checkering (with steel butt plate), Winchester sling swivels and a factory installed Winchester A5 scope.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
December 29, 2023
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Jawa thanks it does’t have holes for a 42w rear sight and the stock is not cut for one maby because of the stainless barrel? the front sight is a 93A .368 high page 54 in the sight book for a 56. The rear sight is a no. 6 lyman that came on the 56 i guess with a scope page 171 whats odd the no.6 rear sight looks like the only sight thats been on this barrel do to the jap paint on it. I checked the butt plate for the screw holes only has two. on page 499 of the Madis Winchester book it say’s that some of the fancy sporting rifles came with rubber butt plates. all help is greatly appreciated.
December 31, 2012
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Can of worms, but an extremely rare rifle. Hard to put a finger on it as not many were made. Whatever JWA tells you, is the gospel truth. Big Larry
July 17, 2012
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Hi Doc,
Thanks for checking the details, they are all very helpful. You are correct, the rear sight is a #6 and looks like it has been there a long time, my previous comment (which probably wasn’t clear) is that there were a number of different versions of the #6 sight, some single leaf, double leaf, triangle marked, notched, etc. and the sight on that rifle is different than the “normal” #6 supplied on the Model 57 but I don’t know why.
The only other piece of information you mentioned that is throwing me for a loop is you mentioned “it doesn’t have holes for a 42w rear sight” and as far as I know EVERY Model 56 and 57 receiver was drilled and tapped for a rear peep sight and the Model 56 had plug screws installed if a receiver sight was not installed. Possibly they are below the wood line?
Thanks again for sharing.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
July 17, 2012
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Here are Doc’s pictures of the rear of the receiver. Doc, Thanks for sending those, they are very helpful!
The stock DOES have the notch for the Lyman 42W (as would be expected for a 56 “dual sight” but the top edge has been chipped at an angle so the 90 degree notch for the 42W is not readily apparent.
The most interesting thing is that is NOT a Model 56 or 57 receiver, it does not have the rear scallop with the arrow to line up with the safety marking. It is likely a replacement Model 69 receiver which also explains the lack of rear sight mounting holes. Since the stock has the notch for the receiver sight and the receiver does not have the mounting holes for the sight that indicates the receiver has been replaced at some point.
A very interesting rifle to say the least.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 14, 2021
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So what you’re saying is, it checks none of the boxes, it’s a frankenchester. That split for the notch on the stock is prevalent on the 57s.
December 29, 2023
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thanks guy’s I had blinders on was just thinking about the stainless barrel and looked over the rest of the rifle.. oh well 250.00 dollar mistake.
July 17, 2012
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Doc Lane said
thanks guy’s I had blinders on was just thinking about the stainless barrel and looked over the rest of the rifle.. oh well 250.00 dollar mistake.
Actually, you made out VERY well at $250 since just the barrel is worth that.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
December 29, 2023
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So i looked up the 69 receiver to look up the year and and thy didn’t come with a serial number.
July 17, 2012
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Doc Lane said
So i looked up the 69 receiver to look up the year and and thy didn’t come with a serial number.
No, they didn’t, but that style of receiver (without the relief cut) was not invented until 1935 and your serial number is from January 1928 so I am guessing the serial number on your receiver was not applied by Winchester. If you can send me a photo of your serial number I can probably verify that for you. A picture of the proof marks on top of the receiver and barrel would be helpful also. And, while you have the camera out, a picture of the logo on the hard rubber butt plate might reveal some additional info. Thanks!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
December 29, 2023
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thanks JWA we already know there’s issues the proof marks are on the side..I’am going to put it in the safe and let the grand kids shoot it every now and then.
July 17, 2012
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Sound like a good plan, it will be 100 years old soon and will be a cool (and accurate) rifle to shoot.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
December 31, 2012
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My BIL’s Great Uncle George had a nice M56 when we visited him in Colorado. We tried to buy it, but he said it was going to his Daughter in Calif. Last we ever seen of that M56. Most likely wound up in a Pawn Shop like her Gpa’s cap and ball Colt and short bbl. Winchester M1894. Big Larry
December 9, 2002
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Big Larry,
Unfortunately, there’s too many of these stories, and will probably be more as time moves along!
Anthony
December 31, 2012
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My Dad, on retirement from the USMC,sold his 1937 NM Colt and S&W K38 to another Marine who never paid him for the two guns. I was 15 at the time and had little interest in guns. Two family heirlooms gone forever. He did keep my Moms 1949 Target Woodsman which now resides in my safe. I would give every gun I own for that 1937 Colt. Big Larry
December 9, 2002
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Sorry to hear that Big Larry, and from another Marine!
That guy needed a re course, on Semper Fi!!!
Anthony
November 7, 2015
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I’m gonna have to adopt some of our younger members. Only one person in my immediate family is remotely interested in guns and if I outlive him my toys will wind up at the Orphanage. I guess that’s OK, more than a few came from there.
Mike
August 14, 2021
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Ok Mike, feel free to adopt me! I’ll be 61 this year, but being a disabled combat veteran it probably pushes me to 70. I’m always looking for a deal on a 52 and a 58 to complete my rimfire samples. I just can see spending over 1k for a 52.
The 1886 on top is my 52 placeholder.
Steve
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