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January 26, 2011
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#7391
32 WCF
Solid frame
Type 6
~Gary~
March 20, 2009
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To all,
Thanks for your help and enthusiasm in helping us with the data collection for these surveys. It would be extremely difficult to do meaningful work without your assistance. I just crossed over the 3,000 rifle mark for my effort on the 1892/92 rifles. Please keep them coming if you have not yet done so.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
February 25, 2012
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Just picked up a takedown, SN 2847, 44 WCF with Type 6 tang markings…super nice original gun…..
June 11, 2014
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winchesterbob said
Just picked up a takedown, SN 2847, 44 WCF with Type 6 tang markings…super nice original gun…..
Very nice find. That is a new one for the database, and in the rarest caliber too!
April 15, 2005
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Kirk,
Check your email… I found six Model 53 rifles at the Big Reno show this past weekend.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 10, 2012
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Hi Win, I have a model 53. Serial # 4189,solid frame,25-20, straight grip with a 22" barrel.
December 31, 2012
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#6126 44WCF. From my bro in law. Big Larry
June 11, 2014
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Excellent! Thanks gentlemen.
Big Larry, do you know if it is a take down or solid frame?
December 31, 2012
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Solid, and I have sent to my bro in law for tang pics. He just bought this beautiful 98%+ rifle. They ain’t cheap!!! Thanks, Big Larry
June 11, 2014
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Big Larry said
Solid, and I have sent to my bro in law for tang pics. He just bought this beautiful 98%+ rifle. They ain’t cheap!!! Thanks, Big Larry
No they are not, especially in 44 WCF.
December 31, 2012
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Type 6 tang markings. The M53 cost him $4,500. Is that about right? Thanks, Big Larry
June 11, 2014
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For a 98% Model 53 in 44 WCF, that is a reasonable sum to pay. Right now, a lot of people do not realize how rare the Model 53 is in original, high condition. The result is that actual selling prices are highly variable, so it is difficult to come up with a standard market value. In my survey of Model 53’s and even for a couple years before that when I was searching for Model 53’s, I have not yet seen a 98% 44 WCF. I have also seen one or two high condition 53’s go at auction for more than $4,500. I posted that info a year or so back. If I recall correctly (don’t bet on it), one high condition 53 went for over $6,000 and if I recall correctly, it was not even a 44 WCF. I hope to publish a couple articles on the Model 53 in the next year or so, which may wake up more people to the rarity and appeal of the Model 53. Personally, the thought of a 98% Model 53 in 44 WCF has me envious. I recently sold a high condition 53 in 32 WCF. The barrel was an easy 98%, the wood finish a 95%, but it had flaking on the receiver with only 60 to 70% intact blue (98% on the carry point under the receiver, showing this rifle had scarcely been handled). It sold for $2850. A 44 WCF in 98% would be worth a fair sum more. My database shows that only about 14% Model 53’s were chambered in 44 WCF.
December 31, 2012
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Thanks for all the info. Couple years ago, I passed on a 95%+ M53 in 32-20 at the Las Vegas gun show. It had the rare stainless steel bbl. with 100% of the original japanned finish too. Seems to me it was about $2,500 and I had enough to buy it and I didn’t, as I was looking for a decent standard M1892 oct. bbl. rifle in 44-40. Two of these at the show. One was a 100% mint,(faked), $10,000 rifle, (we called Winchester to find out it was shipped as a 32-20,) and a 95% rifle with a rough bore for $9500. I just do not buy bad bores no matter what. I also found a average M53 in 44 that just did not look right. I went home with all my $$$$. A couple years later I bought a "high condition" 1913 M1892 oct. rifle in 44 off Gun Broker for $2,500, a rifle worth maybe twice that. Got lucky. Thanks again for all the info. It would seem I am into M1894’s now. Big Larry
January 26, 2011
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Kirk,
I just picked up a nice first year 53 today for my collection. Here’s the info on it. Hopefully its one you don’t already have.
S/N 550
25-20
TD
Lyman 1A tang sight and rear dovetail blank, I’m guessing this was added later.
Otherwise standard features, also I pulled the fore end stock in hopes of grabbing the barrel date. I do not see one on this rifle. It has the caliber, several inspectors stamps, and the Midvale Nickel Steel abbreviation………..but no two digit barrel date. When exactly did they start stamping the barrel dates, was it in the early ’20’s and this one just didn’t get one?
~Gary~
April 16, 2011
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Hi Kirk found these Model 53’s in Australia regards Dallas
#9246 32WCF
http://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=16582
# 4153 32WCF
http://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=22906
# 999815 32WCF
June 11, 2014
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Thank you very much for that information. It is much appreciated. Incidentally, serial number 999815 is the last known surviving Model 53. It was serialized during the first half of March, 1932, using a 32 WCF barrel machined in 1928. I believe that early March saw a parts cleanup, final production of Model 53’s using the remaining barrels. I am not yet sure if the crescent buttstock means that they had used up the remaining Model 53 fluted buttstocks as the final barrels were assembled into rifles, or if it is a replacement. I am corresponding with the owner.
January 26, 2011
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Kirk,
Any input on my barrel date question above?
~Gary~
June 11, 2014
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Gary, for some reason I totally missed your earlier post. My apologies.
I have a barrel date as early as serial number 388, which was only two months after production began, so I’m thinking your barrel somehow got missed when it came time to stamp the barrel date. Serial number 550 was serialized August 25th, 1924. It is definitely a first year rifle. I don’t know when Winchester started stamping barrel dates, but yours is the first one to surface that has no barrel date.
Thanks for that info. It is much appreciated.
