Sears, Roebuck and Co. Model 53a

brimickri

Hello all,

I bought a Sears model 53a chambered in 30-06 at a local gun show last weekend. The dealer I bought it from said it was made by Savage, but when I brought it home and compared it to my brand new Winchester model 70 super shadow, I realized it was actually a Winchester as well! I cross- referenced it on the web and it in fact is a model 70a. I've never heard of this model before, and I would be interested in any info. that you might have on it. I would really like to know when this rifle was produced and when they were sold by Sears. What year did Sears stop selling these firearms, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks,
Brian

1KYDSTR

This is a bit of a simplified answere and you will no doubt get much more comprehensive answeres but the gun in question is simply a bargain priced and non ornamented Winchester. I am pretty sure it is, however a pre-64 action though the wood is much lower quality and likely not checkered. Many good quality famous maker guns were made by well respected companies for Sears over the years and present an excellent value even if not considered really collectable, as you well know!

"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)

He Dog

There was a recent question about his model and the asker ended up doing some research. Date is determined (approximately) my serial number. These were numbered in the same series as the model 70, and you can look up the serialization in the blue book, or drop me an e-mail and I will check the books tonight. Fine way to get a Model 70 at a very modest price. Little collector value on these, but you bought it to shoot anyway.

He Dog

brimickri

Hey thanks guys, I will try looking it up, and comparing it to Winchester's serial numbers. I also emailed searsarchives.com, and I'm waiting to hear from them. He DOg the serial number will be sent to you in an email in a few minutes. How can I tell if it's pre-64 or not? You guys are also right about the stock it is plain wood, but beautiful blonde wood, it is!! I did buy this as a shooter, for my wife mostly. She wants to go moose and deer hunting with me this fall. Like I said in my first post, I have a new super shadow in 7mm WSM and I can't wait to try it out in the woods.[:D]

He Dog

Will check it tonight and get back to you with what I have. Should be able to get you a date and maybe some more information from Rule's book.

He Dog