VERY RARE MODEL 55 .30 WCF TAKEDOWN WITH STAINLESS STEEL  BARREL, #4XXX, MADE 1926

Description:
VERY RARE MODEL 55 .30 WCF TAKEDOWN WITH STAINLESS STEEL  BARREL, #4XXX, MADE 1926. Winchester held on to the M-94 Carbine, but discontinued the ’94 Rifle in 1924 and replaced it with the Model 55. Eight years later the M-55 was discontinued (1932) and replaced with the Model 64 with only 20,580 Model 55s produced. From about 1926-1929 Winchester offered Stainless Steel barrels as an option, but  few  people ordered them and after this short time Stainless Steel was dropped. This example was a first year production with the Stainless Steel option. Barrels made of this steel would not take bluing, so Winchester finished them with a black “japanned” finish. This japanned finish flaked and scratched off easily and many owners simply steel-wooled the japanning off. This example still shows much of the japanning on the correct 24” barrel with the usual scratches and scuffs. The receiver blue has flaked to gray/brown with some aged blue in the more protected areas, the loading gate, forend cap and magazine tube. The receiver has not been polished or steel-wooled and is fitted with a period all steel Redfield receiver sight mounted on the left side. The upper tang shows good blue with the forward factory tang sight hole filled- so it obviously had a tang sight on at some point with no extra holes drilled in the upper tang. The stock and forend show handling and a little dryness, but good wood to metal fit with no sign of any sanding or refinishing. The receiver screws appear unturned. Fitted with a Marble buckhorn rear sight with blade/bead front sight in the factory short ramp. Action is tight as is the takedown. Strong springs and secure safety half-cock. Bright bore, as one would expect from a stainless steel barrel. Exc. markings including the “STAINLESS STEEL” marking on the barrel. A fairly scarce model with limited production, but especially so with stainless steel barrel. A most unusual 100 year old Winchester. 
 

Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: WINCHESTER
Model: MODEL 55 STAINLESS
Serial Number: 4XXX
Barrel Length: 24
Condition: FINE
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT

Price: $2,350.00