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LOT 3065
Desirable Early First Year
Production Three Digit Serial Number Winchester
Model 61 Slide Action Rifle - Serial no. 360, 22 S L L
R cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. In the
early 1910s Winchester’s exposed hammer slide action rifle, the Model 1906,
dominated the small bore rifle market, but by the Great Depression the streamlined
hammerless designs by competitors like Remington and Marlin were winning over customers.
To keep up with current trends, Winchester responded with the introduction of the Model 61 in 1932. This first year production, three digit serialized
Model 61 is a tangible link to the exact year Winchester attempted to revitalize its position in the small bore rifle market. Over the years, the Model 61 has gained the attention of
collectors, and no collection can be considered complete without an early first year production example. Beaded blade front and Winchester 32B elevation adjustable rear notch sights, first
style barrel inscription, Winchester “WP” proofs on the barrel and receiver at the breech, correct early checkered hammer catch, smooth trigger, round top receiver, and factory drilled and
tapped upper tang with filler screws in place. 11 groove slide handle and smooth pistol grip stock with checkered blue steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original blue finish, some areas of minor edge wear, surface scratches, scattered light spotting, and slide retraction marks. The wood is also very fine with
scattered dings and scratches, light edge wear on buttplate, and some small chips at the heel. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3064
Rare Early Production Serial Number 498, Experimental Type Winchester Model 63/1903 Semi-Automatic
Rifle - Serial no. 498, 22 Short cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1932-1933, this interesting rifle appears to be
an early experimental prototype of the Winchester Model 63 “Self-Loading” rifle. The only markings visible on this particular rifle are the caliber
marking on the upper left of the barrel at the breech and the large-numeral, three-digit serial number on the bottom of the frame and the trigger plate. The Model 63
rifle was introduced by Winchester in 1933 and was intended as an updated version of their popular Model 1903 that would be capable of handling the new and desirable .22
Long Rifle High-velocity cartridge. Early versions of the Model 63 had a locking device on the rear of the receiver that interfaced with the takedown screw, which is present on this
example. Early in production the 63 was also fitted with a 20 inch barrel, as on this example and just like the Model 1903, until it was changed to 23 inches around serial number 52000. The
most interesting feature about this particular example is that it appears to be fitted with a Model 1903 stock with a straight grip and a crescent buttplate, a type of buttplate which was never standard
on the Model 63. George Madis notes in “The Winchester Book” when referring to the Model 63 that, “A few straight grip rifles were made, but they are very rare.” It is fitted with a beaded blade front sight
and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and it is mounted with a smooth forearm and the previously mentioned Model 1903 pattern straight grip stock and crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine as a likely factory experimental prototype, retaining 90% plus of the factory blue finish with some scattered light scratches and light edge wear. The wood is also very fine with some
scattered light dings and scruffs. Mechanically excellent. A rare experimental variation of the Winchester Model 63!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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