Sears 53 rifle

itchy300

April 08, 2013 12:07

I have one in 270 caliber with serial# 284xx and was wondering about production date and value range. Do the Sears model 53 rifles hold the same value as the Winchester 70s?

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  rufe-snow

  April 08, 2013 13:26

  You can tell if it is pre, or more likely post 64 by the extractor. If it's external it would be pre 64, internal post 64.
  
  To the best of my recollection they were post 64.
  
  Because it's marked Sears 53 rather then Winchester Model 70, your looking at a substantial difference in value. Probably at least 25%?

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  lcdrdanr

  April 09, 2013 08:09

  I have a Sears M53 with SN 114XXX in .270 also, very accurate rifle with a butter smooth action. I've always assumed it was a post '64 and since Sears quit carrying firearms around 1968 it would seem there was a fairly short span on them being available.
  
  Some books list these as being made by Savage but that's nonsense, they're Winchester M70's with Sears name on them.
  
  Dan R

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  JohnStimson

  April 09, 2013 10:27

  The 53 is a post 64 Winchester Model 70. The earlier Model 70 was too costly to produce and sell to Sears at Sears desired price.
  
  Sears sold guns until about 1984 but they were no longer listed in the mail order catalogs after 1968 nor did they sell them by mail order after that time. Other large retailers who used mail order catalogs continued after 1968 by finding FFL holders around the country who would receive the guns and process the transfers.

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