Model 43 date of manufacture|Page 4|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

James Briggs said
My Dad passed away a couple years ago. I was blessed to spend a lot of with my dad hunting and shooting. One of his rifles is a Winchester model 43 in .22 hornet SN 43028A with a Weaver 96.  Any information about this rifle would interest me greatly.  

  

Hello James,

Your Model 43 was manufactured in May 1951.  Does it have a checkered stock with a capped pistol grip, or is a plain stock with no cap?  Based on the serial number, it was the receiver frame rings were factory drilled & tapped for scope blocks.  Winchester never drilled & tapped the barrel for mounting a scope.

If you can provide pictures of the rifle, please send them to me at – [email protected]

If you send me an email with pictures, I can send you a copy of the article that I wrote discussing the Model 43 rifles.

Bert

Philip Hess said
I have a Model 43 chambered in 218 Bee serial# 4149.  It is drilled and tapped, and based on Bert’s info it was not done by the factory.  Would be interested to know when it was made.  Thanks. Phil

Phil,

Your rifle was manufactured in mid October 1948.  Does it have a straight bolt or a swept bolt (see the attached pictures) ?

Bert

Philip Hess said
It has a swept bolt. 

  

Thanks for the confirmation.

clayboy702003 said
I just acquired a Winchester model 43 serial number 12633 can you please give me some information as to the year of this guns manufacture.  Also I heard some later years the action was made stronger because of head spacing issues in the early years is that correct? Thank you for any information you can possibly give me. 
  

Your Model 43 was manufactured in June 1949.

Yes, the bolt locking lug and the receiver frame were modified in December 1949 to increase the locking surface & strength of the action.  The transition took place at serial number 16738.  I recently wrote & published a detailed article discussing the Model 43 and they change made to the locking lug on the bolt.  If you contact me via email, I can send you an e-copy of that article.

Bert – [email protected]