GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
WINCHESTER MODEL 53 TAKEDOWN LEVER ACTION RIFLE.WINCHESTER53332144-40MODERN; C&RCal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade rifle with 22" extra light tapered rnd bbl, takedown, 6-shot magazine, pedestal mounted Lyman gold bead sporting front sight and flat top rear sight. Bbl markings are standard for the Model 53. Mounted with uncheckered, nicely figured, slab sawed American walnut with straight stock & serrated shotgun buttplate. According to The Winchester Book, Madis there were 24,916 of these light weight, handy little rifles produced 1924-1932. The early production of this model was serialized in the 1892 series, however in short order the model had its own serial range. This rifle was produced in 3 calibers in both standard & takedown configuration with the takedown feature a special order. According to the reference publication the cal 25-20 was standard for this model and that cal along with the 32-20 outsold the 44-40. A few special order rifles were also produced in 218 Bee. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 98% strong orig blue and the forend cap 95-96% orig blue. Receiver retains 60-70% orig blue, strong on the sides and over the top with the bottom front sides & belly of the receiver flaked, not worn to a medium patina. The takedown bbl extension is flaked to a medium patina. Lever & hammer retain most of their orig factory blue showing only sharp edge wear. Both tangs retain most of their orig blue. Forearm has about 1/2" crack at the left rear edge, otherwise wood is sound and retains virtually all of its orig finish, possibly with some lightly added finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore shows little evidence of use. 51565-3 JRL (2,500-4,000)