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Contents Inside Stock of Winchester Model 61 .22 L. RIFLE Pump SN 10943
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June 22, 2018 - 7:41 pm
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About 10 years ago, I purchased from Randy Shuman of Newville PA, a very high condition Winchester Model 61 pump .22. It is chambered for .22 Long Rifle only so it has the higher optioned octagon barrel. The gun has serial number 10943 which makes it a 1934 production gun.

There was some crud in the checkered pattern of the steel butt plate so I removed it to make it easier to clean.

Inside the draw bolt access hole in the stock was a variety of stuff as pictured below.

And which turned out to be: 3 locks of very fine light brown hair wrapped inside some newspaper and a Series 1935A $1.00 Silver Certificate. I decoded some of the print in the newspaper, specifically, the programming for Thursday July 16th on station KOA. Turns out Thursday July 16 occurred in 1936 (my birth year), KOA was and still is a Denver Colorado radio station and the newspaper was the Denver Post.

Be pretty neat, but highly unlikely, if this triggers a search which results in finding the lad or lassie who originally owned this sweet Winchester .22 pump.

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June 23, 2018 - 12:19 am
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WOW!!!  What an amazing find!  I have never removed a Model 61 butt plate, but I have a strong feeling that will change.  I believe that I may start looking under all of my Winchester butt plates.  I did remove the butt plate on my model 54 with a Stainless Steel barrel and found the hole was stuffed with wooden kitchen matches wrapped in what appears to be old waxed paper.  Neat idea for fire starting in a pinch!  Thanks for sharing.  RDB

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June 23, 2018 - 1:42 am
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Thats a really neat find.  I always look under the buttplate on anything I get.  The more interesting things Ive found was 11 32-20 rounds under an 1873 buttplate and a Marlin that had a note explaining that the 25-36 was a present from grandfather to grandson for graduation.  There are the occasional initials either written or etched.  Im holding out for that cache of diamonds. 

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June 23, 2018 - 2:24 am
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My exciting find under the buttplate of an old M1897 shotgun was a 1927 Colorado hunting license. Big Larry

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June 23, 2018 - 10:56 am
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Good morning,

You could always run a DNA check on a stand of hair from each lock!  Never know where it might lead.

Michael

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June 23, 2018 - 7:35 pm
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Wow neat find! i’m afraid to look under any of my gun’s butt plates. Might find a note from my wife asking, so how much did you pay for this one?

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June 23, 2018 - 7:51 pm
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joe45c said
Wow neat find! i’m afraid to look under any of my gun’s butt plates. Might find a note from my wife asking, so how much did you pay for this one?  

Joe,

Now that is funny!  My wife has different methods to find out how much I pay for them.

Bert

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June 23, 2018 - 8:06 pm
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Bert H. said

Joe,

Now that is funny!  My wife has different methods to find out how much I pay for them.

Bert  

Bert,

Please, please don’t publicise her method.

Jolly

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June 23, 2018 - 8:35 pm
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Jolly Bill said

Bert,

Please, please don’t publicise her method.

Jolly  

OK… I guess I will just have to bear the weight of that cross all alone.

Bert

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June 24, 2018 - 12:04 am
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Not sure I agree with removing rifle buttplates unless neccessary. For the number of times that a pot of gold is found there is a chance of damage to the rifle.

I removed a buttplate from a Pre 64 Mdl 70 and a splinter of wood fell off. Anytime a screw is touched there is a possibility of damage ( yes- with the proper screwdriver too.)

Just my thoughts.  Dick

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June 24, 2018 - 1:30 am
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Bert H. said

Joe,

Now that is funny!  My wife has different methods to find out how much I pay for them.

Bert  

Reminds me of the two old gun collectors talking about estate matters. One tells his buddy: “please don’t let my wife sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them!”

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June 24, 2018 - 10:00 pm
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I have always pulled the stock and butt plate. One time I bought a 76 from a dealer that most always does the same but this time he didn’t.  I found the original cleaning rod stuck in there.  If he would have known he would have charged more.

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