Model 53 25/20 Win

[3leggedturtle]

Found one at the Ft Worth Cabela's, they wante $999 for it. Had SN# 8583 and was made in 1927, nice bore and rifling. Was/Is this an ok deal? No I didnt buy it, but sure keep thinking about it.

[Terry Murbach]

IN FINE SHAPE I BELIEVE THAT TO BE A GOOD DEAL.

[dr walker]

Sounds like a good deal to me. How did the wood and metal look? Any extra holes?

[Hobie]

An all right deal, dependent on condition.

[Mike D.]

I looked at the Ft Worth Cabela's site and the Model 53 isn't listed. It would seem to me that they would list a nice gun like that one.

[Sixgun]

Near "Highway Robbery". Must have been a few extra holes in the receiver----even so, its worth a grand as long as everything else is fine. The later leverguns made by Winchester usually have nice tight tolerences for shooting and their bores are almost always bright and shiny due to the better ammo of the day.

You will have a "no problem" gun for the rest of your shooting days -------------Sixgun

[Ysabel Kid]

Sounds like a real good deal - again, if all original and in reasonable condition!

[KirkD]

Was that a takedown or a solid frame? It is pretty hard to find a Winchester Model 53 in good condition and unmessed with for under $1,500. So if that one is unsanded, uncut and not refinished, and the bore and action are good, that is a good deal. I can't find it either on the Cabela's gun library website.

[1886]

If she is "right", that is a he== of a deal. The Browning repros bring that much $$$. 1886.

[3leggedturtle]

Twas a solid frame, had no extra holes, metal was the typical silvery/gray patina. Stocks were "dark" and a few nicks and dings in them, but had a nice smoooth action and trigger. The magazine didnt stick out of the forend.

[RIHMFIRE]

Go to the cabelas site....go to the fine gun room..
find the gun in question and then post a link
so we can get a look at it!...we need pics to give you an idea...
Cabelas' fine gun room is always over priced IMHO!

[Pete44ru]

[Twas a solid frame, had no extra holes, metal was the typical silvery/gray patina. Stocks were "dark" and a few nicks and dings in them, but had a nice smoooth action and trigger. The magazine didnt stick out of the forend.]

I wouldn't sell that gun for a penny less than $1200, and would most likely be easily able to get more.

.

[3leggedturtle]

I have a load to pickup friday AM going to Ft Worth. Know where the first stop will be when i get there. If its still there will more than likely buy it. Was going to call them yesterday but that would take some of the anxiety away.

[KirkD]

I am currently researching the Winchester Model 53 in preparation for writing two articles on the rifle. Included in that research is the compilation of a database of surviving Model 53's. These are pretty rare guns, almost as rare as the Winchester Model 65. For example, out of 2,669 Winchesters that Cabela's Gun Library has sold or currently has for sale, only 3 Model 53's and 2 Model 65's are listed. For comparison, 70 Model 1892's are listed, 80 Model 1886's, 65 Model 1873's, and 18 Model 1876's. Out of approximately 500 Winchester rifles currently for sale on their website, only two Model 53's are currently in stock with one of them 'sale pending'. My data is suggesting that there were considerably fewer Model 53's made than what Madis estimated. If you can get your hands on an original, unmessed with Model 53 for that price, it is a keeper. The Winchester Model 53 is a very rare rifle.

[Sixgun]

I am currently researching the Winchester Model 53 in preparation for writing two articles on the rifle. Included in that research is the compilation of a database of surviving Model 53's. These are pretty rare guns, almost as rare as the Winchester Model 65. My data is suggesting that there were considerably fewer Model 53's made than what Madis estimated.

Kirk,
I agree with you to a point. In this area of "glut Winchesters", I too only run across 53's rarely. 65's even more rarely. Maybe one 53 a year and a 65 every two years. It was weird with me snagging both on the same day last week from two different people.

When I look at the numbers made and compare them with other guns that had a like number manufactured, it comes out pretty close to how often I see them. An example would be original S&W Model 24's of which 5K were made. I may run into 1 of these every year or two. S&W Triplelocks of which 14K (?) were made pass before me about once a year. Original 1895 Marlins (5K) sneak in front of my eyes every year or two. The ratio of 1894 Winchesters/1893 Marlins "made" vs "for sale" is about right.

This does not count when I attend the high dollar gun shows of Timonium Md. or the Cody Wy. show where you can find examples of each model in every caliber that are NIB

If you need any help in the research, let me know.--------------------Sixgun

[KirkD]

Sixgun, one way you can help me is to supply me with the serial number and a very brief description of any Model 53's you encounter (takedown or solid frame, tang site, etc.) I am compiling a database of surviving Model 53's as part of my research. For that Model 53 you picked up last week, I would be grateful for this information. Another prize pice of information is the barrel date. I seldom get those, so they are extra valuable. If you can, shoot me a PM.

[Mike D.]

One thing that's glaringly obvious is the vast difference in prices between the various Cabela's locations. The Ft. Worth store seems to have the highest prices for the least quality. Some of their what I consider "beater" Winchesters are priced in the mid $$$$. A much nicer gun at another Cabela's store might be marked half as much. Not all of their "gun experts" are cut from the same mold.

[32-20]

I picked up a 53 in 32-20 a few months ago, nice light rifle.

[KirkD]

I picked up a 53 in 32-20 a few months ago, nice light rifle.

I would be grateful if you could PM me with the serial number and a brief description, to add to my database. If it has a 4-digit serial number, I can tell you the exact day it was entered into the polishing room records.