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I bought a nickel plated Model 62 back about 2004. It was brought in to the local gun show by a man who claimed he got it from a neighbor who had cancer and had died several years before.
He said the neighbor had worked for a West Coast Carnival show and ran the shooting gallery. When the carnival show folded there were two of these rifles that had been offered for prizes but never won. The show owner kept one and the other was sold to the man who ran the shooting gallery concession. I bought the gun with the promise that the seller would return with more information on the gun and name of the carnival. Needles to say he did not honor his side o the agreement and I never saw him again.
The gin is pristine with the exception of a couple of scratches on the hammer from the bolt. I noticed it had a Model 90 fore arm and not the proper cigar shaped one. Not being knowledgeable of “nickeled” guns, I was wondering how to tell if it came from the factory nickeled of if it was after market nickeled.
My photo taking lacks expertise, but you should get an idea of the finish. Any photo taking suggestions will be welcomed. Thanks, Roger
Sorry, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but to me, the nickel looks too flawless for a gun discontinued about 50 yrs ago. And I’m a little skeptical that a carney operator would have been fastidious about caring for it. I think if that story were true, both guns would quickly have been disposed of at the nearest pawn shop, & by now show plenty of usage.
Roger,
While I was restoring my very early full nickel 1890 I had to do a bit of research and question asking. Everything on the early 1890 was plated, main spring included. If you take off the butt stock it may help you decide on the authenticity. Of course, the 1890 has a flat spring and the 62A has a coil spring for a main spring. Take this with a grain of salt as mine was manufactured in 1893 so things could very well have changed as to how Winchester full plated with the very large gap in the time frame of manufacture. I’m not going to speculate on originality. Hope it’s an original, if not it’s still a good conversation piece with a story.
I’ve got a half nickel model with a gallery story also, complete with mismatched serial #’s. They are about 5,000 off. The two halves were both originally plated, the rifle was in poor condition with a replacement barrel. The serial #’s dated it to 1918 but it had a model 90 barrel on it. I don’t know how many rounds of 22 shorts one has to fire to wear out a barrel but it has to be a bunch. Anyway to make a long story short I gave the rifle a full face lift just because I liked the story that accompanied it and I do believe It was used as a true gallery gun. (common for the gallery’s to put the rifles back together after cleaning with non matching numbers)
Erin
Roger,
I would bet good money that it was nickel plated after the fact. The clue is the condition of the proof mark stamps. As manufactured by Winchester, they were applied after the rifle was fully assembled and test fired (after the nickel plating). As it appears in your pictures, the nickel plating was applied over the op of the proof mark stamps.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
That was my take on it too. That is why I made my best effort to show the proof marks. I will pull the stock just to see what is under the wood. I know the sights are plated so we will check it out the inside. I would think the ‘prize guns’ would probably not have been fired as they were always just on display. I also remember why the black dot could not be shot out in three shots. They used the “hanging chad” system. The paper tore and a part of the black dot always hung on. You had to completely shoot the dot out to win and it isn’t possible. Thanks for your replies. I will add that I have not been able to find any signs of pitting. Roger
rogertherelic said
I also remember why the black dot could not be shot out in three shots. They used the “hanging chad” system. The paper tore and a part of the black dot always hung on. You had to completely shoot the dot out to win and it isn’t possible.
I’m SHOCKED to think these carny games weren’t on the up & up! So just as well I spent most of my allowance at the county fair to get into the freak shows.
Shame on you Clarence! You could have been at the shooting gallery improving your skills as a rifleman and getting duped. Am I seeing a different side of you? By the way what did you learn a the shows? Tell the truth now.
rogertherelic said
By the way what did you learn a the shows? Tell the truth now.
Have to tell you in private, Roger–don’t want to risk getting banned!
I am so looking forward to meeting you Clarence. I hope I remember this conversation so I can question you about your county fair experiences.
I very carefully removed the stock screw and stock. The flat hammer spring appears to be the only part that is not plated. Thanks to all for your input. Looks like I just have an old shiny gun with a good salesman’s story. Forgot to post the serial #83363A. Has the one pin bolt. Roger
Something else I just noticed, it has an 1890 forearm. The 62 should have the double taper forearm.
Erin
Mentioned the ’90 fore end in the first post. Considered trying to replace it with the proper one, but was afraid of getting scratches on the magazine tube. Plus, “it is what it is” and the proper slide handle in pristine condition may not exist. I have always wondered how it was possible to assemble or disassemble a Winchester firearm and leave no trace of doing so. I definitely do not have that expertise! Roger
rogertherelic said
Mentioned the ’90 fore end in the first post. Considered trying to replace it with the proper one, but was afraid of getting scratches on the magazine tube.
If it’s a refinished gun, “proper” is no longer very relevant; the ’90 forearm looks better, & replacing it won’t increase gun’s value.
Glad to see some information on a carnival gun. The 1890 .22 short l have has everything nicked except the receiver screw, hammer, takedown screw and flat spring. Serial 37010.Also has dovetail for rear sight. Not in the best of shape but it’s pleasing to me. Have a factory letter and cannot post pictures however if someone gives permission I will send them pictures so they can post. Harry
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