Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
Avatar
Hilltop
Guest
WACA Guest
1
March 27, 2022 - 12:24 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

First time / only time.  Short version:

Dad passed and I ended up with my grandfather’s guns. The gun I’m looking at is stamped Model 69A and has a scope with rotating caps over the adjuster screws. Missing the magazine, the scope is clear and appears in order, steel has some whitish micro spot weathering, and the stock has a poor repair at the butt.  Wondering if someone here has thoughts on this particular model and who in New England, gun in NH,   would be good to work with to assess and perhaps restore.  There’s also a similar condition single shot 16ga but that’s a different thread though perhaps the same gunsmith.  Hilltop 

Avatar
SO. Oregon
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 682
Member Since:
June 5, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
March 28, 2022 - 6:52 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

First, welcome to our forum. You’ll get well informed replies and input from our members, including the author of the definitive book on the Winchester 69…JWA.

Pictures whould help to determine what recommendations should be offered.  Include high quality pictures of the proof marks, scope bases, and bolt handle, along with profiles of both sides.  If possible use diffused natural sunlight, like on an overcast day. 

Since its a family heirloom and not a exceedingly rare rifle no one should mind the idea of restoration.  All the above is just my opinion. 

Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles

 “There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”

Teddy Roosevelt 

4029-1.jpg

Avatar
NY
Member
Restricted
Forum Posts: 7119
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
March 28, 2022 - 7:21 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Vince said

Pictures whould help to determine what recommendations should be offered.  Include high quality pictures of the proof marks, scope bases, and bolt handle, along with profiles of both sides.   

Except don’t waste your time trying to post photos yourself on this forum–it’s usually an exercise in futility!  Send them by email to a member, such as Vince if he’s willing to post them for you.  There’s a possibility the scope could be a factory installation, which would double the gun’s value, but don’t get your hopes up until JWA pronounces his verdict.

Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2265
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
March 28, 2022 - 8:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi and welcome to the WACA Forum,

Vince is correct, with photos we can give you a LOT more information since there are many nuances that affect value.

The 1937+ era of “Winchester” scopes (2 3/4x, 5x and 8x) all had brass tubes, not steel as you describe so your scope was likely added to the rifle post-sale.

With a good set of photos we can tell you the Winchester catalog number, roughly when it was manufactured and specific details on the sights, and if the rifle has been modified as well as a ballpark value.  You can either PM Vince or myself with your email address and we would be happy to post the pictures for you so everyone can see your heirloom and we can give you more details.

Best Regards,

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
New Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 2
Member Since:
March 27, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
March 28, 2022 - 9:34 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks to all that responded.   I will take some pictures as recommended and work to get them posted for further review.  Hilltop 

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 10
Member Since:
April 28, 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
March 29, 2022 - 1:56 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I have a 69A and I’m proud to say, I’m the original owner. (Dad bought it for me when I was 11). Dad bought it at the local “Western Auto” or similar store on Main St in 1962. 

It has a Weaver scope that was added soon after the original purchase. These are great, very simple rifles, that I will cherish forever.

I have the Abendshien book, purchasing it at last summer’s Winchester Show in Cody. It is a wealth of knowledge and information. 

Cheers and enjoy,

WP

Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2265
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
March 29, 2022 - 2:04 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Woody P said
I have a 69A and I’m proud to say, I’m the original owner. (Dad bought it for me when I was 11). Dad bought it at the local “Western Auto” or similar store on Main St in 1962. 

It has a Weaver scope that was added soon after the original purchase. These are great, very simple rifles, that I will cherish forever.

I have the Abendshien book, purchasing it at last summer’s Winchester Show in Cody. It is a wealth of knowledge and information. 

Cheers and enjoy,

WP  

Hi Woody,

Thanks for your book purchase, it was a pleasure meeting you at Cody.  Your rifle is the pinnacle of the 69As with a grooved receiver, grooved trigger, chrome trimmings and all the advantages of 25+ years of product improvement as well as a fantastic heirloom – congrats!

Best Regards,

Jeff (Abendshien)

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
NY
Member
Restricted
Forum Posts: 7119
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
March 29, 2022 - 2:17 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Woody P said
I have a 69A and I’m proud to say, I’m the original owner. (Dad bought it for me when I was 11). Dad bought it at the local “Western Auto” or similar store on Main St in 1962.  

