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A friend of mine contacted me a while back about this gun. His friend who was a “gun show guy” had passed away unexpectedly last Fall, and his wife is selling the guns. I declined at first because the price was a little high, and it had apparently been refinished some years ago. I understand this caliber in the 53 is rare, but again, even though the work looks pretty good, it’s not original. He again contacted me yesterday and said that she asked if I would pay $500.00 for the gun. I haven’t looked at the bore, and she’s about 1 1/2 hours away. I’ve attached the only pictures that I have. Just looking for opinions and observations. Worth the drive and the $500 bucks if the bore is decent?
I think you’re right on the re finish but it looks like a nice job done to me. I’d definitely be in it for $500….start the car!
As much as I despise anything refinished, a .44-40 rifle with a decent refinish should be worth at least $500.
Certainly worth it if you can live with a refinish in general.
Also, nice signature line photo- great taste in lever guns!
The serial number indicates that it is a 1930 production gun. I would expect it to have a very good bore. Accordingly, the $500 price tag is very reasonable.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a M53 in 44-40. It has the typical receiver flaking, but a great bore and the rest of the rifle is pretty nice. Mine is #507 and I paid a bunch of $$$ for it, much more than $500. Any M53 in 44-40 is a collectors prize. I have never seen a M53 with a bad bore. The 44’s seem to have very shallow rifleing. The blue looks nice and at $500, I doubt you can go wrong. My BIL bought a minty M53 for over $4,000 and was really let down when Larry Shennum, Berts old partner, told him the rifle had been reblued. This is a common occurrence as all were made with the old bluing type and the receivers sometimes flaked badly. Buy the rifle. They are extremely accurate. Big Larry
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