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A few photos. I’ll see about getting them downloaded to my computer to show here, they’re still on my phone, except the few at this link:
Go to AR15.com, then the Armory, then the Lever Action Rifles forum to see the photos.
The site won’t let me add a link, I suppose I need to get a formal membership.
Serial number is 1073XXX, so that makes it a 1929 manufacture rifle. I forgot to take a photo of the butt plate, but it’s unremarkable as the edges were ground poorly in an attempt to fit the cut down stock.
July 31, 2017
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Hello everyone, Here is a model 55 I bought when I was a young man. I thought the gun was cool. I had ask the forum if they ever made Deluxe model 55 rifles and Bert explained that they did not offer deluxe 55s but you could order special options. To be classified as a semi-deluxe or deluxe the stock would haft to have a pistol grip. So someone went to great expense to have a xxx fancy straight grip stock put on this rifle. Even though it’s not original it sure is cool. Any thoughts on the set triggers originality?
April 15, 2005
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Lee L said
A few photos. I’ll see about getting them downloaded to my computer to show here, they’re still on my phone, except the few at this link:Go to AR15.com, then the Armory, then the Lever Action Rifles forum to see the photos.
The site won’t let me add a link, I suppose I need to get a formal membership.
Serial number is 1073XXX, so that makes it a 1929 manufacture rifle. I forgot to take a photo of the butt plate, but it’s unremarkable as the edges were ground poorly in an attempt to fit the cut down stock.
Please send the pictures of your Model 55 rifle to me at [email protected] and include the complete serial number. Serial number 1073000 was manufactured in mid February 1931, which means that your Model 55 was manufactured after that date. Is your M55 rifle a Take Down, or a Solid Frame? Winchester began the transition from Take Down receivers to Solid frame receivers in early 1931, with an intermix of both types through early March of that year.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
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Deluxe 76 said
Your Model 55 Rifle appears to be factory original in all respects, and you are correct in that someone went to great expense to special order it as it is today. Based on the configuration of your rifle, it can be classified as a “Fancy” Sporting Rifle, with a special order straight grip butt stock.
Have you ever taken the butt stock off of the receiver frame, or removed the Swiss butt plate? If you are so inclined, carefully remove the butt plate and the butt stock. You should find a matching assembly number marked on the under side of the Swiss butt plate and on the end grain of the butt stock. You should also find a matching assembly number marked on the left side of the lower tang and possibly on the butt stock in the inletted area for the upper tang.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 31, 2017
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Bert, Thank you for your input. In the near future I’ll attempt to disassemble the gun and see what info I may find.
Gerald
April 15, 2005
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Deluxe 76 said
Bert, Thank you for your input. In the near future I’ll attempt to disassemble the gun and see what info I may find.Gerald
Please take pictures of what you find and forward them to me.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a model 55 in 25 35 cal serial number 7098 missing the stock what stock can I get to fit it . It is a takedown
April 15, 2005
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Are you are referring to the butt stock, or are you asking about the forend stock?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I inherited the gun from family awhile back and haven’t been able to find a but stock that’s all it needs to be in working order
April 15, 2005
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If you are only interested in getting it back to working order, a Model 1894 or a pre 1948 Model 94 butt stock (rifle or carbine) will work just fine. If it were me, I would find a Model 1894 rifle butt stock.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a Model 55 with 4 digit serial number. I am looking for a replacement recoil pad. Any help?
April 15, 2005
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[email protected] said
I have a Model 55 with 4 digit serial number. I am looking for a replacement recoil pad. Any help?
The Winchester Model 55 was not manufactured with a “recoil pad”. Instead, they were equipped with a serrated steel butt plate. What is the serial number and caliber?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 1, 2005
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Bert H. said
Your Model 55 Rifle appears to be factory original in all respects, and you are correct in that someone went to great expense to special order it as it is today. Based on the configuration of your rifle, it can be classified as a “Fancy” Sporting Rifle, with a special order straight grip butt stock.
Have you ever taken the butt stock off of the receiver frame, or removed the Swiss butt plate? If you are so inclined, carefully remove the butt plate and the butt stock. You should find a matching assembly number marked on the under side of the Swiss butt plate and on the end grain of the butt stock. You should also find a matching assembly number marked on the left side of the lower tang and possibly on the butt stock in the inletted area for the upper tang.
Bert
Bert – you probably saw the post I put in the Forum indicating Gerald had passed away. This is one heck of a Model 55 and I have never seen one with a Swiss butt or DST’s. Do you remember if Gerald ever took the gun apart and got you some photos or feedback on assembly numbers he may have found. Gerald had some nice guns including matted barrel 86’s and 94’s. I wonder if his guns ended up in an auction or if they are just tucked away with the family – he told me the only family member with any interest was the son-in law who died before Gerald.
April 15, 2005
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Burt,
I do not remember if he sent the additional pictures or not, It is still the only Model 55 rifle with a Swiss butt plate, and just 1 of 2 with a set trigger.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 7, 2023
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Hi,
Thanks for having me. I got it from a friend some time ago, and I was curious about obtaining any information, seems like a plain Jane shooter, rear sight plugged and replace by a William sight. Mostly stainless, and some bad rust on the rear buttplate.
The serial number is 11161
Here are some pics!!!!
April 15, 2005
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pascal doyon said
Hi,Thanks for having me. I got it from a friend some time ago, and I was curious about obtaining any information, seems like a plain Jane shooter, rear sight plugged and replace by a William sight. Mostly stainless, and some bad rust on the rear buttplate.
The serial number is 11161
Here are some pics!!!!
Which caliber is it? Is the barrel marked “NICKEL STEEL” or “STAINLESS STEEL” ?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 7, 2023
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Good evening,
So sorry!
Stainless Steel and 30 WCF
April 15, 2005
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pascal doyon said
Good evening,So sorry!
Stainless Steel and 30 WCF
Per the original factory records the date of manufacture for your Model 55 rifle was December 22, 1927.
Your Model 55 rifle is (1) of just (31) that I have documented thus far with a special order STAINLESS STEEL alloy barrel. My current extrapolated estimate indicates that approximately (450) Model 55 Rifles were manufactured with a Stainless Steel barrel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
