Early 1st Year Winchester Model 53 22″ .25-20 WCF Lever Rifle, 1924 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
WOA#: WY240614GC005
Make: Winchester
Model: 53
Serial Number: 84
Year of Manufacture: 1924
Caliber: .25-20 Winchester Center Fire (.25 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.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top, “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forend, straight wrist, straight comb and serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate. Each side of the wrist has an inlaid octagonal Indian Head replica California token. The stocks have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are some areas of thinning finish and there is some pooled finish at the bottom-rear of the forend. There is some odd, patterned wear in the finish on the left of the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined; we suspect it is not factory checkering. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white, gone to a light patina at the toe, with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance in scattered wear on the receiver, more notable in the top tang and the bottom-front. Some worn areas are going to a light patina. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some minor surface erosion at the muzzle. There is a more notable nick at the right-rear of the receiver. 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 Very 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 84, and is chambered for .25-20. The rifle has seen some use over the last 100 years and its stocks were refinished somewhere along the way. The rifle retains the majority of its original metal finish, a strong bore and good mechanics. The rifle would make a great addition to a Winchester collection and maybe even getting back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
