deerhunter said
Hi JWA,

I picked up this model 75 Sporter from a fellow collector at the Oregon Arms Collectors show a couple months ago.  I posted an array of photos prior to purchasing hoping to get your opinion, but I believe you were out on a Covid hiatus at the time.  Anyway, it was too good of a deal to pass up for $850.00.  My main question at the time was whether the rear Lyman receiver sight was correct–it has different adjustment knobs compared to most I’ve seen.  It’s in beautiful condition and the wood has a nice tiger stripe figure to it as well.  I believe the magazine is correct as well.  The sling is an aftermarket Boyt brand, but looks to be a good high quality sling.  I’ve seen some of these sporters going for really good money lately so I hope I did well on this one.  Winchester 22’s are generally out of my realm, but I wanted to have a nice example of a bolt-action 22 LR for my collection.  Your thoughts and evaluation will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Don 

Hi Don,

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.  Yep, I was out with Covid and then came back and jumped straight into travel again.  Just got home last night.

Thanks for the great pictures!  Firstly, you got that rifle at a real bargain regardless of the minor issues with it.  The bluing looks original and the stock only has a few minor dings.

Now, to answer your specific question, your Lyman sight has “Hunter” adjustment knobs.  Although it is a 57E sight it is not the correct vintage or type of sight that came on the Model 75 Sporting rifle.  Based on your serial number your rifle should have a Lyman 57ES sight, with “Target” knobs and the arm should be unmarked on top.  The good news is the correct 57ES is about a $100 sight on ebay and your current sight is worth almost that much so to make it right won’t be much cost or effort.

The only other anomaly I noticed is that the sight inletting is a bit tight at the front of the Lyman sight.  Factory Winchester inletting left a generous gap at the front of the sight for fitting tolerance.  When I see a tight fit I usually suspect the rear sight has been added to an open sight model.  Your rear sight blank on the barrel also appears to have a slight hump to it, if it is a Winchester blank for the 75S it should be flat across the top.  Both of those little items lead me to suspect that your rear sight might have been added to an open sight model but closer examination is required to make that definitive.  Photos of the stock rear sight inletting with the action removed and a closer view of the rear sight blank would help.

Again, regardless of those minor observations you paid less than the overall value of that rifle so you did well!

Best Regards,

Ben Tolson said
   Just trying to replace the rifle that somehow got away from me….any idea’s where it might have went JWA?

  

I believe it went to the photographers for inclusion in the new book.  😉

Thanks!

P.S. Now that I have photos of it you can have it back if you want for what you sold it to me for plus a small storage and handling charge…….

Ben Tolson said
Yes please….  let’s talk before next month.  

Here is the “former” Ben Tolsen Model 75 Sporting Rifle.  Let’s do a fun quiz and see if anyone can view the picture and discover WHY this is such an unusual rifle? Anyone?

Best Regards,

Ben, I don’t think you noticed the anomaly when you sold it and I did not notice it until I got home and logged it in.

TXGunNut said 

Barrel length? 

Mike

  

Good guess, but no, more obvious than that.

Ben Tolson said
If I had the 75 Book then it would have been obvious… but since I don’t…I’m still ignorant.  But, the rifle looks even better than I remembered it!  This is killing me…. just be gentle with my wallet.

  

The 75 book would certainly help, but I will give you a hint, this one is missing something that every other 75 I have seen has…….

seewin said
No “WINCHESTER” roll stamp on receiver.

Steve  

Ding, ding, ding, winner, winner!  It is the only one I have seen escape Winchester without the roll stamp, that is why a photo of the receiver made it into the book on the 75.  Steve, I had no doubt you would see the omission!

One of these days the Model 75 receiver and roll-markings will be covered in-depth in Chapter 4, pages 137-145 in the Winchester Model 75 book. 

Best Regards,