Difference between revisions of "J.C. Higgins Model 53"

From Firearm Wiki: The Internet Gun Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
The J.C. Higgins Model 53 is a bolt action rifle chambered in [[.30-06 Springfield]]. It is a re-branded [[Winchester Model 70]] (push feed model), manufactured for Sears, Roebuck and Co. under their "[[J.C. Higgins]]" sporting goods brand.  
+
The J.C. Higgins Model 53 is a bolt action rifle chambered in [[.30-06 Springfield]] (or possibly other cartridges). It is a re-branded [[Winchester Model 70]] (push feed model?), manufactured for Sears, Roebuck and Co. under their "[[J.C. Higgins]]" sporting goods brand.  
  
The Winchester Model 70 push feed model appears to have been made from 1964 to 1991. This means that the Model 53 was a very late rifle under the J.C. Higgins brand, which ran from 1908 to 1964. However, it seems that Sears, Roebuck and Co. ''did'' in fact also sell the Winchester Model 70 under their later "Ted Williams" sporting goods brand, which ran from 1961 to (?).
+
The Winchester Model 70 push feed model ''appears'' to have been made from 1964 to 1991. This means that the Model 53 was a very late rifle under the J.C. Higgins brand, which ran from 1908 to 1964. However, it seems that Sears, Roebuck and Co. ''did'' in fact also sell the Winchester Model 70 under their later "Ted Williams" sporting goods brand, which ran from 1961 to later on, but we need additional verification on end year. It does appear the rifle was also sold as the "Ted Williams Model 53" for some unknown amount of time - Possibly until 1973 according to [https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/how-di-i-tell-the-year-of-a-sears-model-53-rifle-4471746.html this thread].
 +
 
 +
== Confusion ==
 +
 
 +
Some have claimed, for example in the comments section of [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un1_mEiXfy8 (this YouTube video)], to have a Model 53 from earlier on (1960). Either some Model 53's were in fact pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 rifles, or perhaps this is a simple misidentification, or something else. In that same comments section, another user claims to have a Model 53 chambered in .308, so it's also possible the rifle was offered in other chamberings, though it seems .30-06 was likely the most common. What ''is'' clear, is that the Model 53 ''was'' sold under the "Ted Williams" branding at some point.
  
 
== Specifications ==
 
== Specifications ==

Revision as of 09:04, 23 May 2023

The J.C. Higgins Model 53 is a bolt action rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield (or possibly other cartridges). It is a re-branded Winchester Model 70 (push feed model?), manufactured for Sears, Roebuck and Co. under their "J.C. Higgins" sporting goods brand.

The Winchester Model 70 push feed model appears to have been made from 1964 to 1991. This means that the Model 53 was a very late rifle under the J.C. Higgins brand, which ran from 1908 to 1964. However, it seems that Sears, Roebuck and Co. did in fact also sell the Winchester Model 70 under their later "Ted Williams" sporting goods brand, which ran from 1961 to later on, but we need additional verification on end year. It does appear the rifle was also sold as the "Ted Williams Model 53" for some unknown amount of time - Possibly until 1973 according to this thread.

Confusion

Some have claimed, for example in the comments section of (this YouTube video), to have a Model 53 from earlier on (1960). Either some Model 53's were in fact pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 rifles, or perhaps this is a simple misidentification, or something else. In that same comments section, another user claims to have a Model 53 chambered in .308, so it's also possible the rifle was offered in other chamberings, though it seems .30-06 was likely the most common. What is clear, is that the Model 53 was sold under the "Ted Williams" branding at some point.

Specifications