Here's another draft article for you to peruse! As always, comments welcome.

Best,
John

The Winchester Model 64 Rifle



In 1971, to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the NRA, the National Rifle Association authorized the Winchester Repeating Firearms Company to manufacture two special rifles to commemorate the event. Both were based on the John Browning-designed Model 94 lever action rifle. One was a “musket” that had a full-length stock in the old military style often seen on the early Winchester “Winder” high-wall single shot rifles. To my mind, it was ungainly if not outright ugly. The other was an extremely graceful rifle that mimicked the long-out-of-print Winchester Model 64. This one was aesthetically pleasing. It had a 24-inch barrel, a short 2/3 length tubular magazine, and a pistol-grip butt stock matched by a curved operating lever. Both these guns had a commemorative medallion imbedded in the butt stock. I could not get that second rifle out of my mind, as the configuration seemed just right and more attractive than most Model 94s I had yet seen. So I bought one. I soon regretted it and sold it. For one thing, commemorative firearms are intended to be preserved unfired. Firing them almost always reduces their value. I would not fire it. Secondly, this post-1964 rifle utilized cheesy stampings, a cast receiver that had to be “blackened” as it did not take traditional bluing well, and wood-to-metal fit that was less than perfect. Its outline was nice, but on close inspection, it failed to live up to traditional (pre-1964) craftsmanship. What that rifle did do for me was instill a desire to own a real pre-1964 Model 64 in well-preserved condition.

Fast-forward to the year 2013. Cruising a local gun show, I noticed a for-sale rifle standing upright in a rack. It looked familiar, so I asked to handle it. My dreams had come true. It was a beautiful early Winchester Model 64 in stunning original condition. The deep bluing was outstanding, and it came complete with a (probably) factory-equipped Redfield peep rear sight! The near-perfect walnut stock had just a few very minor dings in the factory finish, belying the fact that this rifle was probably born in the 1930s. The wood-to-metal fit was absolutely on the money in every respect. The seller said he had obtained it from the estate of an old gentleman who claimed that he had bought it new, as his family recalled, around 1939. It was quite evident that it was seldom, if ever, used and carefully maintained. My negotiating skills went into high gear, and the result was that I walked away with that incredibly beautiful Winchester.

I immediately sent off a request to the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming. The people there maintain many of the original Winchester manufacturing records. All they could tell me was that they found a Model 94 receiver serial number that matched the one on my rifle, and it showed it was serial-stamped in 1936. It’s worth noting that Model 94 and Model 64 receivers all came from the same bins, and further manufacturing determined the particular model number assigned. Usually, receivers were made into rifles within a year or so following the application of the serial number.

I have a Winchester sales catalog that dates from 1939, and it gives a revealing glimpse of the Model 64 as made in that era. To quote that catalog: “Meets high standards in quick and accurate handling and all-around efficiency, improved N.R.A. type walnut stock with steel butt plate and full pistol grip; walnut forearm, solid frame, with a choice of 24” or 20” barrel, except .219 Zipper has 26” only. Two-thirds magazine, holding five cartridges, making - with one in the chamber - a six-shot repeater …weight approximately 7 to 7¼ lbs., according to caliber and barrel length.” It showed that the available chamberings were .219 Zipper, 25-35, .30-30 or .32 Winchester Special. My rifle is chambered for the widely available .30-30, and has the 24” barrel. The catalog also lists a Model 64 “Deer Rifle” which was often called the “deluxe” model. It had special styling, checkering on the stock and forearm, and was equipped with a 1” sling using quick-detachable sling swivels. The pistol grip was finished with a blued steel cap. Double-set triggers could be had on special order. This rifle was offered in .30-30 or .32 Winchester Special calibers only.

Historically, the Model 64 stems from the Model 55, which was first offered around 1924 and finally discontinued in 1935. It had a Model 94 receiver, a 24” barrel, and a half magazine. About 21,000 were manufactured over its production life. In 1933, the Model 64 was introduced, slated to supersede the Model 55. It was configured as related in the 1939 catalog quote above. The 20” barrel option was first offered in 1934. The .219 Zipper “varmint” variation was introduced in 1937. That cartridge was simply the .30-30 with its neck reduced in caliber to .22. Some rare ones in this caliber were made with 20” inch barrels instead of the standard 26”. A few very rare .32-40 and .38-55s were made through 1937 – beware of fakes!

Model 64 receivers were drilled and tapped for receiver peep sights, and the factory could provide these on the guns, usually of Lyman or Redfield make. It’s entirely possible that the Redfield sight on my gun was factory installed. The standard barrel-mounted rear sight had a central sliding elevator and a fine-tune replaceable stamped thin blued-metal notch plate which was available in varying heights. The entire sight could be drifted right or left in its barrel notch for windage adjustment. The front sight was a hooded bead type on a ramp integral with the barrel, not laterally adjustable. The forearm was of the “semi-beavertail” type, not bulbous, but fairly slim, secured by a blued steel cap. It’s been claimed that gun writer and famous shooter Col. Townsend Whelen had a hand in the design.

