Very nice! Those look good to me and the barrel is probably original. Check the barrel date next time you have it apart, it is probably a 29. You have a nice rare 57 – congrats!
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Jeff,
Here ia another Model 57, s/n 22221 – http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gun-Library/Winchester-Rifles%7C/pc/103792680/c/103589280/Winchester-Model-57-22-LR/2077155.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fwinchester-rifles%2F_%2FN-1103078%2B4294768037%2FNe-4294768037%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103589280%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP%26recordsPerPage%3D46%26WTz_srn%3DSeeAllItems
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks, I had that one already but keep up the good work!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Thanks, that is very helpful! Nice looking rifle, I appreciate you taking the time to check it out for me.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Mod. 57. SN 17131
Standard front sight,flip up rear, layman peep.
21inch barrel, b(in a circle) .217 under side to rear of screw mount. 28 by receiver.
Metal butt plate , original finish , original sling
Weaver B4 scope w/ N3 mount.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
T said
Model 56
sn 11008
22lr
Thank You Sir!
I did not have that one listed.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Vince said
Mod. 57. SN 17131
Standard front sight,flip up rear, layman peep.
21inch barrel, b(in a circle) .217 under side to rear of screw mount. 28 by receiver.
Metal butt plate , original finish , original sling
Weaver B4 scope w/ N3 mount.
Thank You Vince!
I did not have that one either. Is it .22 LR or .22 Short? I assume it is LR based on the serial number but have to ask…….
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
22lr
It is a fantastic little 22. Very accurate , in fact it is as accurate as my neighbor’s import mod 52. (or is that precision) ?
Just got my 16th Winchester 22, a 1890 in WRF.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Vince said
22lr
It is a fantastic little 22. Very accurate , in fact it is as accurate as my neighbor’s import mod 52. (or is that precision) ?
Just got my 16th Winchester 22, a 1890 in WRF.
That is in fact a good analogy. If I recall correctly, the 57 was chambered and rifled to the same Winchester specifications as the model 52 of the period. As you stated, they are very accurate rifles.
Congrats on your new 1890, they are not quite as accurate but lots of fun!
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I finally got my M56 22 short to the range. 50 yards off the bench in a high end rest, best I could do was keep all my shots in the black of a 100 yard target. Bore on this rifle is a 10 for 10. Will not even compete with my M47.
Vince mentions original sling? I only wish I had one for my M57. Need a #6 single leaf rear sight too. Big Larry
The Kerr Adjustable Strap Co. was the supplier to Winchester for the original “NoBuckl” Model 57 slings. They were a different length and width than the more common WWI USGI 1917 and 1903 slings. There was also some variation in the slings shipped to Winchester from Kerr. Some buckles were marked, some were unmarked, some were 1″ and some were 7/8″ wide. In general, the commercial style Kerr sling that would be appropriate for the Model 57 are few and far between. I need a couple myself.
Regarding the accuracy of the Model 56, my personal opinion is that the .22 short round in the 56 is a 50 yard cartridge at best. Coupled with a 56 sporting rifle and sporting chamber specs I would say you did well in keeping them in the black. The 57 would probably fare a little better but the .22 short is not really a match round. Exactly what ammo were you shooting? Modern CCI shorts? The twist rate in the 56 (.22 short barrel) seems to like lower velocities and I would experiment with some different sub-sonic brands to find the sweet spot if you really want to get the most out of it. It will never rival the Model 47 in .22 LR though, that is not a fair comparison.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
The Kerr Adjustable Strap Co. was the supplier to Winchester for the original “NoBuckl” Model 57 slings. They were a different length and width than the more common WWI USGI 1917 and 1903 slings. There was also some variation in the slings shipped to Winchester from Kerr. Some buckles were marked, some were unmarked, some were 1″ and some were 7/8″ wide. In general, the commercial style Kerr sling that would be appropriate for the Model 57 are few and far between. I need a couple myself.
Regarding the accuracy of the Model 56, my personal opinion is that the .22 short round in the 56 is a 50 yard cartridge at best. Coupled with a 56 sporting rifle and sporting chamber specs I would say you did well in keeping them in the black. The 57 would probably fare a little better but the .22 short is not really a match round. Exactly what ammo were you shooting? Modern CCI shorts? The twist rate in the 56 (.22 short barrel) seems to like lower velocities and I would experiment with some different sub-sonic brands to find the sweet spot if you really want to get the most out of it. It will never rival the Model 47 in .22 LR though, that is not a fair comparison.
Regards,
The ammo I used was some red box Peters with the 1961 child warning. I have feelers out for some late 22 shorts. I do not shoot anything without a warning on it. BTW, I love my M47. Has the plain sights. Just bought two M1894’s. I guess I just love old Winchesters. Thanks, Big Larry
Aaron said
I have a M56
.22 short
stainless steel barrel
original sights
serial number 4354
have not taken it apart to get the barrel date. all original, all markings line up correctly.
Awesome, thank you! I did not have that one in the survey and the stainless barrels are rare. Based on your early serial number the barrel is probably a replacement but it would be interesting to note the barrel date if you take it down for cleaning in the future.
Thanks again for the info.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

pdog72 said
Jeff,
I have a M57 with s/n 23850. It was bought new in 1931 as I happen to have a letter from the original owner telling the history of this little rifle. The barrel date is 31 and its a 22LR. It has the NobuckL sling with it that looks like it may be original to the rifle. Its a great little 22 with the original target peep sight on it.
pdog72 saidJeff,
I have a M57 with s/n 23850. It was bought new in 1931 as I happen to have a letter from the original owner telling the history of this little rifle. The barrel date is 31 and its a 22LR. It has the NobuckL sling with it that looks like it may be original to the rifle. Its a great little 22 with the original target peep sight on it.
pdog72 said
Jeff,
I have a M57 with s/n 23850. It was bought new in 1931 as I happen to have a letter from the original owner telling the history of this little rifle. The barrel date is 31 and its a 22LR. It has the NobuckL sling with it that looks like it may be original to the rifle. Its a great little 22 with the original target peep sight on it.
– Serial number (complete) Model 57 ser# 5164
– Barrel date (2 digits located on the underside of the barrel near the receiver) 26
– Caliber (.22 Short or .22 Long Rifle) LR
– Factory upgrades (sights, stock checkering or scope) factory sites
– Non-factory upgrades/modifications (re-finishing wood or metal, aftermarket scopes, replacement parts) Had scope mounts w/scope, now no mounts, linseed oiled the stock and cold blued sometime in the 50’s. This was given to me by my Dad when I was 7, that was 1954. I think he was given the 57 by his Dad who was a river captain in Alaska at the time this rifle was manufactured.
William Ward said
– Serial number (complete) Model 57 ser# 5164– Barrel date (2 digits located on the underside of the barrel near the receiver) 26
– Caliber (.22 Short or .22 Long Rifle) LR
– Factory upgrades (sights, stock checkering or scope) factory sites
– Non-factory upgrades/modifications (re-finishing wood or metal, aftermarket scopes, replacement parts) Had scope mounts w/scope, now no mounts, linseed oiled the stock and cold blued sometime in the 50’s. This was given to me by my Dad when I was 7, that was 1954. I think he was given the 57 by his Dad who was a river captain in Alaska at the time this rifle was manufactured.
Thank you Sir!
I did not have that one in the survey. Sounds like your rifle has a great family history.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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