Very interesting Model 43. In my opinion (my guess and only a guess) is, if it is in fact factory made that it was made, one of a kind, for in house testing for the .22 Win. Mag RF cartridge being developed in the late 1950's. Winchester didn't have a .22RF rifle to do the testing (69A was too short, 61 was modified later, model 52?, etc.). The magazine on this rifle is not regular factory production, looks hand made in comparison to my .22 Hornet Mod. 43 magazine (no logo). It wouldn't have been too difficult to make a rimfire front bolt section and add it to the regular Mod. 43 bolt rear section. Again, just a guess. Interesting nevertheless.

 

That was my thought as well. Might been a prototype or Winchester wanted to have a rifle that would be strong enough to handle increased pressure of the larger & more powerful .22 Rimfire Magnum.

The detachable magazine does look like it's a .22 Hornet Magazine, much too long for a .22 Magnum. Also they would need to have a bolt for a "rimfire" cartridge as Winchesters Model 43 were for centerfires only.

It is a neat looking rifle, too bad they don't offer it today as I bet it would be a seller (but NOT at $4,999) I own a Winchester Model 43 Deluxe in .25-20 Win. and it is one of the most accurate rifle in my collection. At one time I even had 43's in .218 Bee, .32-20, but had never been able to find one in .22 Hornet. This was before we all had a computer with access to the internet.:bthumb:

 

I don't like the checkering pattern on the pistol grip, it's not right for a 43 Deluxe. I have a hard time swallowing that Winchester made a special rimfire bolt (remember, the firing pin offset for a rimfire) and custom magazine.

Winchester DID have a rifles to test the 22WMR... the 1890, single shots (1885 test actions), model 67 WRF's, 68 WRF's, the model 70 test actions, and the 61 WRF.

 

Seems strange no close up photo of logo and caliber stamping on the barrel. My 43 Hornet Dlx didn't have that gloss polished blue or the deep checkering.

 

Let me add some information for thought...

The Model 43 was actually only manufactured from May 19th, 1948 through December 28th, 1953. It was listed in the catalogs through 1957 because Winchester needed to sell the remaining stock on hand.

I have access to the serialization records for all of the Model 43 rifles that were manufactured. I recently started a research survey for an article that I will publish about them. If anyone is interested in the survey, please contact me via PM or at Win1885@msn.com

The checkering on that rifle is not factory original. The serial number was applied to the receiver on 9/27/1951. In my opinion, the rifle is not factory original.

Bert H.

 

Thanks very much for the info. on this particular Winchester Model 43 in question.