Make: Winchester
Model: 55
Serial Number: 1075605
Year of Manufacture: 1929
Caliber: .25-35 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Solid Frame 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 is a small loss on the top edge of the forend on the left side at the front and another on the right side at the rear. There are some scattered compressions and a few dings in the wood. There are some scattered scuffs and scratches. 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: The barrel finish is Original, the receiver and nosecap have been treated with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a couple spots of minor surface erosion. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. Portions of the receiver and nosecap have been treated with cold blue that has mostly worn off and discolored. The receiver has areas of mottled discoloration and areas of minor erosion. The receiver has been polished and some of the pinheads are now flat and flush with the receiver. The barrel has some scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are some scattered areas of light oxidation. There is some 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. 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. Initially chambered only in .30-30 Win., in 1926 the .25-35 Win. and .32 Win. Special calibers were added. 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. The first solid frame Model 55s were offered in 1930, but only for two years, for by 1932, with 20,580 total guns made, the Model 55 was discontinued to make way for the Winchester Model 64. The solid frame version of the Model 55 remains scarcer than the takedown version by a ratio of about 1:5.
This Winchester 1920s Solid Frame Model 55 Rifle was made in late 1929, 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 great 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 Solid Frame Model 55.
RIFLE