Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Did I find a rare model 63?

Hello, I was out on the prowl today for some ammo and walked into a gun shop that just took a model 63 in on trade. It looked a little different then ones I’d seen and picked it up. The rifle has a checkered stock and fore grip, a straight stock at that, and a 20” barrel. The gun is in very good shape and I walked out of the shop with it for $650. Can anyone give me some insights into the rifle and whether I did alright, thanks!

Steve

Pictures. We need pictures

Can someone post some pics for me?

A model 63 with an '03 butt stock fitted and aftermarket checkering. These pop up from time to time.

I don’t think so. The 03 buttstock is crescent and the 63 isn’t. But perhaps.

this is what all my 1903 stocks look like.

Then you think wrong. These are fairly common shooter grade rifles and the stocks are often aftermarket. As long as you're happy with it, I wouldn't spend much time fretting.

Well that’s disappointing. Oh well.

I bet the barrel was probably cut too. Normal length is 23”. I should’ve looked at it closer before buying.

Here are a few more pics...

Winchester made 2 differnt barrel lengths for the model 63. A 20" and a 23". The 20" barrels were made pre WWII. If your rifle has a serial # less than approximately 50,000 it very well could be an original 20" barrel. The 20" was made up to 1941. I can't add any info regarding the straight stock with checkering. It is correct that the model 03 had a crescent butt plate. The wood fit of the stocks seems fine and the coloring of the butt stock and forearm seem to match. There have been model 63's that were claimed to be deluxe or special order had checkering and fine figured stocks, however I cannot vouch to their authenticity.

Thank you for some constructive feedback! It’s serial number is 13,xxx so it was made in 1936, which upon further investigation, was in the 20” barrel timeframe. I had a Winchester collector from Minnesota look at it and he said that the Madis book did mention there were very few 63 straight stocks made and that they were very rare. So I’m hoping we got a winner. I don’t live far from the Rock Island Auction place and I’m hoping to have them look at it.

The early ones had the tangs drilled and tapped for a peep sight. Anyone happen to know what serial number range that stopped?

Nice rifle. I have two of them and enjoy shooting them

Lotsa bad info here.

The 1903 with 20 " bbl. was made until 1932....with a few going to 1936 .

After "The Rifleman" did a review of the 63 with a 20" bbl. , that was used in the 1st st years of production, and said the rifle would balance better with longer bb. the 63 grew a 23" bbl.

The 63's with the 20 " bbl are a little rare.

One thing to look for in the bbl. is the crown. The 20" bbls. in the '03's and the early 63's weren't crowned in the traditional way. The end of the bbl. looked like it was cut off in a lathe with a parting tool.

As George Madis told me years ago ..."there is nothing written in stone with Winchesters". Parts show up in production of guns that may be outta production especially in the "Boys" rifles , and said parts were assembled.

Here are some more pics...

Shoot the damn thing....nothing special.

That 2nd pic is what a factory bbl this vintage would look like ......as would a bbl. shortened inna lathe and not crowned.

I'm just another guy from out of town, no expert.

The wood grain, fit, and checkering say factory 20" 63 to me .....

I'm just another guy from out of town, no expert.

The wood grain, fit, and checkering say factory 20" 63 to me .....