Well men, I think I want to write an article on the Winchester Model 53. I don't think I'll be actually writing it until next winter when I have a bit more time, but I need to start gathering info and photos. So here is how you can help me out:
1. I need photos of Winchester Model 53 rifles, two types. One type is a nicely composed shot of the rifle with maybe a few other items contemporary with the late 1920's, or however you want to lay it out. The other type is a photo of the rifle with some game it has taken, along with pertinent info (caliber, load, range, etc.)
2. I need manufacturing dates. The Winchester records for the Model 53 have been lost. I do have polishing room data for the first few years, but it ends in 1929. There is a way to find out when your Model 53 was made, however. The last two digits of the date are stamped on the underside of the barrel near the receiver. Both mine have the dates stamped, so I figure most if not all Model 53's will have their dates stamped. I need to correlate the dates with their serial numbers. To see your date, here is the procedure:
Step One: Remove the two screws on either side of the forearm cap (remember, the mag tube is spring loaded, so when you remove the screws, the forearm cap will go shooting across the room. To prevent this, press against the button cap on the end of the mag tube as you unscrew the two screws.
Step Two: Carefully remove the forearm cap while guiding the mag tube spring with the other hand, so the spring extends out of the mag tube in a controlled fashion (as opposed to going 'sproing'.
Step Three: pull out the mag tub with your fingers
Step Four: no need to remove the tenon dovetailed into the barrel. Just lift the front of the forearm wood slightly away from the barrel as you pull the forearm wood forward out of the receiver. If it is tight, you may need to wiggle it very slightly as you pull it forward.
Step Five: There should be a two digit number stamped on the underside of the barrel along with other miscellaneous stampings. My two 53's have '24' and '28' respectively, denoting '1924' and '1928'.
Step Six: While you have the forearm off, clean out the 80 years worth of crud that has accumulated under there and then reassemble in reverse order.
The whole procedure is simple and takes only a few minutes, but no one has done this research to match serial numbers to manufacturing dates. George Madis has a list, but he used other data and his dates don't always match up with actual Winchester dates. The date under the barrel may not be exact, but it will usually be within a month of two of actual assembly. I was able to verify my 1924 Model 53 with Winchester's polishing room data stored in Cody, Wyoming. The polishing room data said my serial number was produced in 1924, the date under my barrel says 1924, but Madis' data says 1925.
So you got the rest of the year for the photos, but I wouldn't mind getting the serial number vs. barrel date reasonably soon. Your data will be kept confidential. The names will not be recorded, only a serial number vs. date chart.
Thanks to anyone who can help out. PM me with any info, or my email address if you are sending a photo.
1. I need photos of Winchester Model 53 rifles, two types. One type is a nicely composed shot of the rifle with maybe a few other items contemporary with the late 1920's, or however you want to lay it out. The other type is a photo of the rifle with some game it has taken, along with pertinent info (caliber, load, range, etc.)
2. I need manufacturing dates. The Winchester records for the Model 53 have been lost. I do have polishing room data for the first few years, but it ends in 1929. There is a way to find out when your Model 53 was made, however. The last two digits of the date are stamped on the underside of the barrel near the receiver. Both mine have the dates stamped, so I figure most if not all Model 53's will have their dates stamped. I need to correlate the dates with their serial numbers. To see your date, here is the procedure:
Step One: Remove the two screws on either side of the forearm cap (remember, the mag tube is spring loaded, so when you remove the screws, the forearm cap will go shooting across the room. To prevent this, press against the button cap on the end of the mag tube as you unscrew the two screws.
Step Two: Carefully remove the forearm cap while guiding the mag tube spring with the other hand, so the spring extends out of the mag tube in a controlled fashion (as opposed to going 'sproing'.
Step Three: pull out the mag tub with your fingers
Step Four: no need to remove the tenon dovetailed into the barrel. Just lift the front of the forearm wood slightly away from the barrel as you pull the forearm wood forward out of the receiver. If it is tight, you may need to wiggle it very slightly as you pull it forward.
Step Five: There should be a two digit number stamped on the underside of the barrel along with other miscellaneous stampings. My two 53's have '24' and '28' respectively, denoting '1924' and '1928'.
Step Six: While you have the forearm off, clean out the 80 years worth of crud that has accumulated under there and then reassemble in reverse order.
The whole procedure is simple and takes only a few minutes, but no one has done this research to match serial numbers to manufacturing dates. George Madis has a list, but he used other data and his dates don't always match up with actual Winchester dates. The date under the barrel may not be exact, but it will usually be within a month of two of actual assembly. I was able to verify my 1924 Model 53 with Winchester's polishing room data stored in Cody, Wyoming. The polishing room data said my serial number was produced in 1924, the date under my barrel says 1924, but Madis' data says 1925.
So you got the rest of the year for the photos, but I wouldn't mind getting the serial number vs. barrel date reasonably soon. Your data will be kept confidential. The names will not be recorded, only a serial number vs. date chart.
Thanks to anyone who can help out. PM me with any info, or my email address if you are sending a photo.
I'd better hide it good then!
