A WInchester Model 63 .22 semiauto rifle. This one made in 1945 w/a bbl dated '42. Smooth top rec'vr.
I restocked it with some pretty nice AmWalnut, I was able to cut the butt stock and forend from the same piece, I found the original stock block/blank at a gun show. The very short OAL of the blank probably was why it sat unsold for some time dispite the nice figure.

I checkered it w/a close copy of the Winchester 'B-Carve' pattern,,26lpi IIRC. Then engraved the metal w/a not very close approximation of their #8 pattern. About the only link w/my pattern to the original #8 is that there are game scenes on both sides of the rec'vr in circles/ovals. They didn't go quite so extensive but then they only charged about $10 back in the day!

There's a gold rabbit in low relief on either side of the rec'vr..a gold squirrel in flush inlay on the top in an oval. Double gold bbl bands at breech and muzzle.
New blue (rust) and all the insides cleaned up back to looking factory new. The animal inlays are done w/gray tone background to their respective circles that they are within. That is done w/careful selective bluing removal and polishing the area to bring the 'color' of the steel up to where you want it,,always color within the lines!
It leaves the gold inlay itself alone as far as any damage unless you polish over it and remove any of your work. It also has the tendency to leave any background detail engraved for effect (woodland scene for example) as darkened engraving cuts instead of bright even though the blue has been removed from the cuts as well as the surface. Something a little different nice effect I think.

It was a filthy mess to start with and had some extensive pitting on the forward area of the bottom of the trigger guard assembly. I think it had been stored separate in TD mode from the upper recv'r.
Normal handling dings, dents and scratches and wear from use,,perfect bore and chamber,, so it was a good candidate.
It got a good workout in many range sessions before being upgraded.
These pics are pretty bad but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.
I'll try and get some better ones camera and weather permitting.









Sorry,,this pic really washed out!

Wow ! What an absolute gem ! You're to be congratulated.

Larry

Everything on the grill must be shot with that gun, better get busy.

Gorgeous work! The Winchester 63 is my favorite semi-auto .22 and I don't think they get enough love, so it's nice to see them in any condition, but wow! That looks great!

That would be some nice BBQ !

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NRA Benefactor

That is a .22 i could have use for, (very nice)
and it would make a nice companion to my 1910

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Jamie wants big boom

When I was a kid, I always wanted a Winchester Model 63. I had to settle for a Remington Model 550-1. But that's another story.

Time marches on, and around 12 years ago, I bought the Taurus knockoff of the Model 63 fairly inexpensively (I think around $200) and it is a gem. The fit and finish are flawless, the only deficiency being the wood. It is devoid of grain, and the finish was dull and flat. I gave the stock and fore-end a couple of coats of Tru-Oil and that made it look 100% better. I also mounted a red dot sight on the receiver. Currently, it's my favorite .22 rifle. Sadly, I think the Taurus 63 is no longer made, I haven't even seen any used ones recently.

The month that I was born in 1939, my Dad went shopping for "my" first guns. He selected a Winchester M 63 and a Winchester M 12 in 20 ga. He used the 20 ga. extensively until I was 12 y.o. when I started hunting. He didn't use the W 63 much, so it is in great shape. He was never big on using extreme care while using guns, so while I was working in the gun shop during my college years, I refinished the stock and reblued the Win. M 12, 20ga. Of course I still own both. I have no heirs whatsoever, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. .....

BTW, the Win. M 63 is the first firearm that I ever shot at the age of 3 or 4 with the help of my Dad on the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Range. That image is still very clear in my memory.

I just hate people with talent. It takes me decades to get average at anything. Just WOW!

Gorgeous!!!

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

WOW!!! Extraordinary work!!!

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PTLAPTA!

I just discovered that old expression about your mouth dropping open in amazement is true.

I was going to make some smart alec remark about ruining the collector value with a refinish, but I just can't. Words fail me.

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I need ammo, not a ride.