Make: Winchester

Model: 64 Deluxe “Deer Rifle”

Serial Number: 1465815

Year of Manufacture: 1943 through 1947

Caliber: .32 W.S. 

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

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, -“WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“-, “MODEL 64 – 32 W.S.-The top of the barrel and the receiver chamber ring are each marked with a “WP” proof. The underside of the receiver is marked “1465815”. The lower tang in front of the trigger is marked with “CV”.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured ramp that is fixed to the barrel. The blade is not original and sits too high where the blade is sitting against the top of the hood. The rear sight is a Marble’s “v” notched flat-top semi-buckhorn elevator sight that is dovetailed into the barrel with the notch fine-adjustable for elevation and a white diamond aim reference. 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 checkered walnut with semi-beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, White Line Junior Skeet L vented rubber buttpad, and a sling-plate mounted in the belly (the other is integral to the nosecap. The stocks have light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a small crack on the left side of the wrist where the receiver begins to form the upper tang. The checkering is well defined and attractive. The LOP measures 13 3/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad has minor wear at the heel and toe with some minor cracking at the vents. The rear of the buttstock appears to have been lacquered and the finish on the right side has crazing. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good 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. There is some minor stubborn fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is strong throughout with some thinning on the leading edges and muzzle. There is infrequent surface oxidation on the lever and bottom tang. The action shows light operation wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong 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: This is a Winchester Model 64 Rifle in .32 W.S with a 24” barrel and ¾ length magazine tube. The rifle is a 64 Deer Rifle, the deluxe version with checkered stocks, capped grip and sling mounts front and rear. In about Fine overall condition, this rifle retains about 95% of its original finish, the bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. 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 travelling 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.