Winchester Lever Action Mystery

[johnmcl]

Hi all,

I have my grandfather's very best friend's deer rifle in my possesion now. And to be honest, it is a little bit of a mystery.

The barrel is marked as a Winchester Model 64 in 32 WS. I presume that's 32 Winchester Special. The receiver tang is marked as Winchester 94. The serial number on the bottom of the receiver (1397XX) isn't found in the Model 64 databases I've searched, but is found in the Model 94 databases with a manufacture date of 1898.

My research shows that the earliest 64 was made in 1933. So why does the receiver pre-date the 64 debut by 35 years? A re-barreling comes to mind but that's a rare thing for these rifles.

Any thoughts?

John

 

[SaxonPig]

I am not a Win expert so I am not familiar with the Model 64. Is it a variation of the Model 94? The .32 WS was available in the 94 so a 64 must have been of similar size to chamber the same caliber.

It does sound to me like someone did a barrel swap. Maybe the 94 was in 30-30 and a previous owner want the .32 caliber instead and found the 64 barrel would fit?

 

[dfariswheel]

Here's what I've got on it.

The Model 64 rifle was just a Model 55 rifle, revamped.
In was made in calibers of .219 Zipper, .25-35 WCF, 30-30, and .32 Winchester Special.
Barrels were 20, 24, or 26 inches.

There were 66,783 made between 1933 and 1957 and again from 1972 to 1973 in 30-30 only with 8,250 made.

Under the Winchester Model 55 it says that after 2,865 were made, the Model 55 was serialized with Model 1894 production.
Also says "Simply could not compete with the 1894".

 

[pete f]

From reading the info provided, I would agree that a barrel swap was done, perhaps someone damaged the original or perhaps someone just wanted the longer barrel of the 64 rifle.


Seeing as the 55 and 64 were nothing more than delux versions of the 94 and that a barrel swap should be just a wrench job, It should be just fine.

However if you do not know that the gun was used and shot a g reat deal, I would consider finding a gunsmith with a go/no go gauge set for the 32 special and have the head space checked. It may have been a basement changeover job and it is possible that it may have excessive head space, on a rimmed cartridge like the 32 spec that usually just means that it will sometimes not get a good primerstrike and may allow the the brass to stretch or the primers to back out.

 

[ChestyP]

If you look it up

(I don'y have my Winchester book handy), I think you'll find the Model 55 is an upgraded Model 92 -- chambered for short cartridges -- and the Model 64 is a "sporterized" Model 94 with a half-magazine, chambered for the .30-30, .32 Special and .219 Zipper.

 

[wileyj]

Go over to http://www.leverguns.com/
They really know their stuff and can help you with answers, I bet.