Winchester Model 55 Takedown Like 1894 .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle, MFD 1926 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1026
LSB#: 210412RW03
Make: Winchester
Model: 55
Serial Number: 3122
Year of Manufacture: 1926
Caliber: .30-30 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-MODEL 55–”, “WINCHESTER / –TRADE MARK—”, “– NICKEL STEEL – 30 W.C.F. –“, the top of the barrel and receiver have “WP” in oval, the underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / —NEW HAVEN CONN.—“. The upper tang is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-”. The takedown lever on the magazine tube cap is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded Lyman blade dovetailed to a base forged to the barrel. There is a dovetail at the rear of the barrel which is currently filled with a Marble’s blank. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight with a Marble’s folding aperture sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The plate is of a newer design and is not original to the stock. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with areas of discoloration from age and oil, mostly at the edges of the metal. There is a patch repair in the belly, likely from a previously installed sling stud. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear, mostly at the heel, with generally sharp checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: There appears to be some original finish remaining, but most surfaces show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. Our bore gauge gave an M.E. of about 1.1.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The metal surfaces have a mottled appearance ranging from strong blue to the milky-gray appearance of old cold blue. There is some scattered erosion in the areas which have been cold blued. 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 generally clear, the barrel’s “WP” proof is lightly worn. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle has a 3 round removable tube magazine, which allows the rifle to be taken down in seconds for maintenance and storage. The trigger is crisp. This rifle features a half cock and lever safety. 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. In 1930, 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 1926, in the earlier years with a takedown action and serialized in the Model 55 serial range. The rifle certainly looks like it has seen its share of use, but it still retains a great bore and strong mechanics. This rifle would be equally suited to rounding out a Winchester lever-rifle collection or to heading back out in the field to drop some deer. Please see our photos and good luck!