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Well I’ve gathered more information on two threads on these older Winchester .22’s than several searches on the net.
As I posted on another thread I picked up a Model 69, but really want a Model 69A. My brother has a Model 72 on the way that has the Winchester receiver sight as well as a scope mounted on it. More on the 72 when it arrives.
Glad we could help.
Is it a Winchester scope on the 72? The factory scoped 72’s are hard to find.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I have a 69A my father bought for my brother and I in the mid to late 50’s for our scout rifle team and NRA competition and qualifying. It’s stamped for “.22 S,L & LR”. The receiver is flat cut and drilled and tapped for the micrometer peep sights. The stock was carefully cut away to make clearance for the rear sight. It has the swept back bolt, grooved trigger, 5 shot clip and the leather sling with swivels. This one also has the receivers grooved for the tip-off scope mounts. All the metal components are in excellent condition. The wooden stock shows some use wear and some scratches, but is still in very good condition. My dad did shorten the butt end of the stock about 1-1/2″ to better fit my brother and I way back when. It still shoots straight as an arrow and I use it still for varmint hunting. I was considering installing a small scope on it since my 72 year old eyes can no longer see well through the peep sights. Do you know what type of rail these original grooves for the scope were cut for? Also, any estimate on the value of this 69A?
Thanks,
Gus
Hi Gus,
It sounds like you have the Model G6901R which is a 69A with the Winchester 80A rear peep sight. They started adding the grooves on the receiver in mid-1954 so yours was made sometime after that. The Model G6901R was discontinued in 1959 although two other 69 models continued to be made through 1963. They are nice accurate rifles and are quality made to last generations.
The factory scope grooves on the receiver are standard 3/8″ (approx. 10mm) designed for the Weaver “tip-off” style scope rings and mounts. The rings are still available from many gun stores and online retailers as the 3/8″ groove has been standard in the US for many years (11mm is the European standard).
If the stock was not cut and the rifle was in “excellent condition” as you describe collectors are currently paying in the $350-$450 range for the grooved variations. Since your stock has been modified it decreases the collector value somewhat and I estimate it would sell in the $250-$300 range at auction depending upon actual condition. Keep in mind these are sight-unseen estimates based solely on your description.
Quality replacement 5 shot magazines (made by Wisner’s) are available from Brownell’s at a very reasonable price (less than $15) if you need a spare.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I also have a 69a with a schnabel fore end is it possible that they were factory made ?
Mike C said
I also have a 69a with a schnabel fore end is it possible that they were factory made ?
Hi Mike,
It is highly unlikely that a Schnabel forend was produced by the factory for your Model 69A. It was not even offered as an option since the Schnabel style was already phased out by Winchester by the time the 69A was introduced as an “obsolete” and less popular forend style. Semi-beavertail stocks were the rage for .22’s by the time the 69A was introduced.
Is it possible your stock is a Model 56 stock with a 69A barreled action or a 69A barrel on a 56/57 action? Is the buttplate plastic or checkered steel? Does it have a one piece trigger guard and magazine plate or a two piece separate trigger guard and oval magazine plate?
Pictures would really help us give you more information. I would love to see your rifle as I am a diehard fan of the graceful Schnabel style myself.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
oakridge said
WOW! Great information. Thanks.
i have one in real nice condition thanks for the info i was interested in selling mine
freddy said
i have one in real nice condition thanks for the info i was interested in selling mine
Glad we could help. What are you asking for your 69/69A? If you have pictures it can be listed here in the “Winchester Swap Meet” section.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I have a Winchester Model 69A that my father brought my brother and I in 1963 for our birthday. He got it a Abercrombie & Fitch in NY. That was when A&F was also sporting goods store. As noted in other post, it shoots well and easy to clean. Mine is still in excellent shape, kept it clean and stock has been rubbed with linseed oil several times over the years. I took it to high school where we had a range and shot it there many times. It was La Salle Military Academy. It is sad that schools do not teach about guns and gun safety. I still enjoy shooting the 69A.
Tim F said
I have a Winchester Model 69A that my father brought my brother and I in 1963 for our birthday. He got it a Abercrombie & Fitch in NY. That was when A&F was also sporting goods store. As noted in other post, it shoots well and easy to clean. Mine is still in excellent shape, kept it clean and stock has been rubbed with linseed oil several times over the years. I took it to high school where we had a range and shot it there many times. It was La Salle Military Academy. It is sad that schools do not teach about guns and gun safety. I still enjoy shooting the 69A.
Tim,
Does your rifle have a 4-digit number stamped in the bottom of the pistol grip? Or, perhaps a 5-digit number stamped on the left side of the barrel?
EWH
I have a rather strange M69-A. It is a late one with the grooved receiver, but it is drilled and tapped for a rear Lyman sight and the holes filled with factory blind screws. The stock is not cut for a Lyman and it is just about drippy mint. The bbl. has a number stamped into it as well. # 27466. JWA says it is a late rifle made with leftover M75 receivers. That accounts for the holes. He has a few of these, but I have never seen another. Big Larry
just acquired a Model 66a for my son. The Walnut stock is drop dead gorgeous. The machining is flawless. I paid $200..which I thought was a lot..until I spent a day with it. This sort of quality is unobtainable today.
