Rare Winchester Model 43 .218 Bee Bolt Action Varmint Hunting Rifle With Checkered Stocks & Scope
Sold For: $1,010
Make: Winchester
Model: 43
Serial Number: 21940A
Year of Manufacture: 1949-1957
Caliber: .218 Bee
Action Type: Bolt Action With Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / MODEL 43-218 BEE”. The right side of the receiver is marked “21940A”. The scope rings are marked “Weaver Detachable PATS PEND. / TOP-3/4”.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into an elevated base and the rear sight is a leaf sight. There is no elevator. There is an unmarked scope with a target dot reticle. There is an obstruction on the right side of the lenses as viewed through the eyepiece. The scope is still usable. The glass could use some deep cleaning and polishing. The body of the scope shows light wear. This scope rates in about Good overall Condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is checkered walnut. There are a handful of scattered light compression marks. There are some compression marks in the checkering on the left side of the pistol grip. The pistol grip has a Winchester Repeating Arms Cap. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the steel buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows only a few light handling marks on the barrel as well as a hint of frosting. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The .218 Bee is a .224 caliber centerfire rifle cartridge designed for varmint hunting by Winchester in 1938 and was originally chambered in their lever-action rifles. The cartridge is named for the bore diameter of the barrel, not the bullet diameter. In terms of relative performance, the .218 Bee falls between the smaller .22 Hornet and the larger and more popular .223 Rem. The bore on this rifle is in great condition, so this rifle ought to be a tack driver. It ought to be especially good for rabbits past 100 yards where the energy of a .22 Long Rifle begins to fade.
