Make: Winchester

Model: 64 Deluxe “Deer Rifle”

Serial Number: 1772267

Year of Manufacture: 1951

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special (.32 WS)

Action Type: Top Ejecting Lever Action Rifle with a three quarters length tubular magazine.

Barrel Length: 24 1/4” Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured ramp that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notched semi-buckhorn elevator sight that is dovetailed into the barrel with the notch fine-adjustable for elevation. The left side of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are “deluxe” two-piece checkered walnut with a semi-beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, sling-plate mounted in the belly (the other is integral to the nosecap), both with sling swivels, and a checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined, mostly sharp. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has minor wear, mostly at the heel where there is some corrosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is strong throughout. There is minor thinning on the bottom of the receiver and leading edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent 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 previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: At a time when more people were traveling by motorcar and railroad than by horse and stagecoach, Winchester thought a lever action rifle based on the Model 94 (it would fill the gap between the 26” barrel sporting rifle and the 20” barrel carbine) would sell like hotcakes. The Model 55 was introduced in 1924, but never sold particularly well, and was discontinued in 1932 when it was superseded by the Model 64.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 from 1933 until 1957, with a total of only 66,783 manufactured, making it one of the rarer Winchester lever action models. The Model 64 was made in two grades, the “Standard Rifle” and the deluxe “Deer Rifle”, with the latter boasting checkered walnut stocks, a steel grip cap, and sling mounts. Any Model 64 deluxe “Deer Rifle” remains scarce and desirable today.

This Winchester Model 64 Deluxe “Deer Rifle” was made in 1951 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 24 1/4” barrel, 97% of its lustrous, original blued finish, gorgeous “deluxe” two-piece checkered walnut stocks with a capped pistol grip, sling mounts, and a checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate, clear markings, a three quarters length magazine tube, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. The .32 Winchester Special cartridge is based on .30-30 WCF, perhaps the most popular deer cartridge in America, but necked-up to .32 caliber, giving it a little more power. This is a phenomenal, high condition Model 64 Deluxe “Deer Rifle”, and would be a welcome addition to any Winchester collection.