Model 56/57 Research Survey|Page 19|Winchester Research Surveys|Forum|Winchester Collector

JWA said
Brent,
Thanks for adding to the survey!  Both of the 57’s are new additions.
I saw your Model 56 (#6415) at the Cody, WY show in 2021.
I will take a look at your auction pictures later this week when I get a chance.
Best Regards,
  

Thank you kind Sir. I bought the 56 (#6415) from an older collector friend (in his 80’s) who had been tempting me with it at every gunshow. He stopped doing gunshows due to health reasons so I had to track him down because I knew he had the 56 and I was having heck trying to find one.  He had tons of Savage model 99’s at one point along with his Winchesters. When I went to visit him he was down to 7 guns.  I bought the model 56, a model 75 sporting and a first year Savage 1920 in 250 savage.  I paid him a fair sum for all 3 guns but hey that’s sometimes what we do for our collector friends.  I think of many exhibitors at the shows as family.

The 56 although on my list for the collection I let go to another friend in his 70’s.  I just turned 62 so I figured it would be a fair turn and at some point I might even find a Fancy Sporting 56.  The gun I bought from GB might be or not. Either way it’s the thrill of the chase.

Brent

Steven Gabrielli said
Per JWA from long ago, but it’s a great post.
https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/model-56-re-hash.525369/
  

Awesome!  That’s actually the post that brought me here to WACA as a member!   Thanks Steven and thanks JWA.

Brent

That’s awesome Jeff. When will the 75 book be out of the printer? I believe Littlebigmans 56 off Gunbroker is a standard 56 made to look like a fancy sporter, the stock looks like a replacement, but I don’t know for sure. 

Put me down for a 75 book! I have 4 targets and 3 sporting. I started collecting them to work with the 4H kids around here. Poor man’s model 52 🙂

Chuck said

JWA said
Steve,
Shhhh! The Model 75 book has been out of the printer and sitting on 3 pallets (3.5 tons of boxes) in my garage for the last 4 weeks.  I have been out of the country so no one could ship any of them until I returned to number and sign them.  I will finally be back on Friday and will let everyone here know as soon as they are available on the website, likely ready this weekend.
I hate it when work gets in the way of hobbies!
Best Regards,
  

You know I need one. 
  

Yes, you do!

Mike

My model 56 came in from the auction.

S/N 18256- serial matches bolt

22 LR

checkered stock, trigger guard inletted

42W rear, folding rear, scope mounts for target scope, front site Lyman patent 1,901,399 with insert

pics attached

Steven Gabrielli said
How’s the magazine? Does it have the caliber engraved on the follower?
  

not on this magazine. could be replacement

It’s an interesting rifle, one that I even placed a bid on, as I thought it would be a fun “shooter grade” toy.  Obviously, you bid more than I did so you thought it was more valuable than I do.  But I’m quite certain that the stock is not a factory creation, at least not in its present configuration. The checkering, the pistol  grip cap, and the relief cuts to recess the trigger guard are all non-factory alterations. The inlet for the Lyman 42 sight is not done to factory specifications.  It also has a number of extra holes (at least three) in the receiver, and two in the barrel, that are suspect.  Since I have one of the diminutive Unertl small game scopes that would have fit those scope blocks just fine, the extra holes did not cause me any consternation.  But to me, that Winchester 56 is just a highly modified shooter, albeit one with some interesting sights and other features.

BRP

Blue Ridge Parson said
It’s an interesting rifle, one that I even placed a bid on, as I thought it would be a fun “shooter grade” toy.  Obviously, you bid more than I did so you thought it was more valuable than I do.  But I’m quite certain that the stock is not a factory creation, at least not in its present configuration. The checkering, the pistol  grip cap, and the relief cuts to recess the trigger guard are all non-factory alterations. The inlet for the Lyman 42 sight is not done to factory specifications.  It also has a number of extra holes (at least three) in the receiver, and two in the barrel, that are suspect.  Since I have one of the diminutive Unertl small game scopes that would have fit those scope blocks just fine, the extra holes did not cause me any consternation.  But to me, that Winchester 56 is just a highly modified shooter, albeit one with some interesting sights and other features.
BRP
  

Thank you for your insight.  The gun is everything I expected it to be. I did not value it as a Fancy Sporting, I valued it as a Model 56 which I can shoot as all of my guns are.  I have nothing to reference what a Fancy Sporting looks like other than descriptions from JWA. Perhaps someone can post up some pictures.

I believe there is a Fancy Sporting 56 here in New Mexico. Last year I was shooting a Model 57 at a 4H Turkey shoot fund raiser (metallic silhouettes). I looked down the line and an older gentleman wearing a Top Hat stepped up with a Model 56 with a checkered stock.  I pointed the gun out to my friend Ronnie who was a range officer for the shoot. Ronnie has been looking for a 56 as well. Anyhow after we left the line Ronnie ran up to the guy and blurted out “how much do you want for that gun?”  The gentleman clutched the gun like a church lady clutching her bible and said “it’s not for sale!”  Personally I was hoping to have a closer look but didn’t get the opportunity.  Perhaps this fall I can see the gun again.  As for Ronnie I let him acquire the Model 56 referenced in several posts above which JWA recorded with my Model 57’s.

In short I value this gun for it’s unique qualities (whatever it’s story is), it’s balance and finish and it’s amazing accuracy. I am blessed to have a gun range here on my farm and I indeed shot the rifle even before taking the pictures to post up here.

Brent