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Hi Bert, saw you were were doing a survey of model 65’s. I just acquired a 65 with sn: 1004000 in 218 Bee. Year of mfg 1937 which I believe makes it a first year 218 Bee production.
It has the cast front endcap with sling mounting hole. It came with a military style Winchester marked leather sling w/quick dismount snap swivels.
There are no mounted sights. The front ramp and the rear sight dovetails have fillers inserted.
The rear sight location appears to be devoid of any indication of ever having a rear sight since there are no marks on the barrel indicating the presence of an elevator wedge. The front sight ramp does indicate that a hood was present in the past but it is gone now.
The barrel has a mounted Lyman Targetspot 8x scope sn:3270 (not an STS). I don’t know what year Lyman began 8x Targetspot production???
It’s a nice clean rifle showing use but not abuse.
I used to be a WACA member but let my membership laps since I moved to Port Orchard, WA.
Feel free to contact me by email if you’ld like some photos, or would like to come by and see my collections.
Notice you’re in Kingston… I take that ferry frequently.
Best regards
April 15, 2005
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Hello Greg,
Your Model 65 was recently in the Rock Island auction, so I will assume that is where you bought it from. The serial number identifies it as a 1938 production rifle. There is a 2-digit year (date) marking on the bottom of the barrel right next to where it screws into the receiver frame. Simply remove the forend stock nose-cap, which allows the stock and magazine tube to be removed.
I have an office at PSNS and the Bangor Submarine base.
Please send pictures to me at [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
You are correct the barrel is marked 38. My Madis book shows the receiver date as a 37, but that may be an estimate since I don’t think exact records exist for this period. Plus the complication of the depression and sluggish sales it may be hard to know for sure just what happened when. RIA dated it in 37 so they must be using a similar source to mine. I don’t know if Winchester would have sold it with a Lyman Targetspot scope? I have 3 Winchesters fitted with Targetspots, an 1885 in 30Krag and a model 52C that also has Redfield Olympic mounts so it can be switched between scope and iron sights.
Perhaps your survey of the 65’s are revealing better insights into the dates of receiver/barrel manufacture, or maybe it’s a jumble?
I’ll send photos when I have time to take some.
Best regards
Greg
April 15, 2005
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Greg,
Most of the published Winchester DOM lists are not accurate, including Madis’ books. It is very unlikely that Winchester installed a Lyman Targetspot scope. Yes, my continuing research surveys are revealing much better insight into the actual production history of many of the later models. Serial number 1004000 was manufactured in the latter part of the year 1938. Serial number 1004654 was manufactured on 12/6/1939, and 1004978 was manufactured on 2/12/1940. Both of those dates were verified in Winchester’s original serialization records. My current estimate is that serial number 1004200 was the last one made in 1938.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 24, 2012
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Greg,
Nice rifle and scope combo. Is the barrel proof mark under the rear block, or in front of it?
James
September 7, 2017
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Bert,
For the Model 65 survey. I am looking at serial # 1007068, .32 WCF, standard rifle with 22″ barrel, sporting rear sight (22H?), hooded front sight. Is this new to the survey?
Thanks
Mac
April 15, 2005
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Big Mac said
Bert,For the Model 65 survey. I am looking at serial # 1007068, .32 WCF, standard rifle with 22″ barrel, sporting rear sight (22H?), hooded front sight. Is this new to the survey?
Thanks
Mac
Yes, it is a new entry for the survey. I have serial numbers 1007066 and 1007073 in the survey both are also standard rifles in 32 WCF.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
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Bill Hanzel said
https://auctions.thegunrunner.com/lots/view/1-4ZODQN/winchester-model-65-218-bee-cal-lever-action-rifle-24-round-barrel-button-magazine-1953
Actual DOM was October 1942.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 19, 2013
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Another model 65 for the survey. Standard rifle in 218b bolt peep sight. #1006710
April 15, 2005
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Manuel said
Another model 65 for the survey. Standard rifle in 218b bolt peep sight. #1006710
Thanks, that is a new entry in the survey. I currently have 717 Model 65 rifles documented, which equates to nearly 10% of the total production.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 19, 2013
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Bert,
How often do you see the 32 wcf version come up?
April 15, 2005
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Manuel said
Bert,How often do you see the 32 wcf version come up?
This should answer your question…
| Model 65 Cartridge Chambering Totals & Ratios | ||||
| Caliber | 25-20 WCF | 32 WCF | 218 BEE | Total |
| Qty. surveyed | 132 | 172 | 413 | 717 |
| % of survey | 18.41% | 23.99% | 57.60% | |
| Extrapolated Production Qty. | 1,422 | 1,853 | 4,450 | 7,726 |
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 5, 2023
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I recently purchased a standard 65 with serial number 1001490 in 25-20. Tang peep on it. Had the bench set up shooting some 22’s. Brought out the 65 and put 3 86gr soft points in a 3/4″ group at 50 yards. I’m still stunned!
April 15, 2005
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Papalondog said
I recently purchased a standard 65 with serial number 1001490 in 25-20. Tang peep on it. Had the bench set up shooting some 22’s. Brought out the 65 and put 3 86gr soft points in a 3/4″ group at 50 yards. I’m still stunned!
Can you send me pictures of it? Is the front sight ramp grooved for a sight hood?
Based on the serial number, it is a 1933 production rifle… do you know if the barrel is marked “33” on the bottom next to the receiver frame?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 5, 2023
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Yes the front site is grooved for a hood. There is not one on it now but I do believe I have one.
I can’t figure out how to post pictures yet.
April 15, 2005
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Papalondog said
Yes the front site is grooved for a hood. There is not one on it now but I do believe I have one.I can’t figure out how to post pictures yet.
Where do you have your pictures (a PC or phone)? Can you send them to my email – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 19, 2013
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Hi Bert,
Another 65 to the stable. Standard 25-20 serial #1002712 barrel date of 33.
April 15, 2005
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Manuel said
Hi Bert,
Another 65 to the stable. Standard 25-20 serial #1002712 barrel date of 33.
Interesting barrel date. The receiver frame was serialized in early 1935. Can you post (or send me) a clear close-up picture of the front sight (side view) and the upper tang marking ?
Thanks,
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
