New member with a Winchester Model 55 question!!!

[smokey_the_bear]

Hey all, my name is Ryan and I'm very excited to finally be registered with THR. So not to waste anymore of your time, I have a question I need help with ASAP. I am about to go to a gun auction, and while I was there earlier looking over the firearms, I came across a Winchester Model 55, Serial # 94662. It almost seemed to good to be true, especially since I am a Model 94 fan. However, I have a few condition issues I need help with. First, the firearm is a takedown model, but the cylinder tube which holds the take down lever has a hairline crack going down into it. Second, the forearm has been filled in and refinished, poorly. Lastly, the bluing looks like almost 100% condition, therefore leading me to believe that the repeater has been re-blued. Other than that the 55 looks decent. Any help in what my highest bid should be for this gun? Or maybe its current value in this condition??? Please reply or send me a PM. I appreciate all your help and look forward to reading some informative threads! -Ryan

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You have a shooter, not a collector's item, given the condition of the gun. And the cracked magazine tube may or may not cause you problems. It will be difficult to replace, because they don't make takedown magazines any more.

I wouldn't go over $200.

 

[SwampWolf]

My (older but probably still relevant) "Blue Book" affixed the value of a Winchester Model 55 as $325.00 in "average" condition (75%=$700.00). Blue Book advised to add 50% for .25-35 WCF cal.; 100% for deluxe model and 15% for takedown model. What firearms are actually worth, of course, is no more or less than what somebody is willing to pay at any given time.

As a complete aside, it is interesting to note that Winchester sold a top-loading, bottom-ejecting, "semi/semi-auto", single-shot, .22 rifle for a short time (1958 to 1961). This rifle was also designated Model 55.

Welcome to The High Road!