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Early 1939 Model 74 Gallery Special — Serial #206 Data Share & Inquiry

Kschaaf20

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July 6, 2026

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July 6, 2026 - 5:35 pm

Hello fellow collectors,

I was just given a model 74 from my grandfather and am looking for any information i can gather. It was bought in 1940 by my great grandfather and given to my grandfather in 1942. Everything on it is original and in great shape.

- Serial Number: 206
- Caliber: .22 Short Only
- Configuration: Factory Gallery Special
- Shell Deflector: Type 1 (Completely blank face, no patent text)
- Barrel Length: 24 Inches
- Barrel Marking: Early two-line roll stamp layout
- Stock Condition: Original walnut, completely clean with zero commercial carnival inventory or property markings.
- Receiver/Guard: Blank trigger guard profile with no post-war or overhaul stamps. Standard sporting blade rear sight is intact.

The rifle remains un-mutilated and mechanically cycles .22 Short ammunition completely smooth. I am keeping it in its factory-original patina and native configuration.

Does anyone else on the board track a three-digit or early 1939 blank-deflector variant near #206? I would welcome any additional database context or commentary from the pre-64 rimfire historians here.

Thanks for your time!

JWA

Location: 32000' +

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July 17, 2012

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July 8, 2026 - 3:24 pm

Welcome to the WACA Forum!

My earliest is 1633 and it has the unmarked shell deflector also. It also has the early round knob on the inner magazine tube instead of the later flat knob.

Where is the loading hole in the stock located on yours? My early rifle is near the center of the butt stock but my G7421R serial # 10983 Gallery Special has the hole located very far forward, almost to the wrist, as well as a few others in the 1939 range. See pic. below.