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A bit of a mystery here… I inherited a Model 65 218 Bee and have not been able to establish a date of manufacture. Winchester Arms Customer Service and the Museum in Cody referred me to the collectors association and I am hopeful that someone can provide some help. The model number stamped on the receiver is 7810. The stamp is strong and there are no numbers before or after that are worn. Despite its apparent age, the rifle is in beautiful condition. Any insight would be greatly appreciated
Online
Hello Cal,
I suspect that you have a Model 53 receiver frame that has been rebarreled using a Model 65 218 Bee barrel. There are several visual clues that can help solve the mystery, but I will need to see several clear pictures of the rifle. Take pictures showing the factory marking on the upper tang (behind the hammer), the butt stock and butt plate, and the serial number. You can send the pictures to my email address – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I thought the exact same thing, Bert. Hell, I might’ve learned something in the last 2 years! 
Jeremy P said
I thought the exact same thing, Bert. Hell, I might’ve learned something in the last 2 years!
That is a good thing… I would hate to believe that all of my efforts have been for naught!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
Jeremy P said
I thought the exact same thing, Bert. Hell, I might’ve learned something in the last 2 years!
That is a good thing… I would hate to believe that all of my efforts have been for naught!
Bert-
I know I’ve been a disappointment to you but I appreciate your patience and persistence. 😉 All kidding aside what is it about the 218 Bee? Why wasn’t the 65 chambered in 38 or 44WCF?
Mike
TXGunNut said
Bert H. said
Jeremy P said
I thought the exact same thing, Bert. Hell, I might’ve learned something in the last 2 years!
That is a good thing… I would hate to believe that all of my efforts have been for naught!
Bert-
I know I’ve been a disappointment to you but I appreciate your patience and persistence. 😉 All kidding aside what is it about the 218 Bee? Why wasn’t the 65 chambered in 38 or 44WCF?
Mike
By the time (1933) when the Model 65 was introduced, almost nobody was hunting any game animals with the 44 & 38 WCF cartridges… the 30 WCF, 32 W.S., 270 WCF, and 30-06 were the cartridges of choice for the vast majority of the hunting public. For those that wanted to hunt smaller game/varmints, the 218 Bee, 22 Hornet, 25-20 WCF, and 32 WCF were more than adequate.
p.s. I will bring a big stick with me to Cody to whack some sense into you 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Caution there, almost sounds KINKY! There may be children watching! 
!!! RDB
tim tomlinson said
Bert and Mike, may I watch?!Tim
Only if you buy a ticket first!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
rogertherelic said
Caution there, almost sounds KINKY! There may be children watching!
Roger,
It is apparent you have not attended a Cody WACA show in recent years… nothing but us “Old Pharts” present.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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tim tomlinson said
Bert and Mike, may I watch?!Tim
Tim-
Only if you swipe his big stick, I don’t heal up as quickly as I used to. And Bert, you may have noticed we do have a few younger members joining our ranks and with a little luck they’ll carry on our hobby while we’re jousting with walkers.
Mike
Bert, Mike and other interested parties! I may swipe the stick if it will act as a walking stick! And I am tight enough I won’t pay for a ticket! Tim
November 7, 2015
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Jeremy P said
“Mommy-Daddy, stop fighting!”
That’s gonna cost you, Jeremy. I’ve been telling Bert you were a good guy and an excited young collector, now I’ll have to tell him I was obviously mistaken. Bert is too old and worn out to do anything but growl a little anyhow. My license to administer needed butt-whippings has expired and quite honestly that type of activity no longer interests me.
You coming down to Waco next weekend? We’re having something called the “Parade of Brass” featuring Henry’s, 1866’s and maybe a Volcanic or two. If you ever patronized T&Sons in Denton you’ll see a familiar face behind my table.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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tim tomlinson said
Bert, Mike and other interested parties! I may swipe the stick if it will act as a walking stick! And I am tight enough I won’t pay for a ticket! Tim
Won’t need a ticket, Tim. We might need a referee, tho. Looking forward to seeing what you’re bringing to Cody.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Jeremy P said
“Mommy-Daddy, stop fighting!”
That’s gonna cost you, Jeremy. I’ve been telling Bert you were a good guy and an excited young collector, now I’ll have to tell him I was obviously mistaken. Bert is too old and worn out to do anything but growl a little anyhow.
Mike
Growl? I prefer to snap & snarl !!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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What are your plans for this rifle, Cal? Are you going to shoot it? Any experience with the 218 Bee?
Mike
TXGunNut said
Jeremy P said
“Mommy-Daddy, stop fighting!”
That’s gonna cost you, Jeremy. I’ve been telling Bert you were a good guy and an excited young collector, now I’ll have to tell him I was obviously mistaken. Bert is too old and worn out to do anything but growl a little anyhow. My license to administer needed butt-whippings has expired and quite honestly that type of activity no longer interests me.
You coming down to Waco next weekend? We’re having something called the “Parade of Brass” featuring Henry’s, 1866’s and maybe a Volcanic or two. If you ever patronized T&Sons in Denton you’ll see a familiar face behind my table.
Mike
Well, thanks for the “young” descriptor, I probably owe you a lunch for that.
I am day tripping down on Saturday for the Waco show, I’ll see you there!
November 7, 2015
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Jeremy-
“Young” is a relative term. We need more collectors your age and younger! One of the reasons I hang out here is I’m still a youngster at 64. I was hoping you were still planning on making the trip. Been hearing from my TGCA friends, they’re getting pretty excited. I’m a youngster in that crowd as well, one of the tasks I’ve undertaken is wrangling rental mobility scooters for some of our valued senior members.
Mike
TXGunNut said
What are your plans for this rifle, Cal? Are you going to shoot it? Any experience with the 218 Bee?
Mike
No experience Mike… Father-In-Law was an avid knife and firearm collector. Trying to understand some of the models that seem to be harder track to track down. The gun is well balanced and I would love to shoot it. We will be keeping some and selling some. The knives are much larger issue to tackle. Avid doesn’t begin to describe it.
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