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My wife inherited a Model 43, sn30575a, 22 Hornet, Standard. It has a weaver scope. Based upon reading this forum and date site, appears to have been manufactured in 1950 (what month?) and the scope mount is not factory (correct?). Any additional info you could provide would be appreciated.
It appears to be a nice rifle and needs a good cleaning. I have found a schematic and wonder if there is any info available for dis and reassembly on line (or elsewhere)?
Thanks in advance….
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Hello Bradley,
Your Model 43 was manufactured in late August, 1950. Winchester did not begin drilling & tapping them for mounting a scoped until October of 1950.
The Model 43 is a very simplistic design, and does not require much disassembly to properly clean. If you take the barreled action out of the stock, everything you will need to access to clean it will be right in front of you.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hey Guys, New to the forum. I have a Model 43 in 25-20 with a 3 digit serial. (66*) I’m assuming it’s first year production but sometimes first year production could have started in December. Any help would be great. I haven’t been here long so not sure if you guys give approx values but I would estimate to be in VG 98% condition. with nice wood all matching. Thanks for help
[email protected] said
Hey Guys, New to the forum. I have a Model 43 in 25-20 with a 3 digit serial. (66*) I’m assuming it’s first year production but sometimes first year production could have started in December. Any help would be great. I haven’t been here long so not sure if you guys give approx values but I would estimate to be in VG 98% condition. with nice wood all matching. Thanks for help
What is the last digit on the serial number? Production of the Model 43 began on May 19th, 1948. A serial number in the 600 – 699 range puts its production in June of 1948.
Is it a Standard or a Special Model 43 rifle? Is it 100% factory original (not drilled & tapped for a scope)? Some pictures of the rifle would be of benefit.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hey Bert, Thanks so much, it’s not tapped like I said 98% ish. It’s in really nice shape it’s serial is 667 and as far as I know it’s standard model. Thanks so much for the response I’ll post pics tomorrow.
[email protected] said
Hey Bert, Thanks so much, it’s not tapped like I said 98% ish. It’s in really nice shape it’s serial is 667 and as far as I know it’s standard model. Thanks so much for the response I’ll post pics tomorrow.
The DOM was 6/23/148. It fit right in between two other identical rifles to yours (S/Ns 662 & 682) that I have documented in the survey. Thus far, I have a total of (67) Model 43 rifles verified in the 25-20 Win. cartridge. Only the 32-20 is less common (at just (61) verified thus far).
I will look forward to seeing the pictures of it.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hey Bert,
First of all I gave you the wrong on the serial, It’s been a few years since I took her out of the safe it’s actually 668…sorry about that I don’t want to mess with your data.
I’m trying to post pics but my Imgur links aren’t working with your insert image button not sure what I’m doing wrong. I don’t mind emailing them if you have an email address
Cheers,
Julian
I recently inherited some rifles from my grandfather. Among them is a Winchester Model 43, standard model, swept bolt lever, chambered in .218 BEE, with a Weaver scope mounted on it. The serial number is 29150A.
It has been locked up in his gun safe for decades and appears to be in extremely nice condition.
I’m hoping that someone can help me with a few things…
First, I would like to disassemble the rifle and give it a thorough cleaning, inspection, and lubrication. I’ve conducted high-level maintenance on an immense amount of rifles, but I have no experience with this one at all. I’m certain I can figure it out… but, before I get to disassembling it, I’d really like to have a look at the owner’s manual. Does anyone know where I can find one?
Second, once I’ve gone through it and can be certain of the condition, I need to figure out what I want to do with it. Some of his rifles I intend to keep and some I intend to sell. I’ve already got a couple good varmint rifles, so I’m not sure about this one. What can you tell me about the Model 43 in .218 Bee? Is this a desirable/sought after rifle?
I’d also like to get an idea of the value of the rifle; but I’ll hold off on that question until I’ve gone through it and can produce some quality photos and an evaluation of its condition.
Thanks in advance. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Hello Scott,
Your Model 43 rifle was manufactured in July, 1950. At that time, Winchester did not drill & tap the receiver for mounting a scope, which means that your grandfather had it altered aftermarket.
The Model 43 has a very simplistic action, and it is very easy to disassemble to clean. I believe that Numrich has diagrams/schematics for the Model 43, but I sincerely doubt that you will need them.
The non-factory original holes drilled & tapped for the scope mounts negatively affect the desirability and collector value.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you very much Bert!
I really appreciate your help. I saw as I was browsing the site that you were looking for data on Model 43s for a research project. If you are still working on it and there is anything I can provide, regarding this rifle, please let me know. I’m happy to help in any way I can.
-Scott
Hello Group and thanks to Bert for all of the information!! A great read here and thought you needed a new data point and to bump this up since the last post was April of 22.
So Inherited a nice Model 43 in 218 Bee along with others but this one has peeked my interest more than others, so a few notes after reading this.
Is a special with high gloss & checkering, did not see any others listed, is an early gun prior to most changes in 1950. Receiver behind bolt is square cut not angled, has the swept bolt, & serial # is 20078A. it has been drilled for a Weaver N2 side mount & has a C4 scope mounted to it. Front sight is missing the hood as it looks to have been removed to get it out of the view thru the scope. Looking for what information I can find and possibly find other “vintage” scope options I may have and possibly other front hoods that may have been used that will fit the 43.
