Winchester Barrel Markings on a model 1903 or 63
Hello,
I recently purchased a Winchester "Model 03" that appears to be a rebarreled model 63 (or 1903). I have not gotten my hands on any 22 Win Auto ammo yet but 22 LR, WRF and Magnum doesn't fit so it must be correctly marked. My buttstock appears to be a model 63. Serial number is 126,XXX so it does not date in the 1903 models on the site I tried.
Does anyone recognize the markings on the barrel? Could you confirm my thoughts that this was a rifle that was rebarreled by Winchester?
I was able to find a 1903 for sale on GunBroker that had the same markings on the barrel. This is what makes me think it is a factory job.
I recently purchased a Winchester "Model 03" that appears to be a rebarreled model 63 (or 1903). I have not gotten my hands on any 22 Win Auto ammo yet but 22 LR, WRF and Magnum doesn't fit so it must be correctly marked. My buttstock appears to be a model 63. Serial number is 126,XXX so it does not date in the 1903 models on the site I tried.
Does anyone recognize the markings on the barrel? Could you confirm my thoughts that this was a rifle that was rebarreled by Winchester?
I was able to find a 1903 for sale on GunBroker that had the same markings on the barrel. This is what makes me think it is a factory job.
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late issue 1903..ammo is totaly collectable and hard to find 0 -
What is the complete serial number on your rifle? Production of the Model 03 ended in September of 1932 in the 126,000 serial range. 0 -
Serial # is 126209. 0 -
126,211 was the last one made in 1932, don't get much closer than that! 0 -
That is interesting. Oldguns.net lists up to 122,956.
I am still hesitent to think that this gun is all original as the condition of the barrel does not match the action. The proof marks also have a different look to them and the stamping of the "Winchester Trade Mark Made In The USA - .22 Win. Auto." doen't match most other 1903's. The only other one that matched was one I resectly saw on GB and the serial # for it dated it as a 1907 D.O.M. It had what I consider the correct buttstock where mine has a buttstock that matches a Model 63.
When I bought this rifle I got it with thoughts that it would make a good refinishing project at the price I bought it for. I question that its original but sure am interested in learning a little more about it before I start into the project.
The barrel has a "52" on the bottom of it. What does this stamping mean?0 -
Oldguns.net is a horribly inaccurate source of information concerning Winchester serial numbers and dates of manufacture[V].
I suspect that the rifle was returned to Winchester sometime in the early 1950s and was rebarelled. The "52" on the bottom of the barrel is the year it was manufactured.0 -
quote:Originally posted by CKAK22
Serial # is 126209.
Your rifle's receiver was manufactured (serialized) on the last date. On September 8th, 1932, the final three receivers (126209, 126210, and 126211) were completed. It is possible that it was not fully assembled until 1952 (as a parts clean-up) rifle. I would be hesitant about doing anything to it other than a good cleaning.0
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