Another Winchester Model 59 question

00scoots

I bumbled into the following auction, can anyone confirm any of this information regarding, "Winchester Model 59 vented barrel. Extremely Rare"?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=90971820

Thanks

rufe-snow

Don't look factory to me. The workmanship sure don't look like anything a Winchester inspector would have let out of the plant in the 50's. Looks like something that came out of Bubba's basement, though.

Fairlane66

This barrel, reported to be an experimental pre-production example, has been on GunBroker several times. I don't know if it's the real deal or not, but it sure is ugly! Perhaps that's one reason it never made it into production. However, the finish on Model 59 barrels is somewhat fragile and any attempt to swag a metal rib through the fiberglass onto the inner steel tube would have been problematic. A good metal-to-fiberglass fit would have been difficult to achieve, both practically and cosmetically. In fact, most used Model 59 barrels I have seen show some degree of separation between the inner steel tube and the outter fiberglass wrapping, especially at the muzzle. A poorly fitting rib would have been unsightly and could have resulted in water intrusion--not a good outcome. Securing good fit and finish on a mass production scale would have been time consuming and costly, the latter being a real problem for Winchester at a time when they were struggling to keep production costs under control. Remember, the Model 59 existed at the same time the decision was made to move away from the much loved but costly Pre-64 Model 70 to the maligned Post-64 version. Of course, this is all just my opinion. As a Model 59 fan, I'd love to hear from someone with firsthand knowledge of this barrel.

bobski

if it was a factory rib, it wouldnt have simmons front glow bead on it. it would have a winchester bradley bead. the way i see it, someone sent their bbl to simmons and had a simmons rib put on it.

bobski

i'll talk with the guys that made the m59 this weekend.

00scoots

Thank you for all of the info!!!

I thought it looked kind of "funky"!!

Looking over the fixed choke WinLite barrel that I have, it looked like it would be quite an expensive challenge to fit a vent rib onto this type of barrel, and then to get it to stay secure would be another challenge.

The extended VersaLite choke just doesn't look right with a vent rib on this barrel. [xx(]

only winchesters

Good morning 00scoots: Well it's rare that Simmons didn't do many! LOL The real problem was with the rib posts. Since the barrel liner was wrapped with fiber glass line, then had an "epoxy" coating, the rib posts had to be put on with an adheasive. The coating on the barrel is the weak point, it just doesn't hold up well to handling, (wears off easily). the rib post will separate over time especially using standard 1 1/3oz field loads. dove and quail loads it will last longer.

The relationship between Winchester and Simmons ended in late 1958 early 1959. The Md 59 barrel with the Versalite extended choke tubes didn't come out until 1963. Winchester used "bead sights" period. It should have a Bradly red or on special order a Bradly white front sight if it was "Winchester fatory". As already stated the Simmons "glow worm" sight is the standard sight they have been using since about 1965!!

The barrel is not classified as a "collector piece", however it is a hard to find barrel with the Versalite choke tubes. Since it comes with 2 tubes, (Imp/Cyl and Mod.) it's value or what someone could expect to pay on the parts market, ($150-$250.) Full choke tubes are the easiest to find, usually sell for $15.-25. If your a quail or dove shooter, and have a 59, it might be worth having.

Regards Dave

bobski

did anyone notice the bow in the rib?[:o)] imagine trying to shoot that bbl? odds are, you wont see the front sight![:I] you mean my versilite chokes are worth 150 today? wow, i have 3 new ones! no one here in new haven will vouch for that bbl. its a home grown butcher job.

00scoots

quote:Originally posted by bobski
did anyone notice the bow in the rib?[:o)]
Yes, I did, but I first thought that it was MY glasses! [;)]

imagine trying to shoot that bbl? odds are, you wont see the front sight![:I]
That's what I was thinking, or you'd have to rest your chin on top of the comb!!! You'd be putting your dentist's kid thru college!!! [;)]

you mean my versilite chokes are worth 150 today? wow, i have 3 new ones! no one here in new haven will vouch for that bbl. its a home grown butcher job.
I wouldn't fess up to that level of craftsmanship, either! [:D]