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Connor said
Recently received a Model 56 short that belonged to my Grandfather and my father. Unfortunately it was not purchased new by my family, but has still been with us for over 50 years. It’s in great condition with an original 5 round magazine and what appears to be the original sights. For your survey, I believe the serial number is 1004. Don’t see a number on the underside of the barrel, so guessing date is ’27.
Thanks for the input!
I have added your rifle to the survey. 1004 would have been made in 1926 with a 26 barrel date.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Hello, I ran across your survey while searching for parts for a Model 57. My wife’s cousin was asking for help in finding parts for this rifle. He found this about forty years ago while exploring an old abandoned farmhouse near Ottumwa, Ia. It was as he found it. The bolt assembly, rear peep, and mag release were missing. The stock was plain (uncheckered), and has a flip up rear sight. This is M57 , serial #8845, date 1927 (stamped 27 underside of barrel), with 217 and a “B” within a circle also stamped underside. It is a 22 LR. Hope this helped add to your survey.
What is the significance of the 217 and the circle B ? I have seen this on my M60-A target rifles and my M56 and M57? Thanks, Big Larry
Larry,
The “217” is the bore diameter. Not sure what the circle B is. Jeff should have that answer.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Larry,
The “217” is the bore diameter. Not sure what the circle B is. Jeff should have that answer.
Bert
Thanks for that Bert. There is another M57 on Guns International that just came up for sale. Sorry, I didn’t get the serial number. He listed it as 20***. Another paranoid dealer. He must be afraid the Gun Police will come and get him for his 80 year old rifle. Big Larry
Wendell Ito said
Hello, I ran across your survey while searching for parts for a Model 57. My wife’s cousin was asking for help in finding parts for this rifle. He found this about forty years ago while exploring an old abandoned farmhouse near Ottumwa, Ia. It was as he found it. The bolt assembly, rear peep, and mag release were missing. The stock was plain (uncheckered), and has a flip up rear sight. This is M57 , serial #8845, date 1927 (stamped 27 underside of barrel), with 217 and a “B” within a circle also stamped underside. It is a 22 LR. Hope this helped add to your survey.
Wendell,
Thanks for your rifle information, I have added it to the survey.
As Bert mentioned, the “217” is the bore diameter (.217″) and the circled “B” is the inspection of the barrel/bore. In the same area, there will also sometimes be a triangle shaped stamp with an “I” inside which is the “General Inspection” stamp.
The missing rear peep sight was a Lyman 42W which can sometimes be found on eBay.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Hey JWA,
just picked up a Model 57, serial #24277, 22 LR, folding mid sight, front sight is a semi circle with a notch, Lyman side lock peep.
It is D & T’d on the barrel for a scope, bolt is numbered to the gun. No sling, front barrel band has Pat date. Got it from gunbroker
listed by my LGS in Pa. Happy New Year to you and yours, Chris
[email protected] said
Hey JWA,just picked up a Model 57, serial #24277, 22 LR, folding mid sight, front sight is a semi circle with a notch, Lyman side lock peep.
It is D & T’d on the barrel for a scope, bolt is numbered to the gun. No sling, front barrel band has Pat date. Got it from gunbroker
listed by my LGS in Pa. Happy New Year to you and yours, Chris
Thanks for the info, I did not have that one listed in the survey!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
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I don’t have the barrel date for the 57 (18309) we talked about in another thread but seems it’s safely in 28 territory. It’s out of the safe now, let me know if I need to check it.
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
Check it…
Bert
Hmmmm….that’s a tiny little pin! 
Maybe tomorrow if my eyes are clear and hands are steady.
I recently became the owner of a Winchester model 56 short only. The only numbers I find is 4477 which is stamped on the right side of the action. There is a 26 on the bottom of the barrel.
Rodger,
Thank you for adding your Model 56 to the list. Jeff may have some additional questions for you.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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TXGunNut said
Hmmmm….that’s a tiny little pin!
I’m sorry. It’s too nice a gun and I couldn’t talk myself into it.
TXGunNut said
I’m sorry. It’s too nice a gun and I couldn’t talk myself into it.
No worries, don’t risk messing it up. Your barrel date is very likely 1928 and I have lots of data with ’28 barrel dates on either side of your serial number.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Rodger said
I recently became the owner of a Winchester model 56 short only. The only numbers I find is 4477 which is stamped on the right side of the action. There is a 26 on the bottom of the barrel.
Hi Rodger,
Thanks for adding your info to the survey! Is the bolt body blued or in the white (no bluing)? The bolt should have your serial number (4477) engraved on the underside also.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I cannot say, when I received the gun is was in rough shape, I’m guessing the barrel is stainless, it had years of rust, grime and grease with everything else mixed in with it. So I have it now cleaned up, shiny barrel with a little bit of pitting that I haven’t got out. I do not recall a number on the bolt body, but I will double check. Also if possible, I did buy a new mag for it, but it won’t cycle a bullet out of it so if someone could post a picture of the complete bolt and a picture of the bolt housing on the action, that would be great. Mine has a tab that looks like it was welded in to hold he bolt from rotating.
Rodger,
If the barrel is stainless steel, it will be marked as such on the left side (just in front of the cartridge marking).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
More than likely, it won’t be pitted if it is stainless.
JWA, do you have listed any consecutive pairs, like for my #1903? Thanks, Big Larry
Big Larry said
More than likely, it won’t be pitted if it is stainless.JWA, do you have listed any consecutive pairs, like for my #1903? Thanks, Big Larry
Hi Larry,
Yes, there are 7 consecutive pairs listed so far (and I own one set of them). The closest numbers to your 1903 in the survey are currently 1883 and 1911.
Your Model 56 serial number 1903 is smack in the middle of a block of Model 56’s in .22 Long Rifle so it is likely the numbers consecutive to your rifle are also a 56 in .22 Long Rifle as it seems they were made in “batches” early in production.
Does yours have a blued bolt BODY or is it in the white?
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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