Make: Winchester
Model: 63
Serial Number: 45659A
Year of Manufacture: 1941 / ATF Classification: C&R
Caliber/Gauge: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Semi Automatic, Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 23"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded post dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a King u-notch adjustable for elevation dovetailed into the barrel.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The refinished furniture is two piece wood with a straight comb, semi-pistol grip, smooth forend, and a smooth metal buttplate. The buttplate has lost most of it's finish and has residue from when the stock was refinished. The furniture shows a few pressure dings and old blemishes that have been finished over. There is a crack on the right side of the forend. There are also cracks located at the upper tang, right side of the receiver, and large one running from the loading port in the stock. The LOP measures 13.25" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The furniture rates in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few small patches of erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its original metal finish. A "W" is stamped on the bottom of the receiver frame. Winchester used this stamp between February 1939 and February 1941 to test their new "Dulite" bluing formula. The stamp indicates the steel reacted correctly to the new chemical process. The finish shows freckling, edge wear, scratches, and faint patina. The screw heads show light tooling and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This prewar Winchester Model 63 was manufactured in 1941 and qualifies as a Curio and Relic rifle. Produced by Winchester during the final full year of prewar production, the Model 63 represented one of Winchester's most refined semi-automatic rimfire designs. By 1941, the rifle had fully matured in configuration and performance, just before civilian production slowed due to wartime priorities.
Chambered in .22 Long Rifle with a 23 inch barrel, this tube-fed semi-automatic rifle retains approximately 80% of its original metal finish. A "W" is stamped on the bottom of the receiver frame. Winchester used this stamp between February 1939 and February 1941 to test their new "Dulite" bluing formula. The stamp indicates the steel reacted correctly to the new chemical process, adding an interesting production detail to this example. The action functions correctly.
The refinished furniture rates in Good condition with visible handling wear. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition and stands as a historically interesting 1941 Winchester Model 63 with the Dulite test stamp. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!
