Winchester Model 55 without serial number

[daisygordoninc]

I'm bidding on a Winchester Model 55 that does not have a serial number?
How common is that, does it make it more or less valuable?

[Chuck 100 yd]

I believe it would be less valuable to a collector. There would be no possibility of getting a factory letter.
Possibly a lunchbox special or an early reblue also. Are all the other normal markings intact?

[Pete44ru]

.

There are Winchester Model 55's, and there are Winchester Model 55's..............................

A Winchester Model 55 single-shot .22 rimfire's wouldn't have a SN, because they were all made prior to the 1968 GCA, when a SN became mandarory.

A Winchester Model 55 CF levergun, however, should have a SN, since all were serial-numbered - some sequentially with Model 94's & some with SN's allotted to the Model 55 levergun.

I wouldn't impart extra value to CF Model 55 w/o a SN - in fact, that would keep me from considering purchasing it, because I think the SN was removed for a nefarious purpose (i.e., to hide a crime).

FWIW, while SN's were not reguired of any fireams made prior to GCA-68; GCA-68 also not only makes it a Federal Offense to deface/mar/remove/alter the SN of ANY gun that was originally made with a SN, GCA-68 also make possession of a firearm with a defaced'altered/removed/etc SN.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/27/478.34

No person shall knowingly transport, ship, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered, or possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

[T.D. ATF-313, 56 FR 32508, July 17, 1991]


If push ever came to shove, BATF has a method/technology to raise a removed/altered SN.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Pete44ru , I forgot about the little single shot rimfire. Maybe that is what he is bidding on?

[daisygordoninc]

It appears to be reblued, but it is in every other way a real Winchester 55, all other markings are normal.
There just isn't a serial number.

[Pisgah]

If it's a pre-'68 .22 single shot being referred to, there are MILLIONS of such out there with no serial number.

[daisygordoninc]

It is not a 22, it's a regular 32 special with all the factory markings of a model 55.

[Hawkeye2]

Pre '68 all guns except .22s and shotguns had serial numbers and it was illegal to remove or deface them even then. The better .22s and shotguns did have serial numbers though not required. I think I would steer clear of that one.