Make: Winchester
Model: 55
Serial Number: 1047334
Year of Manufacture: 1928
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Takedown Lever Action Rifle with Side Loading Gate fed by Half Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman beaded blade dovetailed to a base forged to the barrel above the muzzle. 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 smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, fluted straight comb, and serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate. There are areas of thinning and finish loss. There are some scattered compressions. There are some nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are areas of discoloration and oil staining. There are some deep marks in the wood on the left of the forend. There is light handling wear.The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has lost its finish and has scattered areas of discoloration from previous oxidation and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some light to moderate surface erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates an 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The receiver and receiver extension have lost their finish and have areas of erosion and scabbing. The barrel has scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are some areas of light oxidation, discoloration from previous oxidation, and minor erosion on the barrel. There is finish wear on the edges. There are some scattered light handling marks. There is 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. This rifle features a half cock and lever safety. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: By the early 1920s, Winchester’s Model 94 rifle was declining in popularity, and in 1924, Winchester introduced an updated version of the Model 94 rifle dubbed the Model 55. The Model 55 featured a 24” barrel (fitting nicely between the 26” barrel Model 94 sporting rifle and 20” barrel Model 94 carbine), a half-magazine that held three cartridges, and a takedown design, convenient for storage and transport. For the first few years, the Model 55 carried its own set of serial numbers, but after March 1928, Winchester decided to start producing some Model 55s with a solid frame, using Model 94 receivers, and thereafter serialized both types in the established Model 94 range. By 1932, with 20,580 total guns made, the Model 55 was discontinued to make way for the Winchester Model 64.
This Winchester 1920s Model 55 Takedown Rifle was made in 1928, serialized in the established Model 94 range, and is in Very Good condition. The rifle has honest wear consistent with its age, but still retains a very good bore and strong mechanics. This rifle could easily head back out in the field to drop some deer, but would also help round out a Winchester collection missing the Model 55 Takedown.
RIFLE