Make: Winchester

Model: 53

Serial Number: 6998

Year of Manufacture: 1927

Caliber: .25-20 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-MODEL 53-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “-NICKEL STEEL – 25-20 W.C.F.-“. The top of the barrel and receiver have ovalled “WP” proofs. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-“. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN.”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number “6998”. The bottom of the receiver next to the lever is marked “41”.

Barrel Length: 22″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble’s flat-top, “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel with fine elevation adjustment. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present). 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight wrist, fluted straight comb and serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have some compressions, nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. There is a spot of notable scrapes on the bottom right of the forend near the receiver. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with light handling wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, the receiver has been scrubbed.

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 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish on the barrel is mostly strong with mild thinning throughout. The receiver appears to have been scrubbed. The bottom of the receiver is especially bright where there is also some trace erosion. There is intermittent oxidation throughout. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action is fairly smooth and the lever locks up correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. We have not fired 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 Model 53 is essentially the same as the 1892, but was offered with fewer special order features. Introduced in 1924, the standard model was chambered for 25-20 with a 22″ round barrel, 6-shot button magazine, straight grip and shotgun-style steel buttplate. Special order features included chambering for 32-20 or 44-40 (or .218 Bee very late in production), takedown frame, pistol grip, set-trigger, crescent buttplate and deluxe wood.

This is a particularly early example, serial 6998, and is chambered for .25-20. The rifle has seen some use over the last 100 years and its receiver has been heavily cleaned somewhere along the way. The barrel retains the majority of its original finish, an excellent bore and good mechanics. The rifle would make a great addition to a Winchester collection and maybe even getting back out in the field.