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October 10, 2021
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sir,
I purchased a m57 via Cabelas, 23073 matching bolt; shark fin sight, and Lyman rear peep and the fold down rear site. The barrel was marked 30 B 217
Questions: is the front trigger guard screw the only one that should have scrollwork on it? my other two screws are plain, and should the barrel band be installed so the pat date info is on the right or left? and what does the B and the 217 refer to? thanks. Brian
July 17, 2012
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Hi Bryan,
Thanks for your info. Your rifle was made in late 1930 and matches your “30” barrel date.
The “B” is an inspector’s stamp.
The 217 is the bore diameter at the lands .217″.
The front trigger guard screw should be plain like the other 2, the scrollwork is not factory.
The barrel band patent date typically came from Winchester installed on the right side but the band is symmetrical and can be installed either way.
I am assuming it is .22 LR and not .22 Short?
Thanks!
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
October 10, 2021
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Jwa,
thanks, in answer .22LR, also, on the trigger guard at one of the bends there is brass looking metal, so the backside of the trigger guard is blued (i.e., black), the outside what is visible when screwed to the stock, is thining blue but mostly grey/browning metal, but for a 1/8 ” x 3/8″ patch of gold colored metal..thoughts? thanks…the underside of the barrel has evidenced of cold blue, I used a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to confirm..
July 17, 2012
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Hi Bryan,
Could it be a brazed repair? There should be no “gold” color anywhere on the trigger guard.
A picture would help determine what it is.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
October 10, 2021
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A while back I provided a M57 .22 LR #20842…I took a look at the underside of the barrel as requested, it is B inspector stamp, 217, triangle and 29 dated . the barrel looked like original bluing however this is a barrel where the exposed topside has the browning patina with 30-40% bluing…I was surprised how nice the bluing; or how black it was; is it normal for the letters to be black or should the roll marks B, 217, and 29 be white/silver?
Also, this barrel has the 3/8″ line on the barrel and a 3/8″ line on the receiver section for alignment like I have seen on M72s….Additionally, the proof marks are offset like one reads about for telescopic winchester…
Do you know if it was common to not center the proofmarks on the topside of the barrel but instead place them laterally just above the wood; to align the barrel on the M57; and stamp an inverted triangle before 29?
Break, in response to my other gun, the takedown screw is the one with the short lines around the circumference of the screwhead..if not normal for the M57.do you know what model used a takedown like I am describing? I thought perhaps it was different to indicate the takedown screw…the design looks like a winchester screwhead..I just cannot recall what model I have seen it on.
thanks.
I recently inherited my Great Grandfathers Model 56
Serial Number 13769
Plain Factory stock, original condition with normal handling marks.
Most of the bluing is gone but no pitting or damage to the barrel, bore is in excellent condition, bolt functions as it should. Some light patina on all exposed metal
22 LR
Restoration is starting today 🙂
July 17, 2012
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Awesome, thanks for the survey info! Your rifle was made in 1927.
You might want to reconsider the restoration, if it is not heavily pitted or otherwise damaged (drilled and tapped, stock modified, etc.) it is worth more with only 5% original bluing than a re-blued rifle. Additionally, that wear, rubbing and patina was done by your Great-Grandfather, you will never get that back if you make it “look pretty”. Just my opinion, I would give it a good cleaning and leave it alone, just like your ancestor did 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
Awesome, thanks for the survey info! Your rifle was made in 1927.You might want to reconsider the restoration, if it is not heavily pitted or otherwise damaged (drilled and tapped, stock modified, etc.) it is worth more with only 5% original bluing than a re-blued rifle. Additionally, that wear, rubbing and patina was done by your Great-Grandfather, you will never get that back if you make it “look pretty”. Just my opinion, I would give it a good cleaning and leave it alone, just like your ancestor did 😉
Best Regards,
Thank you for the reply. I have a large collection of guns with some historic and cash value. I did restore this one simply because it had been left in a room for many years and the rust was pretty bad. There had been a restoration of the stock in the 1970’s and thins were just too rough and ending attention. I took it down to every part and cleaned all of the internal parts, removed the rust from the exterior barrel, cleaned the barrel and the rifling looks as new. It is now functioning, safe and ready to pass down to the next generation in the family. I may send it in and have it blued but for now it is in the raw state and protected with a museum quality wax. It looks amazing but still has much of the character on the stock and action.
