Make: Winchester

Model: 64

Serial Number: 1296461

Year of Manufacture: 1943-1948

Caliber: 25-35 W.C.F.

Action Type: Top Ejecting Lever Action with 2/3 Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER- / PROOF STEEL”, “MODEL 64-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”, “25-35 W.C.F.-”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with WP proofs. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN. CONN.”. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / MADE IN U.S.A.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “1296461” and “H.A.M.”. The HAM marking means that this rifle was once part of Harold A. McCallum’s collection who began stamping all of his guns after a large portion of his collection was stolen.

Barrel Length: 24 ¼”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a textured ramp that is fixed to the barrel and slotted for a hood. The hood has been removed. The rear sight is a u-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight, dovetailed to the barrel and fine elevation adjustment. The left side of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled for the mounting of a receiver sight (not included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is light finish loss at the heel and toe, and generally on the belly. There are some more concentrated nicks and scuffs on the comb near the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows general operation wear. There is thinning on the leading edges and bottom of the receiver. There are light handling marks with some more notable scratches on the receiver. The screw heads range from lightly tool marked to disfigured with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions smoothly and correctly, and the trigger is crisp. This rifle has lever and half-cock hammer safeties. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Winchester’s venerable Model 94 rifle, long a favorite of hunters and outdoorsmen, was beginning to lose sales in the early 1920’s, although the shorter barreled carbine was still popular. More people were traveling by motorcar and railroad, and Winchester thought a takedown rifle based on the Model 94 would sell well. The Model 55 was introduced in 1924, but never sold particularly well, and was discontinued in 1932 when it was superseded by the Model 64. The Model 64 was a redesign of the Model 55 with a longer magazine tube and made with a solid frame only. The Model 64 stayed in production until 1957, with a total of only 66,783 manufactured, making it one of the rarer lever action models made by Winchester. A 2nd batch of 8250 was produced in the early 1970’s, but those made before 1964 have better quality and smoothness of operation than that found on more modern Model 94’s.