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This is the rifle at the far left in the Hunting Party photo posted in the Hunting and Shooting Forum. The magazine tube has been removed from the modern photos. Here is one for the survey Bert. SN # 5066 and georgeous to boot after all this time. Does anybody think the receiver sight could be factory installed. I will ask the owner to take it off and check the threads for bluing. It is not mine, but what ever the commandment is about coveting the neighbors goodies consider it broken for this one.
A few more and high resolution here:
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii222/bigoils/Model%2055%20Hunt%20Party/
Thanks
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Hello Michael,
That is indeed a very nice special order deluxe Model 55 8)
My educated guess is that the Lyman receiver sight is factory original.
Thank you very much for posting the pictures and information 😀
Bert
edit: Please inform the owner that it was serialized on July 31st, 1926.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
I thought you would like it. The owner is wondering about a value on it. There are no Deluxe versions in the "Redbook" to go by. Can you venture a guess please. Especially since the sight "may" be factory. There is no way this guy is ever going to sell this rifle.
Thanks
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
In my opinion, it is worth a lot of [color=green:ef1d2a384a]$$$$$[/color:ef1d2a384a] to the right collector… exactly how much is difficult to say, but if it were mine, I would not let it go for less than $12K.
Winchester never officially offered a "Fancy" or "Deluxe" version of the Model 55, but they did list all of the special order options that are on that rifle.
I am nearly ready to send my article on the Model 55 to Rob Kassab for publication in the WACA magazine, and in the article, I listed all of the special order options that were available in the 1925 catalog. As a mini preview of that article, I have cut & pasted that information below;
"[color=darkblue:ef1d2a384a]Throughout its production, a very sizeable number of special order options were available for the Model 55. The following is the list of the special order items and features that were offered in the 1925 catalog;
Pistol grip stocks.
Rifle butt stocks.
Checked stocks and forearms.
Fancy walnut stocks and forearms, oil or polished finish.
Butt stocks of special shape, involving change in length or drop from standard.
Engraving, additional, according to style and quality.
Full Nickel Plating.
Nickel Plated Trimmings.
Silver Plated Trimmings.
Gold Plated Trimmings.
Telescope Sight Mounting Bases.
Swiss Butt Plate.
Cheek Piece on Fancy Stock.
Leaving off Rear Sight Slot, or changing position of Rear Sight.
Blank Piece to fill Rear Sight Slot.
Sling Strap, Leather, with or without Screw Eyes, Swivel Hooks, and Button.
Sling Straps, N.R.A. Style.
Attaching Screw Eyes for Sling Strap.
Winchester Recoil Pad fitted to Rifles with Shotgun Butt Stocks.
Silver’s Recoil Pad fitted to Rifles with Shotgun Butt Stocks.
Jostam Anti-Flinch Recoil Pad fitted to Rifles with Shotgun Butt Stocks.
Sling Strap, Web, Adjustable.[/color:ef1d2a384a]"
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
I had guessed at least $10K but I sure didn’t have anything to base it on.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
That is a very gorgeous and rare Model 55. I had no idea a fellow could order them like that.
I had heard that the Model 55 could be ordered with lots of opitions but this is the first one I have seen that had opitions.
Seems to me that I remember reading that a number of Model 55 rifles had longer than standard length barrels.Some up to 32 inches.
28 gauge said
Seems to me that I remember reading that a number of Model 55 rifles had longer than standard length barrels.Some up to 32 inches.
Wherever it was that you read that piece of information, it was not correct. Winchester manufactured just one barrel length (24-inches) for the Model 55 during its 6-1/2 year production run. No other barrel lengths could be ordered or were made. I have surveyed and seen (handled) a substantial number of Model 55s in my research, and none of them were non-standard length. The Model 1894(94) Sporting Rifle could be ordered with non-standard barrel lengths up to the year 1937.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
28 gauge said
Seems to me that I remember reading that a number of Model 55 rifles had longer than standard length barrels.Some up to 32 inches.
Wherever it was that you read that piece of information, it was not correct. Winchester manufactured just one barrel length (24-inches) for the Model 55 during its 6-1/2 year production run. No other barrel lengths could be ordered or were made. I have surveyed and seen (handled) a substantial number of Model 55s in my research, and none of them were non-standard length. The Model 1894(94) Sporting Rifle could be ordered with non-standard barrel lengths up to the year 1937.
Bert
Thanks for the information,Bert H.
I found where I had read about the longer barrels on the Model 55 Winchester.It was in a couple of articles in The Winchester Collector by Harold A. McCullum,WACA Life member#8.
In the articles he states he had been studding Model 55 Winchesters for twenty years.In the serial numbers he had recorded at the time the articles were published,in the 1988-89 time frame,he states the following Model 55 rifles had longer than normal barrels.
49 27 inch
2419 26 inch
4170 26 inch
6097 26 inch
6512 26 inch
9347 28 inch
1033052 28 inch
1039579 29 inch
1074076 31 inch
1076302 31 inch
1078886 31 inch
1082886 32 inch
1084335 32 inch
1094441 32 inch
1039579 29 inch
Perhaps there are some on the boards that have one of these Winchester Model 55 rifles and can verify these numbers.
Based on these s/n, the model 55 was made from 1924 till 1934.
I had posted a question about the model 55 once before but got no responce. That question was, on my model 55, s/n 3524, ( 1926 ) the barrel actually measuered 24 1/4". Was this normal and they just refered to the rifle as having a 24" barrel?
