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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
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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
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.
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
Thanks to all that responded. I will take some pictures as recommended and work to get them posted for further review. Hilltop
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
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
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.
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
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:
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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