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October 14, 2025
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Hello all,
My father gave me his Model 69A that he bought himself when he was young. Unfortunately his memory isn’t what it used to be and he’s having trouble even remembering how or when he bought it. He thinks he got it when he was 9 or 10 (so 1958 or 1959) but he’s really not sure. I would LOVE to be able to date it for him and maybe jog his memory on where and how he purchased it. I took some time today and got it cleaned up and even ran a few rounds through it. Still shoots great and I was able to get some groups of three that were around 1” at 50 yards using the Lyman All-American 2 1/2 that’s on it.
I was reading an earlier post where Jeff gave his email address for pictures and have just sent him some. It has a blued bolt handle with a chrome bolt. Blue trigger and guard, rounded fore end on the stock.
Barrel says: MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. — MODEL 69A — 22 SHORT — WINCHESTER — NEW HAVEN CONN — PATENT PENDING — LONG AND LONG RIFLE — TRADE MARK —
October 14, 2025
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Anyone? Bueller?
April 30, 2023
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No one is answering probably because we know you wrote to Jeff and nothing we say will trump his reply! He travels and works, so give him some time.
July 21, 2010
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The chambering rollmark is 22 SHORT, LONG AND LONG RIFLE which indicates manufacture was either just before or just after WW2. It changed to S, L OR LR in late 1946.
The tip of the fore-end on pre-war stocks was blunt while post-war sticks curved/slanted upward.
Hope this helps,
3Dub
July 17, 2012
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Jamo,
I just got back home (FINALLY) and am working my way down to your email and pictures. Sorry for the delay, I have barely had time to change my underwear the last few weeks.
I will send you a reply email later tonight or first thing in the morning, I promise.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
April 15, 2005
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JWA said
Jamo,
I just got back home (FINALLY) and am working my way down to your email and pictures. Sorry for the delay, I have barely had time to change my underwear the last few weeks.
I will send you a reply email later tonight or first thing in the morning, I promise.
Best Regards,
First, they are “Skivvies”, and second, I guess I will need to educate you on how Submariners change their skivvies.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 17, 2012
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Skivvies, I stand corrected.
And, I have seen your tag hanging out the back so I know how Submariners do it 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
October 14, 2025
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JWA said
Jamo,
I just got back home (FINALLY) and am working my way down to your email and pictures. Sorry for the delay, I have barely had time to change my underwear the last few weeks.
I will send you a reply email later tonight or first thing in the morning, I promise.
Best Regards,
Thank you! Looking forward to your reply. I spoke with my dad today and he is excited we may soon know more about his rifle.
July 17, 2012
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Hi Jamo,
Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been working long hours at my regular job the past few weeks.
I have posted your pictures on the WACA Forum so everyone can appreciate your rifle. Based on your clear photos it is a Winchester catalog number G6901R and is (currently) in the type 4B configuration with the swept bolt and non-grooved receiver. The type 4B was manufactured from September 1948 until circa mid-1954. That 5 year window is about as close as I can get unless there is a 2-digit barrel date stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the receiver (you have to remove the barreled receiver from the stock using the take-down screw to check). Some have a date but many do not.
Your rifle is interesting in that original 80A rear sight (mounted on the side of the receiver is missing and the receiver has been milled to accommodate an aftermarket sight at some point. There is also an interesting “B” stamp on the side of the barrel I have never seen. As 3Dub pointed out, the barrel has an earlier roll-marking which does not match the later style bolt handle and grooved trigger so either the bolt and trigger or the barrel were probably replaced at some point since they are years apart. The Lyman is a period scope that was an excellent match for the 69A so it should be an accurate rifle.
Let me know if you have any other additional questions. Again, thanks for your patience in my slow response.
Best Regards,
Jeff Abendshien
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
