Make: Winchester

Model: 55

Serial Number: 1039143

Year of Manufacture: 1928

Caliber: .30-30 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Rifle

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a white beaded blade dovetailed to a base forged to the barrel. The rear sight has been removed, its dovetail filled with a blank. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present). The left of the receiver has been drilled and tapped with a Lyman 66A receiver sight installed (matching assembly numbers). The sights are not original to the rifle.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate. There are holes drilled in the nosecap and belly for sling mounts (none present). The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is cracking at the heel. There is discoloration around the edges of the buttplate and top tang. The LOP measures 13 1/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with erosion around the top mounting screw, some light oxidation, nicks, scratches and well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few spots of light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish. The balance is mostly in the receiver and barrel extension which have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some finish remaining around raised features. The barrel and magazine have infrequent more minor wear. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: By the early 1920’s, Winchester’s Model 94 rifle was losing sales, and in 1924 Winchester introduced an updated version of the Model 94 rifle dubbed the Model 55. The Winchester Model 55 was a rifle with a 24-inch barrel, a half-magazine that held three cartridges and was a takedown rifle which was convenient for storage and transport. It was initially chambered only in .30-30 Win., but .25-35 Win. and .32 Win. Spl. were added in 1926. For the first few years, the Model 55 carried its own set of serial numbers. Eventually, Winchester started producing Models 55 with a solid frame, using Model 94 receivers and serialized in the established Model 94 range. In 1932, with approximately 20,500 guns made, the Model 55 was discontinued to make way for the Winchester Model 64. This rifle was made in 1928, with a takedown action and serialized in the Model 94 serial range. The rifle has honest wear consistent with its age, but it still retains a strong bore and mechanics. This rifle could be heading back out in the field to drop some deer but would also help round out a collection missing the Model 55. Please see our photos and good luck!