Win Mod 43 218Bee

17mach4

I've read posts from 218Beekeeper about 43's being "tapped or un-tapped", I have one with a scope so obviously it's tapped, but was this a factory job or done later? Did the factory ship them un-tapped until a certain s# and then tap them after that point in time? Thanks much; 17mach4.

218Beekeep

17mach4,sorry that I don`t know for sure,but on one post here a guy was explaining it ,very convincigly.He was saying things like..non checkerd guns were non tap.But recently a guy was telling me some were.Mine is plain, has no notch cut out for a receiver sight.It does have semi-buckhorn rear sights.In case it helps at all,the serial # on mine is228##A (left out a couple digits).I realy should get to know the subject a little better,often a non factory tap job will be obvious...the metal will be bulged at the surface,around the hole.I`d like to have a scoped 43,the book says something like subtract 60% if not factory tapped.This means mine is worth only $160."he,he,he"I am mostly into Savage rifles,I`m just a guy with a couple of bees.

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Will the last reb to leave flarda,please bring the flag?[This message has been edited by 218Beekeep (edited 10-02-2001).]

17mach4

Thanks Beekeep, I've seen a fair number of 43's over the years and never seen one that was checkered, but I never noticed if they were tapped. Thanks again.

218Beekeep

Lets keep eachother posted,also someone will probably be along to ad something here.

AntiqueDr

43's as a rule were not factory drilled/tapped. There was a "Special" or "Deluxe" grade that had upgraded, checkered wood. These rifles were offered with either the open sporting rear sight OR the Lyman 57A micrometer sight. A few of these Deluxe Grades were factory drilled/tapped toward the end of production in the mid-50's. The only ones that would have been factory drilled were the Deluxes fitted with open sights. It is conceivable that other Deluxes might have been special ordered drilled, but I doubt it. I have never seen, nor heard convincing proof of, a standard rifle factory drilled/tapped and would be extrememly suspicious of one so offered for sale.

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17mach4

Thanks Dr. for the concise info. Could you recommend any good resource books for this and other old Win. rifles, we're really short on good gun books at the public libraries around my area? I tend to collect more along the lines of "shooters" than true "collectables" so I'm not as suspicious but it sure can't hurt to know as much as I can about the pieces I buy. Thanks much; 17mach4.

Guns & Glass

Best way to find out is send/pay for a factory letter if it's that important.Trying to determine orginality can be like following the trail of a rabbit.I had a mint 43 Deluxe uncheckered. Gorgeous wood! Rifle was orginal from butt plate to muzzle. Only flaw was a tiny dent I put there. Winchester collectors displaying at gun shows were divided as to the holesNever shot it, eventually wholesale'd it to a collector.Winchester's "1 of 1000" book is a good reference source to have.

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Happy Bullet Holes![This message has been edited by Guns & Glass (edited 10-03-2001).]

32wsl

Try "The History of Winchester Firearms 1866-1966" by George Watrous. It would have answered all of your questions on the m43. Plus many others.

YankeeClipper

Mine was tapped for a scope, AND AND squared off and a recoil pad added. You sure need a recoil pad with a .218 BEE ;But I was so hungry for one I bought it. Probably wouldn't sell it eather.

218Beekeep

Hey clipper,I have a Marlin 1894 CL in 218 Bee,with a factory recoil pad.I sure wish it had hard rubber instead.

17mach4

Thanks all for the responses, I'll hunt up the recommended book. Thanks 32wsl. 218Beekeeper, I've got a 94CL with the hard buttplate, wonder why they made both, oh well, aren't guns fun!! Thanks again. 17mach4.