Photo of an original Model 53 32-20 made in 1926

[KirkD]

In 1924, Winchester decided to produce an extra lightweight version of the Model 1892, and called it the Model 53. There were only just over 15,000 ever produced. This one is a 32 WCF (32-20) made in 1926 and is in original, high condition. According to my database of 226 surviving Model 53's, the ratios indicate that less than 6,000 of them were chambered in 32-20.

[Ysabel Kid]

OMG is that goregous. I should know better than to open a KirkD post without having a drool rag handy!

[kimwcook]

Really nice 53 and pics there, Kirk. So what's the story. Yours? I love my Browning repro. Gotta take it to the range again. The first outing with Remington factory loads it didn't do so well.

[JerryB]

Beautiful rifle Kirk. Are those rounds loaded with that 115 grain hardcast?

[ollogger]

thats a very fine & rare beauty there kirk great gun!
oh & that maple leaf nice touch of class
great photo ollogger

[KirkD]

Jerry they are. Those same bullets you sent me. They give me 2 & 1/2 " five shot groups at 100 yards.

KIMWCOOK, yes, this sweet little rifle is mine.

[JerryB]

Sure proud that you can use them, you know what they did in my rifle. That is good enough for a head shot on a nice fat doe should the chance come up. When does your rifle season open?

[KirkD]

Less than two weeks, Jerry. I plan to use my original Winchester 1876 45-60.

[kimwcook]

Kirk, sad to say, you make me envious. BUT, I do have one. Not original but still a beautiful piece.

[KirkD]

Well, those Browning Model 53's are absolutely gorgeous.

[Alphawolf45]

Beautiful rifle ..What is extra light weight about that one? ..Is the receiver any smaller than regular '92?

[Chuck 100 yd]

SWEET !!

[kaschi]

Nice rifle Kirk! I inherited a Model 53 Takedown in 25-20 with a tale I'll tell at the end of my post. It's in nice shape but not as nice as yours. The SN is 3XXX (I've heard that some 53's had SN's which were in the same range as the 92's).

Now the tale. It's not much of one but nonetheless a part of my 53's history: My aunt received that rifle from her old boyfriend back in the WWII era and she could never get rid of it because it (and a ring!) reminded her of him. So now I have it, and it reminds me of her (and him as well even though he and I never met).

[Dave B]

Very nice!!!

Dave B

[1894c]

WOW, and I mean wow--very nice... :)

[pwl44m]

Nice Kirk, makes Mine look kinda shabby,but it's Mine bought and paid for. Seems all I can afford r the lessers of any given model. I would think U would have more rifles in Ur data base, but as I think about it thay r kinda scarce.
Perry

[KirkD]

Beautiful rifle ..What is extra light weight about that one? ..Is the receiver any smaller than regular '92?

The 'extra lightweight' term was actually used for a special lightweight version of the Model 1886. The solid frame extra lightweight 1886 looks almost identical to the Model 53, except the Model 53 is smaller and in the Model 1886 version, the mag was slightly longer. That is why I refer to the Model 53 as an extra lightweight version of the Model 1892. The Model 53 receiver is identical to and interchangeable with the Model 92 receiver. In fact, during the last 1/3 of Model 53 production, they simply used Model 92 receivers serialized with Model 92 serial numbers. Early in production, they had their own serial range.

The Model 53 was chambered in 25-20, 32-20 and 44-40. The 44-40 version is extremely rare, with only just over 2,000 ever produced. The Model 53 was the end of the line for the 44-40 cartridge until recent times. The 25-20 and 32-20 continued in the Model 65, which began to be produced in the early 1930's after the Model 53 had been discontinued.

[Pitchy]

Double cool

[.45colt]

It's a bueat for sure,but it would make Me nuts trying to keep it like it is. .

[KirkD]

It's a bueat for sure,but it would make Me nuts trying to keep it like it is. .

You got that right for sure. I've owned it for over a year, but I'm afraid to use it, it's in too high of a condition. I've decided to put it up for sale up here in Canada in the next day or so, so that I can purchase a more well-used 32-20 instead that I can carry and shoot to my heart's content.

[.45colt]

Kirk, a few years ago I had a Uberti '73 Sporting Rifle that was just flawless and I ended up selling it for the same reason. You should be able to get several "shooters" for what this one will bring. Good Luck.

[Washita]

Beautiful!! I'd love to see somebody--Browning or Rossi, maybe--make a reissue of these in .327 Federal Mag. or .32 H&R mag! Or even the original .32-20.

[gamekeeper]

Beautiful and so useful too, they don't come any cooler than that!

[twobit]

Kirk,

Great rifle! What would it take to get it to Texas? Is that possible?

Michael

[damienph]

Kirk, I don't know how I missed this post of yours but that is one beautiful rifle. I've never really been attracted to the 1/2 mag tube models but seeing these pictures, I do believe that they are growing on me.

Thanks for sharing, and inspiring.

[kevin in nh]

I know what you mean about its to good to use.....I finally picked up a Winchester 71 Deluxe.....98%+....great, but to nice to take in the woods......2 weeks later out of the blue another is in front of me....scrap up the money as it was to good to pass.....98%++(both are short tangs).....I finally got a Standard 1937 long tang honest wear 92/95 and no worries about taking it out and enjoying it.....your 53 is in a class by it self.....a beauty in rare condition......k

[Buck Elliott]

I had one, many years ago, that had a receiver marked Model 1892 on the tang, and Model 53 on the barrel. I don't remember the SN range.
It was a .32-20, and had been hard used, before I picked it up in a shop in Delta, Utah. Never could get it to shoot well, with either cast or jacketed bullets, so I traded it off
I do remember that I paid 80 Bucks for it...

[Sixgun]

Kirk,
How did I miss this post?--------Man! That baby looks like new money. Can I have it? ---------Sixgun

[Canuck Bob]

Wow, Kirk. What a beauty.