Robert said
just acquired a Model 66a for my son. The Walnut stock is drop dead gorgeous. The machining is flawless. I paid $200..which I thought was a lot..until I spent a day with it. This sort of quality is unobtainable today.
You have been bitten. There is no antidote, but it is not fatal. In fact it is quite enjoyable. These little Winchester 22’s sure do get under your skin. Welcome.
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
November 7, 2015
Offline
I give up, what’s a 66A? And Vince is right, these little Winchesters are absolutely addicting. Just bought another one last weekend even though I haven’t seen a paycheck since September.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I give up, what’s a 66A? And Vince is right, these little Winchesters are absolutely addicting. Just bought another one last weekend even though I haven’t seen a paycheck since September.
Mike
I’m sure it’s a typo, he meant 69a. After all he buying Winchesters.
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
I have a Winchester 69A with a hooded front sight no sling or holes safety on the side. It has a 5 round magazine and was my dad’s 22 as a kid. I acquired it after he passed away. I too fired it as boy. Although I was given The Remington 870 wingmaster when I turned 12. That was the beginning of many game bird hunting trips. Now that I have this 22 rifle. I like to add a scope. I have search and found many conflicting post and websites. Brownell has it listed as #2 weaver side mount. I measured my side sight screws center to center 1.25 inches. Maybe I should look closer to see if I have any groves to mount to. Anyway any suggestions from experience that doesn’t involve modifying the rifle would be appropriated.
Hi Scott,
If the hooded front sight is original your rifle is likely the Model G6901R which was originally equipped with the Winchester 80A peep sight mounted on the left sight of the receiver in a milled flat area. Several years ago there was a gentleman (Promach) selling a mount that utilized those existing 80A side holes but I have not seen them offered for awhile. It is a very neat setup which requires no modification. I have it on one of my rifles and it works great. Here is a link to the description and photos http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/fs-scope-base-for-winchester-72-47-and-69.3863466/
I totally agree that you should not permanently modify the rifle as it will certainly detract from its value. If it was manufactured after mid-1954 the top of the receiver will have grooves to mount a scope using “tip-off” style mounts. If it was made prior to mid-1954 the top of the receiver will just be smooth and rounded.
A quick way to add scope mounting bases to a pre-1954 69A without permanently altering the rifle is to “glue” them on with “Black Max” black Loctite. Some people have even attached the bases with “Shoe Goo” but I don’t have any experience with it. Make sure you follow the surface preparation instructions for the Loctite and if you decide to remove it in the future it can be heated to break the bond, although the remaining residue would require a little elbow grease to remove.
Hope that helps.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Hi Folks,
I have an old 69A that I inherited from my dad, I fondly remember shooting with it as a young boy in the late sixties and early seventies. I am keen to fit a silencer and scope to it but also don’t want to detract from its value. It seems you can get a slide on silencer and I was reading above that you can glue scope mounts on. Any idea where these scope mounts are obtainable from? Apologies if that sounds like a dumb question but I am really ignorant when it comes to scopes and the mounting of them. Note: I live in South Africa so mounts and such may not be as freely available as in the USA.
p.s.: I wish I could figure out how to post the pics of the gun that I have, the buttons above don’t seem to work for me.[Image Can Not Be Found]
Mike
[email protected] said
Hi Folks,
I have an old 69A that I inherited from my dad, I fondly remember shooting with it as a young boy in the late sixties and early seventies. I am keen to fit a silencer and scope to it but also don’t want to detract from its value. It seems you can get a slide on silencer and I was reading above that you can glue scope mounts on. Any idea where these scope mounts are obtainable from? Apologies if that sounds like a dumb question but I am really ignorant when it comes to scopes and the mounting of them. Note: I live in South Africa so mounts and such may not be as freely available as in the USA.
p.s.: I wish I could figure out how to post the pics of the gun that I have, the buttons above don’t seem to work for me.[Image Can Not Be Found]
Mike
Greetings,
My “go-to” reference for scope mounts is a Weaver chart that, I think, was posted on the Brownell’s website. It lists the length, hole spacing, inside diameter and thickness for each mount. For the Winchester 69A and its siblings (47 & 72) the chart lists the bases as #12 for the rear and #17 for the front. I think that this application puts the front base on the barrel so if you want to attach both to the receiver, two #12s should work.
The #12 is a pretty low base; its thickness is listed as 0.155 inches. If you want a little more height and want to attach to the receiver only, the #15 is taller (0.195 thick) and the #91 taller yet (0.28 inches). The length of the #12 and #15 is 0.812 inches so they are both short enough to fit on the front receiver bridge without extending over the barrel. The #91 is 1.4 inches long so it would extend over the barrel – which you may want, depending on what scope you go with.
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