The first Winchester Model 53 was serialized on June 18, 1924 with a total of 40 serialized by the end of that first month. By the beginning of September, when this National Sportsman issue came out, a total of just 661 Model 53 rifles had been serialized. Since that was the very first step in building a rifle, the actual number completed may have been slightly less. I think we can safely say that this advertisement was the very first official layout design for advertising the Model 53.
The big question in my mind is, what month did Winchester start running this ad in the National Sportsman? Chances are, with a total production of no more than 661 rifles by September 1st, this was the first month they started advertising and shipping. However, if anyone here has earlier copies from 1924, I would be very grateful if you could check to see if this advert appeared before the September issue.
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/Model-53-Advert-1924-Full_zpseebagy7v.jpg)