Winchester ceased production of the Model 64 in 1942, when it began production of military arms for WWII. Production began again in 1948 in .30-30 and .32 Winchester Special only. Some hard rubber buttplates were evidently made as substitutes for the standard steel variety. Production of the post-war rifles was terminated in late 1957. Total production numbers are not easily estimated due to the commonality of Model 94 and Model 64 receiver serial numbers, but probably over 66,000 were made.

Around 1972, perhaps prompted by its manufacture of the NRA commemorative rifle, Winchester attempted a revival of the Model 64, but utilizing the “blackened” post-1964 cast receivers. These rifles were equipped with quick-detachable sling swivels and M1907-style leather slings. All were in .30-30 caliber. These Model 64A’s were not well received, and production was stopped in 1973. In 2015, Winchester offered exactly 250 Model 64 reproductions, made by Miroku in Japan, exclusively for Cabella’s sporting goods stores. These were equipped with tang safeties, were well made, and fairly expensive.

Original Model 64s made in the “quality” pre-war years are exceptionally graceful, easy handling, fast-operating and nearly perfect deer rifles. I would vote them as among the most handsome of all the Winchester lever action rifles. I am glad to have found one in exceptional condition. If you come across one, snap it up before the knowledgeable guy or gal behind you has a chance to see it! These are classic firearms and well worth finding.

(c) 2016 JLM

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I have always liked the look of the 64s. But never have owned
one, or even handled one.
Congrats on your find.

Great article...I also love the 64 Winchester. The one below is in .32 Special.
Bob

Some observations...

Prices plummet quickly on Winchester 94 commemorative rifles or carbines, starting with the lack of the shipping box and papers. Any dings or "rack wear" starts dropping prices like a stone. And some commemoratives were made either in numbers too large or were simply not desirable nor sought after, with the result that in some cases they are barely worth more than a plain gun anyway. The point is if the commemorative is not nearly perfect and you can get it at a good price, go ahead and shoot it. I have a Legendary Lawmen trapper that had a couple of flaws and was actually cheaper than a regular trapper. It gives heart palpitations to those who see it, but I had no qualms about shoot it and taking it afield. Ditto a Browning 1885 Wyoming Centennial 25-06. Despite the engraving and inlays, it's been taken on coyote and deer hunts and the wood now has dings.

You might mention that the grip and lever are even more curved than those on the curved grip 1894 rifles. Winchester consulted with Townsend Whelen, and the more pronounced grip style was used on the 71, 64 and 65. Whelen also suggested the fatter forends as well.

And prices are up on Model 64s. As recently as a decade ago they'd go begging for a buyer, and now are becoming collector's items.

"...A few very rare 32-20 and 38-55s were made through 1937 – beware of fakes! ..."

I think '32-20' should read 32-40'

FWIW, the double set trigger WInchester offered as an option on it's lever actions was a 'Close Coupled Double Set'. Designed especially so there was no need to re-design the triggerguard/leverloop for more room for the DST mechanism.
The triggers are nearly back to back in relationship to save space but work nearly the same,,push the rear trigger ForwARD to set,,fire by using the front trigger.
An adj screw is found behind the rear trigger in the tang.
The close coupled DST was also an option on the 1885 Single Shot.

added
Great rifles the 64 &55, Took the place of the 94 rifle configurations that were no longer made.
I like the earlier pistol grip configuration of the 94 stock personally,,but the 64 is a handsome firearm.
I ran accross a 92Win SRC in 44-40 that someone had kind of fitted a M64 stock to it. Bent the lower tang & lever to get it on there. They should have left the old gal alone!
I have since refitted the tang and lever to a WIn style pistol grip stock and gave it a new forend too. Needs finish and checkering but it shoots nice.

I bought my Winchester 64A (the plain version – Not the NRA commerative) in 1972 or possibly early 1973 at the nearby Woolworths where a friend of mine worked in Sporting Goods. He let me pick the better of the two Model 64As that had come in. The rifle came from the factory with an inch-and-a-quarter M1907 style sling but 1 inch (?) QD swivels; the forend tip has a hole for the front swivel machined into it. This rifle has a machined lifter rather than the miserable-looking stamped lifter that had been introduced with the 1964 redesign. Perhaps it’s an optical illusion but it looks to me like the Model 64As have less drop in the comb and a less cramped lever loop than the original Model 64s. Regardless of the changes, it is an elegant-looking lever gun and probably the last one I’d get rid of.

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Someone post a good, sharp pic of the Model 64 Deer Rifle, the fancy one with a pistol grip cap and checkering. It and the same idea in the bigger M-71 were among the classiest lever action rifles of all time.

Right you are! Cross-fire of the old brain and a slip of the fingers on the keys!

John

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I agree that there are some subtle differences in the lever and the stock between the 1936 and 1972 Model 64s. I reversed the shot of my gun to give the same orientation, and have compared it here to yours. This may give a clearer idea of the changes.

John

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Here is the 1939 Winchester catalog listing for the two Model 64s - the differences are outlined here.

The photo is of a 64 Deer Rifle being sold at auction right now.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

The pre 64 model 64's are a real class act. I have never found one that was not molested one way or another, but they are high on my list. Congrats on your rifle!

Enjoyed the article

Agree that the 64 is a classy rifle to own and shoot even though it is basically a dressed up 94

On the other hand, I have no use for commemoratives

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