Hello, first post and reason for joining!

beichling1 · Post by **beichling1** » Wed May 11, 2011 2:43 am

Hello, my name is Brett and just joined this community. I only own one lever action firearm but it is one of my gems passed down through the family and I hope to dip into this forums vast well of knowledge so I can be educated about my rifle. It is a model 53 Winchester. The only info I have been able to learn about it online is that it was manufactured in 1924. It is a 44WCF and also a Takedown as the pictures clearly show. Any and all info is greatly appreciated. The serial number happens to be #339 if that helps. I fire this rifle regularly as it shoots great. The questions I have are production numbers, value, and opinions on if I should be using it as my go-to gun when I feel like plinking. Also the sights seem to be aftermarket but equally old. They were made by Pacific. If family the family story is correct this rifle was originally used in an official capacity by a revenue agent in San Fransisco. Of course family history tends to bend and flow through the years., so who knows. Thanks! I apologize in advance if the picture quality is low. Used my Ipod camera. I can take photos with a camera If somebody would like to see something specific on this weapon. Camera is out on loan at the moment. Family huh!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed May 11, 2011 2:57 am

Welcome to the Fire beichling1.

Nice, well loved looking rifle you have there.

I'm sure one of our Winchester experts will be along shortly.

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Wed May 11, 2011 4:57 am

Nice rifle and welcome,
My 94 saddle ring carbine from 1916 has the same Pacific sight that was on it when I got it in 1958. I know it's valuable but shoot it.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:01 am

Welcome......... from a florida Levergunner...

found this on your winny
Model 53 Winchester Rifles - In 1924, Winchester introduced the Model 53 lever-action rifle as a more modern version of the 1892 Winchester. The Model 53 was available in 44-40, 32-20, and 25-20 calibers. This rifle could be ordered only with a round 22 inch barrel, the forearm smooth, half-magazine, a plain or pistol grip walnut straight-grip stock, and shotgun butt. The frame and barrel were blued and had either a solid or takedown feature like yours.

The Model 53 was manufactured through 1932 with approximately 25,000 guns produced during the 8-year production period. The Model 53 was discontinued along with several other Winchester models because it could just not compete in sales with the 1894 and the impact of the Great Depression on Winchester Arms.

This gun is very, very collectible and sought after...KirkD is the man to talk to...

To determine the market value go to Gunbroker.com
and search for a gun closest to yours...you can also
go to guns international or auctionarms, or gunsamerica....

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:42 am

rangerider7 recently posted this
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =226321977

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed May 11, 2011 7:43 am

Welcome and that is clearly a treasure, one those everyone would like to have. Feel free to PM KirkD - he will be interested to see that.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:08 am

Nice old Winchester, I say use it and enjoy it. You aren't going to hurt it if you take resonable care of it. It's been used enough that you don't have to worry about it being perfect forever, but good enough to be able to appreciate it's abilities.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:27 am

Welcome,You sure know how to make an entrance.

. what a Treasure You have there. As the others have said Kirk D will love to see that old Girl.

pwl44m · Post by **pwl44m** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:38 am

Welcome beichling 1, very nice Rifle for sure. I have a 53 with a stainless steel barrel in 25-20. They r handy little rifles and very collectable. As others have menyioned Kirk D is the Man for info on 53s. He is compiling information on them. He was extremely helpful with what is right and what is wrong with Mine.
Again "Welcome" post often. Very good start, U have pictures.

ArcticGoose · Post by **ArcticGoose** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:53 am

Welcome aboard! I have a solid frame 53 in 32-20 and love it. Being that it's a family gun, I'd say it's value is priceless. Shoot it, enjoy it, and pass it along.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed May 11, 2011 11:38 am

Wait a minute. . . are you related to Ysabel Kid...?

Are you related to Ysabel Kid.JPG

(He always manages to have his feet/slippers in his gun photos

).

gak · Post by **gak** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:37 pm

Nice looking rifle - for starters

- and welcome aboard!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:56 pm

AJMD429 wrote:Wait a minute. . . are you related to Ysabel Kid...?

(He always manages to have his feet/slippers in his gun photos ).

I was thinking that too!

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed May 11, 2011 1:18 pm

Welcome! I sent you a PM.

beichling1 · Post by **beichling1** » Wed May 11, 2011 2:32 pm

Thank you everybody for the welcome! I will post better pictures shortly and I even intend to actually set up a measured range in order to provide accuracy information. Thanks for the advice about value and use. I like to carry this rifle when out and about and will keep doing so. A friend of mine is going to start producing handloads for me as well. This will make my ammo supply problems disappear. As far as the boots in the picture go-they were close when I needed to prop up the rifle, lol. A friend of mine is itching to borrow the Win. this fall for deer. Easy deal for some steaks. Again thank you. I do own many firearms and hope to be able to contribute to this forum in the future.

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Wed May 11, 2011 3:23 pm

Welcome. Unless the best of friends, I would be slow to lend out a family piece like that. It sure is nice.
Gobbler

beichling1 · Post by **beichling1** » Wed May 11, 2011 3:59 pm

I understand the trepidation about loaning friends firearms. Two way street though and he is a close friend and serious firearm collector (though not a levergun guy). I have the highest trust in him. He knows how to take care of firearms. And a freezer full of meat is worth the chance:)

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:24 pm

Wow Brett you really know how to make an entrance. Not only do you post a picture right off you post it of such a highly desirable rifle.

Welcome!

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Wed May 11, 2011 9:18 pm

Nice introduction and you did it right the first time with pics. Great piece of history, priceless. Welcome to the forum.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed May 11, 2011 9:26 pm

Welcome aboard. Heck of a first post beautiful ole rifle.

LeverBob · Post by **LeverBob** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:23 pm

Welcome Ching!

Hello from Northern Nev.

LeverBob

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:24 pm

Welcome aboard!

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:33 pm

late to the meeting, again.

like everybody else

welcome.

firefuzz · Post by **firefuzz** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:30 am

Gobblerforge wrote:Welcome. Unless the best of friends, I would be slow to lend out a family piece like that. It sure is nice.
Gobbler

Amen to that, especially one that nice. A modern gun that can be repaired or replaced...yeah, but that one??? I've loaned guns many times and probably 50% of the time they've come back damaged in some way. Now I keep a SKS beater for a loaner.

BTW, glad ta see ya.

Rob

Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!

Re: Hello, first post and reason for joining!