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Winchester Model 55 Takedown
Winchester had a winner with its Model 1894, the first rifle made for smokeless propellant cartridges. But by the early 1920s, with the Wild West giving way to “urban wilderness,” the role of the Model 94 was being redefined as more outdoorsmen were traveling by motorcar and railroad in addition to horseback.
Thus, while the handy Model 94 carbine remained a favorite, the longer-barreled rifle was losing sales. Consequently, in 1924 Winchester introduced an “updated” version of the Model 94 rifle. The company dubbed it the Model 55 (not to be confused with the Winchester Model 55 top-loading, single-shot .22 rimfire of later years), in keeping with a similar policy for the Model 1892, which had become the Model 53.
The Winchester Model 55 was a rifle with a 24-inch barrel, an integral ramp front sight and a half-magazine that held three cartridges. It was initially chambered only in .30-30 Win., but .25-35 Win. and .32 Win. Spl. were added in 1926. For the first few years, the Model 55 carried its own set of serial numbers; however, in 1926, around serial number 2,865, the Model 55 reverted to serial numbers within the already established Model 94 range.
The earliest guns were made as takedowns, a nod to the popularity during that era of storing guns in closets or trunks or transporting them via bicycle or in suitcases. In 1930, solid-frame Model 55s were made available. Extra-order options, such as shorter or longer barrels, double-set triggers and half-octagon barrels, are known to exist. In 1932, with approximately 20,500 guns made, the Model 55 was discontinued to make way for the Winchester Model 64. There were enough spare parts in Winchester’s inventory, however, to keep the Model 55 in production until 1935, even though it was no longer catalogued.
This early Model 55 Winchester takedown is one of those guns I wish could talk. Its four-digit serial number puts it in the second year of manufacture, and although it shows signs of long, hard use, it has been taken care of, with no serious rust or pitting (although the link pin stop screw is an original replacement). The bore, too, remains shiny, and the rifling is sharp. As it came out of a ranch in Montana, no doubt it could tell tales of many deer hunts. It is a classic example of an early 20th century hunting rifle that, while still serviceable, is also increasingly collectible.
Gun: Winchester Model 55 (takedown)
Caliber: .30-30 Win.
Serial No.: 16XX
Condition: NRA Good (Modern Gun Condition Standards)
Manufactured: 1925 (note: 1,847 Model 55s were made that year)
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Much of the captured equipment, was incorporated into the Wehrmact, especially vehicles. Many of the trucks used during the invasion of Russia in 1941 were of French manufacture, & would continue to be produced in occupied French factories until liberation. German use of captured/confiscated equipment would become standard practice, & continue until the end of the war. In fact German use of foreign equipment was already under way before the war started.
The Wehrmact already utilized much first class equipment taken from Czechoslovakia whenever they occupied that country in 1938–39,especially weaponry such as the 38t tank, the ZB 26 & ZB 37 MGs,as well as optical instruents. The excellent Belgian made FN Browning “Hi Power” pistol continued in production in occupied Belgium throughout most of the war & large numbers were issued to the German military, especially the Waffen SS.
Not only vehicles & weaponry, but captured stocks of clothing were also utilized. Czech Army helmets were re-issued to German civilian organizations such as air raid wardens & the Fire Police. Kriegsmarine personelle, especially U Boat crews were often issued with British Army battle blouses,taken from large British stocks captured in 1940. French Army tropical shirts captured in 1940 saw widespread service by the Afrikakorps in North Africa as well. Even food was requisitioned, much taken after the fall of Tobruk in 1942. Canned British corned beef & canned fruit being especially prized.
A lot of Russian artillery was utilized by the Germans, the 76mm M1936 F22 anti tank gun for example, as well as captured T 34 tanks & small arms throughout the war on the Eastern Front. In North Africa, the Afrika Korps used captured British vehicles in large numbers. When Italy left the Axis in 1943, the Germans seized much Italian military equipment including vehicles, aircraft, & especially large stocks of cloth for the manufacture of uniforms. Much of the German weaponry used along the “Atlantik Wall” in France was of Czech, French, & Russian manufacture, even Polish machine guns were utilized. Germany received a second infusion of French equipment whenever it occupied the the remainder of France from Vichy in 1942.
Spare parts for vehicles, & as the war progressed, fuel, would become a problem for certain vehicles over time, but many vehicles ( as well as some aircraft, such as the Ju 52, & Fiesler Fi 56 “Storch”) continued to be produced in factories in occupied countries such as France & Czechoslovakia until the end of the war. Ammunition for captured weaponry could be produced in German factories, or sometimes the weapons converted to German calibers.
Captured British Battle Blouse taken from captured British stocks in France in 1940, & reissued to U Boat personelle, has removable German buttons, & German insignia added. (Collectors Weekly)
The excellent Belgian made 9mm “Hi Power”pistol. Large numbers were confiscated by the Germans after Belgium’s surrender in 1940. Large numbers continued to be produced in Belgian factories & issued to the German military. (Simpson Lmtd)
German soldier with Belgian Browning Hi Power 9mm pistol.
French M29 Light MG. Many of these weapons captured in 1940 were issued to German rear area security & Police units in Russia & Yugoslavia for use against partisan units.. (Rock Island Auction)
German soldier manning French made Hotchkiss MG along the Atlantic coast. (Bundarchv).
Renault AHR trucks. Not only did the Germans utilize captured trucks, they continued to manufacture the vehicles in the Renault factory in occupied France.
Captured Soviet T 34.
Captured British Ford truck, North Africa.
Waffen SS “M 43” field cap made from Italian military “Trikot” cloth . Large stocks of Italian cloth were seized by the Germans, after the Italian armistace in 1943, including camouflage, & used by the Germans in uniform manufacturing . (Collectors Guild)
Waffen SS officers wearing tunics & trousers made from Italian Army camouflage clothing material, large stocks of which were seized after the Italian armistace in 1943.