Something’s wrong with this description and I bet it wont take you long to find it.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/977335244/Winchester-model-55-32-win-sp.htm
Wincacher said
I must have looked at the wrong picture. The one I saw is a take-down and has the 3/4 take-down magazine. Plus, the advertized serial number is 97xx.
Nope, you looked at the correct picture.
The first 12,002 Model 55 Rifles manufactured were serialized in their own serial number sequence, beginning with serial number 1. On March 3rd, 1928, serial number 12002 was the last one in the sequence. Winchester then merged the Model 55 serial numbers with the Model 94 in March of 1928. The earliest Model 55/94 serial number I have confirmed thus far is 1019676 (March 26th, 1928). All of the Model 55 rifles in the 1 – 12002 serial range were Take Downs, with 1/2 magazines.
The Redfield peep sight is not correct, nor are the sling mounts.
Just in case you were not aware, I wrote a detailed article about the Model 55 several years ago that was published in “The Collector Magazine”. You can read it by scanning through the Magazines we have online. https://winchestercollector.org/magazines/201201/index.html
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks, Bert. I knew that takedowns were more common than solid frames in the 55 but wasn’t aware that ALL the model 55’s serial numbered in their own range were take downs. So I guess if you find a 55 serial numbered in with the model 94 that is a take down it would be a special order rifle?
Well, Bert, I checked the link on your post and read your interesting article on the Model 55. I must place myself in the category of those collectors to whom the Model 55 is an unknown. To date I am aware that the Model 55 was introduced by Winchester to combat declining sales of their Model 94 rifles (not carbines). From what I’ve just read I now know that it was a lightweight version, probably to help sales vs. the Model 94 rifle.
So what is a Model 55 Winchester? Aside from the above, are there any difference between it and the Model 94 or was it just a sales gimmick on Winchester’s part? Over the years I’ve seen catalogs and ads for parts that are interchangeable between the 94 and 55, as well as the 64. What is it about the 55 that makes it a uniquely different model than the 94? Or are the differences mostly cosmetic like, say the differences between a Biscayne and Bel Air of the same year?
Wayne
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
January 26, 2011
pdog72 said
The rifle is from 1927 ……but I am intrigued by the very rare “solid frame” takedown model………..truly a one of a kind 55.
Wincacher – I was kidding with the statement above, It is clearly a takedown but the description lists it as a solid frame. This is what Woma951 was alluding to in the original post.
As far as the 55, it was just a 94 frame with a few of the features they thought to be most desirable to the buyers all wrapped up into one rifle. These being 24″ round barrel, 1/2 mag, takedown, and shotgun butt. Obviously, folks still wanted something that said Model 94 on it, so the sales were minimal. I am shocked with the limited production of the 55, yet I see a lot of them available online and at shows……maybe people still don’t really want them and they pass from one owner to another regularly, who knows. I have owned three of them and am still looking for a better one for my collection. The vast majority have very little if any finish left on the receivers, or they have extra holes.
~Gary~
I’ve noticed the same thing here in NM, Gary. The local gun store that has several old Winchesters rarely has any 73’s or 92’s anymore but has lots of 94’s with some 55’s mixed in. The 94’s seem to move but whenever I go there they seem to still have the same 55’s on the rack, and I never paid any attention to them.
Thanks for the Mod 55 update.
Wayne
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
mike webb said
Thanks, Bert. I knew that takedowns were more common than solid frames in the 55 but wasn’t aware that ALL the model 55’s serial numbered in their own range were take downs. So I guess if you find a 55 serial numbered in with the model 94 that is a take down it would be a special order rifle?
Mike,
Winchester continued manufacturing the Model 55 in the Take Down version until early March of 1931 (though there are a few Solid Frames that first appear in December/January of 30/31) . In my research survey, I have recorded (612) Take Downs versus just (139) Solid Frame Model 55 rifles. That works out to a 81.49% to 18.51% ratio.
