Sorry, if this is a duplicate, I’m not sure if the first one went through or not. My most recent model, 43 deluxe had a different pistol, grip caps and my others. All of my others have a black plastic, pistol grip cap that has the Winchester name around the edges. This one had a smooth black metal cap, I can send pictures if necessary, just wanted to know if they had different caps or if this may have been put on later.
Hello Tim,
The late production Model 43 Special rifles were indeed fitted with a smooth blued steel pistol grip cap versus the more common black rubber cap with the Winchester logo. The attached picture is the grip cap on S/N 51245. I have documented (8) Model 43 Specials with the steel grip caps thus far.
What is the S/N on your Model 43 Special?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Hello Tim,The late production Model 43 Special rifles were indeed fitted with a smooth blued steel pistol grip cap versus the more common black rubber cap with the Winchester logo. The attached picture is the grip cap on S/N 51245. I have documented (8) Model 43 Specials with the steel grip caps thus far.
What is the S/N on your Model 43 Special?
Bert
57113. Thanks for your help!
Just starting to get into this model 43 collecting thing. I think I know the basics, but why are the 32–20 caliber rifles so hard to find? What were their production numbers compared to the other calibers? I have found a few 25 – 20s and obviously the hornets and bees are a lot easier, But where can I get my hands on a 32–20?
When I wrote my original Model 43 article (for the WACA collector magazine) back in Spring of 2016, the ratio of calibers was as shown below. At that time, I had only surveyed (479) rifles.
Observed Cartridge Chambering Totals & Percentages (Spring 2016) |
||||||||||||
Caliber |
22 Hornet | 218 BEE | 25-20 WIN. | 32 WIN. | Total | |||||||
Qty. |
240 | 200 | 21 | 18 |
479 |
|||||||
% | 50.10% | 41.75% | 4.38% | 3.76% |
100% |
|||||||
Extrapolated Cartridge Chambering Totals |
||||||||||||
Caliber |
22 Hornet | 218 BEE | 25-20 WIN. | 32 WIN. |
Total |
|||||||
Qty. |
31,309 | 26,090 | 2,739 | 2,348 |
62,617 |
Today, I currently have 1,689 Model 43 rifles documented in the survey, and the caliber totals are as shown below;
Observed Cartridge Chambering Totals & Percentages (May 2023) | ||||||
Caliber | 218 BEE | 22 HORNET | 25-20 WIN. | 32 WIN. | 22 WMR | Total |
32-20 WIN. | ||||||
Qty. | 767 | 750 | 94 | 75 | 3 | 1,689 |
% | 45.41% | 44.40% | 5.57% | 4.44% | 0.18% | 100% |
As you can see, the 32 Win (32-30) was the least produced of the four standard cartridges. That undoubtedly is why you are not readily finding them.
I would appreciate learning more about your collection of Model 43 rifles.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Tim Weaver_1 said
Bert H. said
Hello Tim,
The late production Model 43 Special rifles were indeed fitted with a smooth blued steel pistol grip cap versus the more common black rubber cap with the Winchester logo. The attached picture is the grip cap on S/N 51245. I have documented (8) Model 43 Specials with the steel grip caps thus far.
What is the S/N on your Model 43 Special?
Bert
57113. Thanks for your help!
That makes it a July 1953 production rifle… which cartridge is it chambered for?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
25-20 standard. 27xxx
25-20 standard 47xx
218 Bee Deluxe 19xxx ( with original box)
22 Hornet standard 44xxx
22 Hornet Deluxe 57xxx
22 Hornet Deluxe 12xxx
22 Hornet Deluxe 33xxx
22 Hornet standard 56xxx. Somebody refinished standard stock and re checkered it to look like Deluxe. They did a beautiful job, but forgot to add the pistol grip cap. Not sure if they meant to deceive someone or to just make a nice looking gun.
Tim,
Please send me an email with the complete serial number for each rifle. That information is needed for the accuracy of the survey. If you would prefer, you can send the information to me in a PM or email.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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