Looking forward to getting it home and trying it out, Bert I saw your email address and am sending you pics.
Best Regards
Pictures received and reply sent.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
My grandfather’s Model 43 .22 Hornet, s/n 32664A was passed down to me awhile back.
It’s seen better days and as a boy I recall a Weaver 4x scope that’s now missing. It was the first gun I shot as a boy and probably has more sentimental value as a family heirloom to me than monetary. My goal is to replace the few missing hardware pieces and eventually do a little plinking.
Was this rifle originally drilled at the factory for the scope mounts? If yes then I’d contemplate a refurbished Weaver K4 to be period correct. But if not I would go with newer optics like a Leupold 3×9, I’m not the boy who first shot this rifle 40+ years ago.
Sean said
My grandfather’s Model 43 .22 Hornet, s/n 32664A was passed down to me awhile back.It’s seen better days and as a boy I recall a Weaver 4x scope that’s now missing. It was the first gun I shot as a boy and probably has more sentimental value as a family heirloom to me than monetary. My goal is to replace the few missing hardware pieces and eventually do a little plinking.
Was this rifle originally drilled at the factory for the scope mounts? If yes then I’d contemplate a refurbished Weaver K4 to be period correct. But if not I would go with newer optics like a Leupold 3×9, I’m not the boy who first shot this rifle 40+ years ago.
Hello Sean,
Your Model 43 was manufactured in October 1950, and that is when Winchester first began drilling & tapping the receiver frame rings for mounting a scope. Can you post (or send me) a picture showing the top of the receiver and the D&T holes?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
This has been one amazing thread…
Other than my GREAT GREAT Grandfathers Winchester 30/30 (and his original saddle scabbard stamped 1882) I have not owned another Winchester until today…
Just today, I was lucky enough to be the winning bidder on a Model 43 in .22 Hornet this afternoon.
Bert, you now have me highly intrigued and I would consider it a privilege if you could provide similar info here.?
The Serial number is 45672A – I do not yet have the gun in-hand but have pictures, which I can’t post here. From reading this thread, I see the rifle is equipped with the swept bolt and a plain (no checkering) wood stock (pretty though!).
Regardless, I am super excited about this purchase.
Bert, if you follow NW Sportsman Magazine (It appears we live just across the water from one another in Wa.) and their Social Media platforms in Washington State, you might have seen the auction advertised there as a Private Owner Collection from James G Murphy Auctions. I ended up walking away with three rifles today! Unfortunately, I missed out on a couple of the ones I really wanted (Ruger M77 .220 Swift) And a few Winchester Lever Guns in .38/.357/.45 Colt etc 
Though I have plenty of varmint rifles hanging around (.204 Ruger Thomson Single Bull, .223 Remington AR Bushmaster, .22-250 Ruger M77 Bull.) I have longed to own the .22 Hornet..
When I was a small boy, my Grandpa shook me awake early one Saturday morning on a weekend I was staying with them. We went to breakfast at the local truck-stop and headed up the hill to eradicate some pests from the hay fields.. Back then, we called them “Digger Squirrels”. Similar to a Silver Grey Squirrel, but lived in the ground. Grandpa put me behind the Winchester 43 and I swear I couldn’t miss. It is one of the greatest memories I have of my Grandfather and the only time I can recall when it was just him and I, out shooting!
Now that it is clear I am pathetically sentimental, and talk too much, I should get to the point!
From what I have read here, I don’t think there will be anything unique about this particular rifle? That is important to me due to my plans to restore it back to like-new, but modified from it’s original design and condition. I am setting up my new Hot-Bluing system (something I have wanted to complete for 30 Years) and this should be project number 1!! That being said, I don’t want to restore the rifle if it does some crazy thing to the value! All because for once in my life, luck was on my side and I happened to end-up with the “ONE” every collector is looking for! Okay, we both know that is not going to happen! But its the same type of hope when I purchase a Power-Ball ticket…
I guess you could say, if it’s not going to matter, I would like to make a custom shooter out of this.. Once I modify the stock with a slight palm-swell and taper the forearm, I do plan to checker both palm and forearm. I would assume that bedding the action and barrel would be worthless in this case, but I might do it for fun and practice?
Nonetheless, this was a super cool thread, Bert! Thanks so much for allowing us to glean experience from your in-depth knowledge and wisdom.. It is super awesome when someone like you takes the time to educate! Just because of this thread, and the time you have taken to answer everyone’s questions, I became a Member of WACA today!! Though I did stumble across the thread on a Google search, I did reference you Bert as the referring Member.
I can’t wait to go review the prior work and write-ups you have done previously on the Model 43.
I am now super inquisitive!
The best to all of you!!
Rich
The best to you always,
Rich
Hello Rich,
I am currently dealing with a case of Covid-19, but would enjoy chatting with you after I get over this CRUD!
The S/N on your Model 43 tells us that it was manufactured August 11th, 1951.
If you can, please send clear detailed pictures of the rifle to me at – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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