HW55T Serial Numbers

[MattyBoy]

Hello Gentlemen and Ladies

I am trying to confirm whether the back block and cylinder on my 1966 HW55T are carrying the original barrel or not.

The BB and Cylinder are the six-digit serial number 215*** which corresponds to 1966

The barrel, however has the four-digit serial number 59** which corresponds to 1955

Is the barrel therefore really this much older?

Thanks in advance

Matty

[Garvin]

Hello Gentlemen and Ladies

I am trying to confirm whether the back block and cylinder on my 1966 HW55T are carrying the original barrel or not.

The BB and Cylinder are the six-digit serial number 215*** which corresponds to 1966

The barrel, however has the four-digit serial number 59** which corresponds to 1955

Is the barrel therefore really this much older?

Thanks in advance

Matty

Looks that way, Matty. The number on the breach block should match those on the cylinder/trigger block. But it makes no difference shooter-wise if the barrel fits properly.

[MattyBoy]

Thank you Garvin.

The barrel locking mech is a little tight but operates smoothly.

I'm very pleased to have this nice early gun even if the original barrel ( or vice versa the action!) was swapped out years ago.

Matty

[Garvin]

Thank you Garvin.

The barrel locking mech is a little tight but operates smoothly.

I'm very pleased to have this nice early gun even if the original barrel ( or vice versa the action!) was swapped out years ago.

Matty

You should be able to slacken off the barrel lock by turning the little wheel in the breach face (anti-clockwise?).

[T 20]

Perhaps the owner found it was an exceptionally good barrel and fitted it to a newer gun, Matty --- I've known folks do stranger things.

[MattyBoy]

Perhaps the owner found it was an exceptionally good barrel and fitted it to a newer gun, Matty --- I've known folks do stranger things.

The way I shoot I'll never know Mick

But I would like to think you are correct

Hope all is well with you and Shirl.

Matty

[T 20]

Hope all is well with you and Shirl.

Matty

All good, thankyou Matty.

I'm currently trying to teach myself Belltarget --- how hard can it be ?

On paper it should be easier than hitting the 61mm X 61mm Quigley Bucket at 75yards in a crosswind.

[MattyBoy]

You should be able to slacken off the barrel lock by turning the little wheel in the breach face (anti-clockwise?).

Good info.

I found clockwise eased the locking in actual fact. Now as smooth to lock as butter


Thanks mate

Matty

[MDriskill]

Does the number on the barrel correspond to any part of the full serial?

On older 55’s, some parts like the barrel, breech block, barrel locking lever, or locking bolt itself, are stamped with partial serials - they no doubt did this to keep individual components together while adjusting their fit, etc. Several of my old ones have the last 4 digits of the full serial on the breech block.

The position of the “5” in your post suggests this could be the case.

[MDriskill]

Good info.

I found clockwise eased the locking in actual fact. Now as smooth to lock as butter


Thanks mate

Matty

Correct, the detent lever pivots. So turning the adjusting screw clockwise, allows the lever to pivot downward, loosening the barrel lock.

[landymick]

As Mike says the last four digits are usually on the barrel block & lever.

[MattyBoy]

Correct, the detent lever pivots. So turning the adjusting screw clockwise, allows the lever to pivot downward, loosening the barrel lock.

Now I'm pretty observant but missed that

Yes the number on the barrel is the end of the full serial number.

So it's all original 1966

And we won the World cup against them too

Thanks for clarifying the situation.

Matty

[Garvin]

Now I'm pretty observant but missed that

Yes the number on the barrel is the end of the full serial number.

So it's all original 1966

And we won the World cup against them too

Thanks for clarifying the situation.

Matty

Sorry, I missed that possibility. Didn't mean the whole number matched, just that it was the same.