Winchester Model 57 .22 LR Bolt-Action Rifle – 1927 Production with Lyman 57EW Aperture Sight
This Winchester Model 57 is an early 1927-production example of the company’s pioneering bolt-action rimfire. Serial number 6705 falls within the 3,194–9,001 block manufactured in 1927. The Model 57 was Winchester’s first .22 LR to combine a detachable magazine with factory-installed receiver aperture sights, and this rifle retains its correct Lyman 57EW micrometer rear sight and Patridge front blade. Collectors value these early guns for their low production totals—only about 19,281 were made between 1927 and 1936—and for the build quality that defined Winchester’s pre-war era.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Moderate scratching, scuffing, finish loss, pitting, and blemishing are visible on external metal surfaces. The walnut stock shows scattered handling marks but remains solid with intact checkering.
What’s Included
- One original 5-round steel detachable magazine
Introduced to compete with the popular sporting .22s of the day, the Model 57 was engineered as a full-size training and small-game rifle that mirrored the feel of Winchester’s centerfire bolt actions. This rifle’s 22-inch carbon-steel barrel wears its original rust-blue finish and is paired with a matching blued receiver.
The factory walnut stock features a pistol-grip wrist, beavertail fore-end, and fine checkering for secure handling. Sling-swivel studs are factory inlets, making it ready for field carry without modification.
Functionality is straightforward: a smooth single-stage trigger, five-round detachable magazine, and positive bolt-mounted safety. The Lyman 57EW rear aperture sight offers precise elevation and windage adjustments, giving the shooter a clear advantage over the open barrel sights found on many contemporary rimfires.
For collectors, the rifle’s documented 1927 production status and low serial set it apart. For shooters, it remains a classic American rimfire built from quality walnut and carbon steel.