If so, I’ll bet he bought a supply of “Revelation” ammo for it.  The only hardware store in the small town where I grew up in the ’50s was a WA, & that’s where I bought all my .22s, along with miscellaneous odds & ends.  (My mother worked in the adjoining Rexall drug store.)  Frankly, I don’t even remember whatever guns they were selling, since rarely did I ever have more than a dollar or two in my pocket, if that.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 10
Member Since:
April 28, 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
March 29, 2022 - 4:53 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

clarence said

Woody P said
I have a 69A and I’m proud to say, I’m the original owner. (Dad bought it for me when I was 11). Dad bought it at the local “Western Auto” or similar store on Main St in 1962.  

If so, I’ll bet he bought a supply of “Revelation” ammo for it.  The only hardware store in the small town where I grew up in the ’50s was a WA, & that where I bought all my .22s, along with miscellaneous odds & ends.  (My mother worked in the adjoining Rexall drug store.)  Frankly, I don’t even remember whatever guns they were selling, since rarely did I ever have more than a dollar or two in my pocket, if that.  

Thanks for the reply guys.

At the time, I remember going up into the hills shooting the 69A, no idea as to the ammo. It went with me to Alaska in 1970 for the summer.

Going thru Canadian customs with a rifle and ammo was no big deal then. They wanted to know where we were heading and if we had enough money to make it.

After that, it lived under the bed, without much use, in my room at Dad’s house until about 2000. I’ve had it with me ever since.

A family heirloom and treasure for sure.

Cheers,

WP

Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2265
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
March 30, 2022 - 2:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Hilltop said
First time / only time.  Short version:

Dad passed and I ended up with my grandfather’s guns. The gun I’m looking at is stamped Model 69A and has a scope with rotating caps over the adjuster screws. Missing the magazine, the scope is clear and appears in order, steel has some whitish micro spot weathering, and the stock has a poor repair at the butt.  Wondering if someone here has thoughts on this particular model and who in New England, gun in NH,   would be good to work with to assess and perhaps restore.  There’s also a similar condition single shot 16ga but that’s a different thread though perhaps the same gunsmith.  Hilltop   

Hi Hilltop,

I received your photos and have posted them here for helpful comments by the members.

Your rifle is a Winchester Model 69A.  Yours was made sometime between  mid-1954 and 1958 based on the features.  The Weaver scope is an aftermarket and has been added but since it is a Weaver tip-off there was no modification made to the gun to mount it.  The scope is period correct for your rifle.

There is obviously active rust that should be abated.  You can likely handle that yourself without the assistance of a gunsmith.  The best method I have found is to use a Frontier Big 45 pad and some oil.  Light scrubbing with oil and the pad will remove the rust but not hurt the remaining bluing.  You will be amazed at the results.  https://www.big45metalcleaner.com/ (also available on Amazon).

The rifle is a “takedown” model and loosening the single large screw on the underside of the forearm will allow you to remove the barreled action from the stock to give it a good cleaning and get to possible rust on the underside.

Excellent replacement magazines are available from Wisner’s – http://www.wisnersinc.com/model/winchester-bolt-action-rimfire/

Your broken front sight can also be easily replaced, it drives out of the tapered dovetail from left to right (as looking down on it) and the replacement goes in from right to left.

Here are your photos:

IMG_1072.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1073.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1077.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1071.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1074.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1075.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1078.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1079.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1076.jpgImage Enlarger 

Best Regards,

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
New Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 2
Member Since:
March 27, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
March 30, 2022 - 10:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks JWA, 

I’ve ordered up the big45, a cleaning kit for this gauge and plan to thoroughly go through best I can. Will post my results in a few.  

Hilltop

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: Bert H., Bill Hockett, twobit, John D., SureShot
Guest(s) 463
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 5585
Chuck: 5004
steve004: 4667
1873man: 4472
Big Larry: 2447
twobit: 2350
mrcvs: 1949
TR: 1784
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 13480
Posts: 119030

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1897
Members: 9283
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation