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October 22, 2023
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I have a Model 74 .22 rimfire .22 shorts the serial number is 12422-a but all the serial number lists I see start at 130890 . I can’t seem to figure this out can anyone help ? Thank you
March 31, 2009
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Under Resources you will find a tab that says When Was Your Winchester Made. Open this and fill in the blanks. This info is from the Winchester records in the Cody Museum.
1939
October 22, 2023
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1939 thank you
April 15, 2005
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The DOM information for the Model 74 was an estimate that I made because no records for the Model 74 exist except for the WW II production period (May 20th 1942 through August 4th, 1944). That stated, the serial number on your rifle is early enough that it undoubtedly was manufactured in the first half of the year 1939. Based on the serial number I suspect that it is a 22 Short versus a 22 Long Rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 22, 2023
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Yes it is a .22 short only. Does that make it more valuable or special in anyway ? I can’t seem to find one near that low of a serial number. Seems rarer to me
April 15, 2005
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Bryan Taylor said
Yes it is a .22 short only. Does that make it more valuable or special in anyway ? I can’t seem to find one near that low of a serial number. Seems rarer to me
No, it does not make it more valuable or special (or rare). All of the early production Model 74 Rifles were 22 Short only. Winchester introduced the 22 Long Rifle variation in the January 1940 catalog. From a shooter’s perspective, the 22 Long Rifle variation is slightly more valuable.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
