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February 17, 2022
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My neighbor stopped over today and knowing I had Winchester Garand, he donated this paratrooper case and bayonet to the cause. They probably don’t match up but it was pretty nice to have. I thought I would put it out there as we seldom talk about the efforts winchester for the war effort. 
November 7, 2015
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Looks like you have the makings of a calendar photo. Winchester’s war efforts are a major part of the history of the company.
Mike
May 14, 2025
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Great looking photos! Looks to be in great shape for the age. Unfortunately, my fathers was not so lucky. Still my favorite though!
January 8, 2025
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Very nice, great group. Love to see it.
January 20, 2023
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The original WRACO was very patriotic and suffered for it. 1918 Cancellation of the Enfield contract put it on the road to insolvency.
Abrupt termination of the M14 acquisition program by DOD damaged the Winchester-Western Division’s gunmaking profitability badly and its losses were the impetus for hiring the Ford Motor Company geniuses who ruined the Winchester Sporting line in 1964.
That Winchester greatly – even unduly – benefitted from America’s wars is a myth based on ignorance.
A good argument can be made.that Winchester’s reward for arming America for war was being driven out of the gunmaking business.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
April 30, 2023
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TXGunNut said
Looks like you have the makings of a calendar photo. Winchester’s war efforts are a major part of the history of the company.
Mike
As Zeb said…and its troubles! But yes, submit these for a calendar spot!
March 31, 2009
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Nice set up. What vintage is the rifle?
December 9, 2002
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Tom,
Thanks for sharing, and it surly is a reminder of what was said as far as how important Winchester played in the War effort.
Thanks for sharing!
Tony
August 14, 2021
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Well the M14 was an unmitigated disaster both manufacturing and maintenance wise. There is an unjustified romance with the M14, but its release and use early in Viet Nam was not what it appears.
March 31, 2009
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I have never even picked up a M 14. We got M 16’s. Three of my friends and I went to lunch Saturday and they all liked their M 14″s.
April 30, 2023
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CMP is releasing some M14s late this year or early next (supposedly)…not sure how they’ll price them or how they’ll modify them.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
I have never even picked up a M 14. We got M 16’s. Three of my friends and I went to lunch Saturday and they all liked their M 14″s.
We carried (6) of M14 rifles on all of the submarines I served on. I first qualified with an M14 in early 1980, and then continued to requalify with them up until 1998. Shortly after I retired from active duty (February 2000), the Navy Submarine force switched to the M16A3, and also added a pair of M60s to the small arms lockers.
I personally like the M14 rifles, as they shot well for me (I always shot a perfect score with them, all 30-rounds in the X-ring).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 14, 2021
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December 9, 2002
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Steven Gabrielli said
Ian is on point.
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/m14-americas-worst-service-rifle-what-went-wrong/
Steve,
As you’re well aware of, he usually is!
Good find!
Tony
February 17, 2022
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Chuck said
Nice set up. What vintage is the rifle?
Not sure the year of receiver. I can tell you it is all Winchester except the barrel which is 51 Springfield. PS thanks for flipping the picture Chuck! It has an original oiler, cleaning rod with case and combo tool. The bayonet is a M-1943 model and the case is a “case, paratrooper, m1950. Couldn’t look the gift horse in the mouth.
February 17, 2022
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Bert H. said
Chuck said
I have never even picked up a M 14. We got M 16’s. Three of my friends and I went to lunch Saturday and they all liked their M 14″s.
We carried (6) of M14 rifles on all of the submarines I served on. I first qualified with an M14 in early 1980, and then continued to requalify with them up until 1998. Shortly after I retired from active duty (February 2000), the Navy Submarine force switched to the M16A3, and also added a pair of M60s to the small arms lockers.
I personally like the M14 rifles, as they shot well for me (I always shot a perfect score with them, all 30-rounds in the X-ring).
Bert
Bert, I have to know. At what distance were you shooting and what position? I had to shoot the M16a2 Hbar at 200, 300, and 500 yards. When I made the battalion rifle team and shot the National Match course it was 200,300 and 600 yard!
February 17, 2022
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TXGunNut said
Looks like you have the makings of a calendar photo. Winchester’s war efforts are a major part of the history of the company.
Mike
Calendar photo???!!! Hell i can’t even get the stupid pictures to transfer over upright Mike! And you want me to try to make a picture for the calendar? I will get laughed out of town.
November 7, 2015
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oldcrankyyankee said
TXGunNut said
Looks like you have the makings of a calendar photo. Winchester’s war efforts are a major part of the history of the company.
Mike
Calendar photo???!!! Hell i can’t even get the stupid pictures to transfer over upright Mike! And you want me to try to make a picture for the calendar? I will get laughed out of town.
Yes I do! Brad doesn’t care what the orientation may be, I guarantee he can fix that. I think he’s looking for focus, lighting and composition and can help you with that.
Mike
August 1, 2025
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My Garand is Winchester, but I don’t have that fancy bolt. Actually, my rifle probably has more SA parts on it than WRA.
Don’t forget ammo…WRA has made and continues to make ammo for the armed forces.
April 15, 2005
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oldcrankyyankee said
Bert H. said
Chuck said
I have never even picked up a M 14. We got M 16’s. Three of my friends and I went to lunch Saturday and they all liked their M 14″s.
We carried (6) of M14 rifles on all of the submarines I served on. I first qualified with an M14 in early 1980, and then continued to requalify with them up until 1998. Shortly after I retired from active duty (February 2000), the Navy Submarine force switched to the M16A3, and also added a pair of M60s to the small arms lockers.
I personally like the M14 rifles, as they shot well for me (I always shot a perfect score with them, all 30-rounds in the X-ring).
Bert
Bert, I have to know. At what distance were you shooting and what position? I had to shoot the M16a2 Hbar at 200, 300, and 500 yards. When I made the battalion rifle team and shot the National Match course it was 200,300 and 600 yard!
The U.S. Navy M14 Qualification course was 30-rounds at 100 yds, 10 standing, 10 kneeling, and 10 prone. I routinely put all but 1 – 2 shots in the X-ring, with the outliers in the 10-ring. I easily scored 300 points every time I qualified/requalified.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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