Paul
28 gauge said
I had heard that the Model 55 could be ordered with lots of opitions but this is the first one I have seen that had opitions.Seems to me that I remember reading that a number of Model 55 rifles had longer than standard length barrels.Some up to 32 inches.
I seem to remember Matt74 with a very nice deluxe 55 with lots of options 
This one also was listed (Auction House) with 24 1/4" barrel
http://www.winchestercollector.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=32276&highlight=#32276
28 gauge said
I had heard that the Model 55 could be ordered with lots of opitions but this is the first one I have seen that had opitions.Seems to me that I remember reading that a number of Model 55 rifles had longer than standard length barrels.Some up to 32 inches.
I seem to remember Matt74 with a very nice deluxe 55 with lots of options This one also was listed (Auction House) with 24 1/4" barrel
http://www.winchestercollector.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=32276&highlight=#32276
Sure Brian, had to bring that up eh? Lol
I also had this one, real nice semi deluxe, s/n 3763.
http://s158.photobucket.com/user/MBCAPELL/media/IMG_0837_zpse2c0247e.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s158.photobucket.com/user/MBCAPELL/media/IMG_0842_zps4ec1131f.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s158.photobucket.com/user/MBCAPELL/media/IMG_0864_zps5ca7275a.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
But, when we decided to put down 20% on the new house, "priorities" all of a sudden came into my life. Sigh.
Matt
28 gauge said
I found where I had read about the longer barrels on the Model 55 Winchester.It was in a couple of articles in The Winchester Collector by Harold A. McCullum,WACA Life member#8.In the articles he states he had been studding Model 55 Winchesters for twenty years.In the serial numbers he had recorded at the time the articles were published,in the 1988-89 time frame,he states the following Model 55 rifles had longer than normal barrels.
49 27 inch
2419 26 inch
4170 26 inch
6097 26 inch
6512 26 inch
9347 28 inch
1033052 28 inch
1039579 29 inch
1074076 31 inch
1076302 31 inch
1078886 31 inch
1082886 32 inch
1084335 32 inch
1094441 32 inch
1039579 29 inchPerhaps there are some on the boards that have one of these Winchester Model 55 rifles and can verify these numbers.
The numbers listed by Harold were not barrel lengths… instead they are the 2-digit year number (date) found on the barrel. I have a copy of that same article, and I added the rifles he surveyed to my own survey.
In the intervening time since I wrote my article, I have added several hundred additional serial numbers, and I have confirmed that at least one Model 55 rifle was manufactured with a non-standard barrel length (20-inch).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
94shorties said
Based on these s/n, the model 55 was made from 1924 till 1934.I had posted a question about the model 55 once before but got no responce. That question was, on my model 55, s/n 3524, ( 1926 ) the barrel actually measuered 24 1/4". Was this normal and they just refered to the rifle as having a 24" barrel?
Paul
Paul,
I am not sure how I missed you post the first time, as I definitely would have posted an answer for you had I seen it 😕
Yes, the 24-1/4" length was normal, and was common on a number of other Models that were listed with a 24-inch length (the Model 1890 and 1885 Single Shot rifles).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Currently, I have (600) serial numbers surveyed, and of that number, I have (70) with verified barrel dates. I am planing to write a short article about the rifle with the factory 20-inch barrel, and at the same time, provide an updated production extrapolation table based on current survey results. I am still looking for more rifles to add to the survey.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
28 gauge said
I found where I had read about the longer barrels on the Model 55 Winchester.It was in a couple of articles in The Winchester Collector by Harold A. McCullum,WACA Life member#8.In the articles he states he had been studding Model 55 Winchesters for twenty years.In the serial numbers he had recorded at the time the articles were published,in the 1988-89 time frame,he states the following Model 55 rifles had longer than normal barrels.
49 27 inch
2419 26 inch
4170 26 inch
6097 26 inch
6512 26 inch
9347 28 inch
1033052 28 inch
1039579 29 inch
1074076 31 inch
1076302 31 inch
1078886 31 inch
1082886 32 inch
1084335 32 inch
1094441 32 inch
1039579 29 inchPerhaps there are some on the boards that have one of these Winchester Model 55 rifles and can verify these numbers.
The numbers listed by Harold were not barrel lengths… instead they are the 2-digit year number (date) found on the barrel. I have a copy of that same article, and added the rifles he surveyed to my own survey.
In the intervening time since I wrote my article, I have added several hundred additional serial numbers, and I have confirmed that at least one Model 55 rifle was manufactured with a non-standard barrel length (20-inch).
Bert
You sir are 100% correct.I mistook the "bbl 26" for the barrel length when it was the barrel date.
Interesting that you have since found a Model 55 with a shorter barrel.It seems one can never say for sure that Winchester never did something.I have seen things like this happen many times over the years. 🙂
Bert: In following along I am a little confused. On Tuesday you made the
statement that no Model 55’s were manufactured with a non-standard barrel
length of 24 inches period! Then Wednesday it seems you have discovered
a confirmed Model 55 with a 20 inch barrel? That is quite a shift in facts in
a short time. Do you think this newly discovered rifle is legit? or do you still
stand behind your first statement that no non standard length of 24 inch
barrels exist?
Hey Bert,
You may not recall, but back in Spring 2012 I sent you pics of what certainly appeared to be a 22" Model 55 a fellow in British Columbia had. I / we could not get a hands on but I did flip you the pics with the barrel laid out by a tape measure, etc, and you said in your opinion, the 22-inch barrel looked like it was original. We may never know with 100% certainty, but I’m pretty certain there is at least this one 22" out there as well. I had almost forgotten about that one, but was able to find the old email and photos this morning.
Matt
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