In answer to your question, No, a Model 55 Take Down in the Model 94 serial number sequence was not a special order rifle. I have (209) Take Down rifles in the Model 94 serial number range versus just (139) that are Solid Frames. There were an estimated 8,578 Model 55 Rifles manufactured in the Model 94 serial number sequence.
The following information is excerpted from my research survey;
Caliber and Frame Type Extrapolated Totals & Percentages | |||||||
30 W.C.F. | 67.32% | 13,854 | Take Down | 81.49% | 16,771 | ||
32 W.S. | 23.39% | 4,813 | Solid Frame | 18.51% | 3,809 | ||
25-35 WCF | 8.55% | 1,759 | |||||
38-55 | 0.75% | 154 | |||||
Total | 100.00% | 20,580 | Total | 100.00% | 20,580 |
Observed Serial Number Range and Frame Types Totals & Percentages | |||||||
Model | 12,002 | 8,578 | Total | Take Down | Solid Frame | Total | |
55 | 411 | 340 | 751 | 612 | 139 | 751 | |
% of | 3.424% | 3.964% | 3.649% | 81.49% | 18.51% |
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
One of the advantages of this new forum is that I can insert the Excel tables that I use for my research surveys. I will (when requested) provide/post the current results of the many different surveys I have in progress.
I will ask that everyone who reads this to consider becoming an assistance research volunteer. The more people I can recruit to gather information, the better (and faster) the surveys will grow. If you are interested in assisting, or have questions, please get in touch with me.
For those that are not aware, the following is a detailed list of everything that I am currently researching (surveying);
1. Model 1885 serial numbers > 109999
2. Model 1893 Shotguns (all serial numbers)
3. Model 1894 serial numbers 1 – 9999 (this is for a study of the First variations)
4. Model 1894/94 serial numbers 354000 – 2600011
5. Model 1897/97 Shotguns (all serial numbers)
6. Model 43 Rifles (all serial numbers)
7. Model 55 Rifles (all serial numbers)
8. Model 64 Rifles & Carbines (all serial numbers)
9. Model 65 Rifles (all serial numbers)
10. Model 71 Rifles & Carbines (all serial numbers)
I have already written articles for several of the Models listed above, and I have articles in progress for all of the remaining Models in this list that will be published in the WACA Collector magazine.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Wincacher said
I’ve noticed the same thing here in NM, Gary. The local gun store that has several old Winchesters rarely has any 73’s or 92’s anymore but has lots of 94’s with some 55’s mixed in. The 94’s seem to move but whenever I go there they seem to still have the same 55’s on the rack, and I never paid any attention to them.
Thanks for the Mod 55 update.
Wayne
Wayne,
Please pay a bit more attention to them, and if you are willing, please forward me the statistical information on them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Wincacher said
I’ve noticed the same thing here in NM, Gary. The local gun store that has several old Winchesters rarely has any 73’s or 92’s anymore but has lots of 94’s with some 55’s mixed in. The 94’s seem to move but whenever I go there they seem to still have the same 55’s on the rack, and I never paid any attention to them.
Thanks for the Mod 55 update.
Wayne
Wayne,
Please pay a bit more attention to them, and if you are willing, please forward me the statistical information on them.
Bert
Bert, I have 16 Winchester M1894-M94’s in the range of your #4 request. What info would you like on them? Big Larry
Wincacher said
I’ve noticed the same thing here in NM, Gary. The local gun store that has several old Winchesters rarely has any 73’s or 92’s anymore but has lots of 94’s with some 55’s mixed in. The 94’s seem to move but whenever I go there they seem to still have the same 55’s on the rack, and I never paid any attention to them.
Thanks for the Mod 55 update.
Wayne
Does the gun shop your referring to have a web sit if so could you share?
Larry,
In response to your question, Yes, I would like the information (though I believe that I already have all of them > 1,000,000).
1. Serial number
2. Caliber marking
3. Variation & frame type
4. Barrel information
5. Magazine tube length
6. Upper tang marking
7. Butt plate type
8. Special order features (if any)
I reserve the rights to ask additional questions if necessary
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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