A lil help w/a 1908 Win mod 1903

[Bullcoop]

I tried posting this in the Rimfire section but it seems that it is more appropriate here.
I was just given an immaculate Model 1903.
I'm really torn on what to do with the rifle. I dont know anything about them other than what I've read in the past 2 hours. Here are my main questions.

I'm assuming to take down the rifle you use the "take-down screw" in the back, but is there anything I should know before doing so, like "there is a small spring..." or "be careful not to...when taking it apart"

I plan on cleaning it up a little, the stock, barrel, reciever is all about 90% but there is a small bit of rust on the trigger gaurd and the buttplate, any suggs on the best way to remove it? I'm sticking with the rule of "do no harm" so I just wanna remove any active corrosion and stop, but then what do I use to prevent the rust from A)re-occuring and B)starting somewhere else?

Is there a market for these rifles? I know they were made from 1903 to 1932 and only 125,000 or so were made, but shoot a dated round thats somewhat expensive. It holds no sentimental value but on the other hand I'm somewhat of a collector as well as a shooter, so it might be worth keeping.

Any suggs or help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks BC

[TRAP55]

I'm assuming to take down the rifle you use the "take-down screw" in the back, but is there anything I should know before doing so, like "there is a small spring..." or "be careful not to...when taking it apart"

Remove the mag tube, cock the action, and apply safety first.

there is a small bit of rust on the trigger guard and the buttplate, any suggs on the best way to remove it?

Kroil or ATF and bronze wool. Do it with the wood removed, do not mess with the original finish on the stocks, kills value by a good 50%!
Flush the dissolved rust off with BrakeKleen. Any rust remaining will light up bright orange, repeat if needed. Then wipe all the metal down with BreakFree CLP.
The '03 in .22 WlnAuto was the predecessor to the '63 in .22LR. Winchester will tell you it won't work, but the 03 barrel can be swapped out with a 63 barrel to shoot .22LR. DO NOT shoot .22LR in the 03 barrel! They will chamber and fire, but it will eventually cause damage to the gun.
Got a serial number? I can give you the "accurate" year made.
Schematic:

http://stevespages.com/ipb-winchester-63.html

Manual:

http://stevespages.com/pdf/winchester_63.pdf

[Bullcoop]

I found my Ser# in the 1908 column. So I assumed it was made that year. Just in case I'm reading something wrong here it is.
#40759
Are they essentially the same as a 63 but chambered (or barrelled) for the WinMag?
Thanks for the help so far.
BC

[TRAP55]

BC, your rifle was made mid 1907, with 8,621 made that year. Total production from 1903 to 1932 was 126,211. Cody has polishing room records for that serial range too.

Are they essentially the same as a 63 but chambered (or barrelled) for the WinMag?

Not Win Mag, Win Auto......it was a round all to itself, fatter and longer than a .22LR, but shorter than the WRF and WRM. It was also loaded with Smokeless powder vs Blackpowder, to prevent fouling in the auto loader. I had a full box at one time, but got lost in a move. At $2.00+ a round for those old collectors, I wish I had em now!
It's been a few years, but I believe the only differences in the two rifles were primarily the feed and extraction system, that was tailored to the specific cartridge. The 03 with the 63 barrel on it that I cleaned up for a friend, IIRC, only had the barrel changed out.
They've had an interesting military career with the US and UK Military as trainers. Made up in an Enfield profile, Lewis gun profile, and fitted with a scope and silencer for the Brit Homeguard Units.

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Winchester_Auto_and_Winder_%20rifles.htm

This link has a pic of the WRF, .22 WinAuto, and .22LR together for a comparison.

[Bullcoop]

I typed the wrong thing I knew it was WinAuto not WinMag. I found them for about a buck a round.
Thanks for the help though, its appreciated.
BC