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I passed this up a week ago on my weekly favorite LGS visit because I’m generally not a “bolt” fan unless they’re unique or unusual (or Winchesters of course.) My only other bolt gun is a BRNO Model 5. But after reading how few of these they made I figured this week it’d go home with me. That, and they dropped the price to $350 (which I’m sure is still too much – but the only sold values I could find were $800+ and in much better shape – so it didn’t seem too over$.)
The 57 is kinda unique looking. This one isn’t that pretty, and I’m guessing the stock has been refinished (too shiny and have some waviness in it when viewed at an extreme angle.) Bore is perfect on the borescope, shoots fantasticly, no issues. I understand the original magazine would have the caliber marked on the follower?
I also really liked the look with the Lyman peep and folding leaf (all functioning great after a good cleaning!) – but a front globe would have really been cool! I might add a 17A I have sitting around.
I’ve read these were only made for a few years and less than 5k of them produced? It also seems to be more or less the same rifle as the 69?
Also, shouldn’t the crown be in the white after the rust blue? Barrel date is 29 – had Winchester switched to caustic bluing? I’m more of an 1890 fan so I know the barrel crown should be in the white on that year of production.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy the photos and I’m sure I’ll learn something from all of you experts. When I first subrscibed here as a member all I did was browse thhe threads with pics!
If it has no collector value (which I expect/suspected) I was going to do a very minimal “refresh”, but with the low numbers maybe even this one would be better off not “pretty?” and in original condition?
Serial is 17792 and barrel date is 29. 22 Long Rifle, not stamped on magazine. Happy to add any data to any surveys.
Hi AZScooby,
Thanks for the photos! Your rifle had the serial number applied in 1928 but was assembled in 1929. Winchester manufactured over 30,000 of the Winchester Model 56/57 combined (about 21,000+ of the Model 57 alone) so they are not particularly rare although the .22 Short version is much harder to find.
As you noticed, the 56/57 is the precursor to the early model 69 and they share many similarities and even some interchangeable parts.
The barrels were rust blued but by your serial number they were using a bore plug which allowed bluing up to, but not quite to the bore and they did not do a clean-up pass afterward so the muzzles will be partially blued. The receiver was carbona blued (and flaky). Your rifle finishes look original to me.
The late Model 57s did not have a marked follower but your serial number rifle should. It should be marked “.22 Long R.” on the follower.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I swear this place is goldmine for great info!
Thanks!
Maybe it was the Model 57 shorts that they made less than 5K of? that would make more sense.
Compared to the 1890’s and 1906’s those are still rookie numbers!, lol…
How do you know when the serial number was applied? Is that throught your access to the Cody files? If so, are you then assuming since the barrel is makred 29 that is was assembled at that point? Just curious how you guys always seem to know. (I dont’ doubt you’re right at all, I just find it all so interesting and I’m genuinly curious.)
I have the Schwing book for the slide actions, so that’s where I get most of my info about Winchester in general.
Hi AZScooby,
Yes, they made less than 3,000 of the Model 57 in .22 Short so they are much harder to find.
The serial number information is from the original Winchester Model 57 Polishing Room Records which are not at Cody in this case but are owned by Pauline Muerrle. For a small fee she can look up your number and tell you the exact date your serial number was applied. https://paulinemuerrle.com/factory-engraving-records/
Regarding your assembly date, the Polishing Room records show there were NO Model 56/57 receivers serialized in 1929 since they had a surplus of receivers from 1928 which carried them almost all the way through 1929. So, a 1928 receiver with a 1929 barrel was more than likely assembled in 1929 since receiver production began again in January of 1930, having used up the bulk of the previous 1928 receivers. While the Polishing Room date will give you the receiver “born on date”, the assembly date cannot be narrowed down any closer than sometime in 1929.
There is no single source of Winchester information so researchers have to use the combined sources of Cody and Winchester records held in private hands to get the full story. Unfortunately there is factory information scattered amongst many of us which we try to maintain and hopefully one of these days get to a central location.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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