Hi. I have one that is barrel marked 15149, and the code on the bottom (B) 217 with a triangle and the number 27.
July 17, 2012
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Welcome kcie!
Thanks for the information, your rifle was made in late 1927. Is it a Model 56 or 57?
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I just inherited a 57 in rough but likely functional condition.
SN 25184
Unknown barrel date – I’ll update once I’ve had a chance to take it apart
.22 long rifle
It has the mount for a lyman sight, but the actual peep is missing. The front iron sight post has been sheared off.
Came with a NobuckL strap that’s pretty much ruined.
No aftermarket upgrades or alterations.
It was pretty gross when I got it. I’ve cleaned it up a bit and the bore looks decent, but it’s otherwise a bit dinged up. It probably still fires, but I haven’t tested it.
July 17, 2012
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Hi Benjamin,
Thanks for your data, your rifle is a new entry in the survey! 25183 (the number before yours) was sold by Proxibid in 2016.
They are great shooting rifles and it sounds like yours still has some life left.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 14, 2021
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Howdy Jeff.
I picked up Model 57 sn 10552.
Barrel dated 27. 22LR
Has an unmarked follower though, would like to find one if possible.
Front barrel band is loose ( I have the pin out trying to see why), any thoughts on a fix?
July 17, 2012
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Hi Steve, congrats and thanks for the info!
The barrel bands will sometimes get loose due to stock shrinkage. They can sometimes be tightened by placing a shim under the barrel at the band. This may affect accuracy (sometimes good and sometimes detrimental) so shoot it for groups first and then again after shimming just to see what happens.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 14, 2021
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Howdy Jeff, you can add 17505 Model 57 22LR (1928) to your list, if you do not have it already. FYI I took your advice, the rifle is fully functional but has lost most of the bluing, BUT the stock was complete. I swapped stocks with the nice 57 that had old replacement stock (1927), so they are very close in mfg date. Basically I paid $320 for the stock and got a shooter 57 in addition. Unfortunately, it did not have the labeled mag follower.
Steve G
June 30, 2025
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For your research consideration.
1928 Model 57 ser# 9426 .22 long rifle.
Bottom of barrel stamped “27”. Also branded with “633/(B)217”.
Furniture has had an attempt to give it homemade “lines” on the cheek rest. Further custom carving is a matching swirl eye opposite of magazine release on right side of stock.
Rear peep sight base included but it does not resemble a Lyman 42w. The numbers “107 66” are legible on mating surface of peep sight.
July 17, 2012
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Awesome, thanks for the detailed info!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 16, 2025
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I have 2 model 57’s to add
Bottom gun in picture
S/N 16810, 22LR, barrel stamped 28 B.217 Lyman 42W rear sight + blank
Top gun in picture
S/N 22769, 22LR, 30 B.217 Lyman 42W rear sight + folding rear
For a brief time I had a Model 56, S/N 6415 which has a Lyman 42W rear + Winchester 40A rear. It is now in the hands of one of my collector friends.
Last but not least I am awaiting a model 56 that I secured from gunbroker. It “appears” to be a Fancy Sporting but I will defer to yalls expertise. I bought it for mere curiosity sake as I have only seen one other Fancy Sporting in the wild around these parts. It certainly tweaked my interest along with some other Vintage gun folks bidding against me. No worries though as I didn’t have to mortgage anything to get it. Here’s the listing on GB.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1119838946
Thanks
Brent
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