Good morning all,

While entering rifles into my Model 61 survey I came across this one this morning while in my hotel room in chilly Traverse City , MI.   The receiver is serialized at number 20154 corresponding to 1936.  The magazine end cap is “non collared” which is correct for the time.  BUT, The slide handle has 17 grooves!!!  What????  That does not show up until the 44000 range about three years later in 1939.  The slide handle MUST be replaced flashes in my coffee stimulated brain.  I look at the SN again to make certain it looks correct and by chance notice the “W” stamped a couple inches below it.  What???  Again.  Way to early for that to be there.  That does not consistently show up until around SN 43000 during 1939.  So…..  Apparently this receiver was manufactured and serialized during 1936, but was not blued until sometime between 1939 and early 1941 when the bluing process was changed and Winchester marked the receiver bottoms with the “W”.   So an apparent +3 year shelf life for a non blued receiver!   

The story is in the details.

Michael