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August 7, 2024
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Grüezi,
I am looking for advice on a Winchester Thumb trigger I just bought. Do those rifles have serial numbers? And if so, where would I find it?
There is the big bit of engraved information on the top of the barrels close to the rear sight. But as far, I did not find any number except a single digit unter the bolt area. Either my eyes are that bad or I just missed them (ok, I was a bit in a hurry while cleaning it…
I will post pics later on, thank you for your help!
April 15, 2005
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The Thumb Trigger model was not serialized.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 7, 2024
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Thank you Bert! Happy to know my eyes are still working 😉
August 7, 2024
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I added some pictures, I am not sure, what I shall do, leave it in that condition or do some blueing?
Any suggestions?
April 15, 2005
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I personally would not do anything to it other than give it a light coat of oil on the steel and wood furniture oil on the stock. That old rifle earned its keep and its “battle scars” and should keep them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 7, 2024
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Bert H. said
I personally would not do anything to it other than give it a light coat of oil on the steel and wood furniture oil on the stock. That old rifle earned its keep and its “battle scars” and should keep them.
Bert
Thank you Bert!
I try to narrow the production period.
so far I learned, that the markings esp. about the patent and calibers may help. Since it is no „extra long“ it should be before 1920. Is there any hint to pinpoint it closer?
Since I like to shoot my firearms, i consider to give it a try with .22 short. The rifling is visible, but the first part of the barrel seems a bit rusty.
do I risk to get a blocked barrel?
Best regards from Switzerland
April 30, 2023
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She’ll shoot I bet. Check the barrel is unobstructed and give her hell.
April 15, 2005
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Goatkeeper said
Bert H. said
I personally would not do anything to it other than give it a light coat of oil on the steel and wood furniture oil on the stock. That old rifle earned its keep and its “battle scars” and should keep them.
Bert
Thank you Bert!
I try to narrow the production period.
so far I learned, that the markings esp. about the patent and calibers may help. Since it is no „extra long“ it should be before 1920. Is there any hint to pinpoint it closer?
Since I like to shoot my firearms, i consider to give it a try with .22 short. The rifling is visible, but the first part of the barrel seems a bit rusty.
do I risk to get a blocked barrel?
Best regards from Switzerland
The “Extra Long” was added in 1914. That indicates that your Thumb Trigger was manufactured sometime in the 1904 – 1913 timeframe.
Scrub the bore with solvent and a copper bore brush, then go shoot it.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 17, 2012
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Hi Goatkeeper,
Keep the rifle as is! Bluing it will de-value it (and not make it shoot any better).
We can narrow the date of manufacture down even further with a bit more information. Whether it has the WP in an oval proof mark in front of the breach on top of the barrel or not.
Based on your roll-marking (with the Feb. 1905 patent date and lack of Ex. Long chambering) your rifle was made between: March 1905 – June 1908 if it does NOT have the proof marking and July 1908 – 1914 if it DOES have the proof marking.
It is what I call a “Variation 21” (no proof mark) or “Variation 22” (with proof mark) in my notes.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
April 15, 2005
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JWA said
Hi Goatkeeper,
Keep the rifle as is! Bluing it will de-value it (and not make it shoot any better).
We can narrow the date of manufacture down even further with a bit more information. Whether it has the WP in an oval proof mark in front of the breach on top of the barrel or not.
Based on your roll-marking (with the Feb. 1905 patent date and lack of Ex. Long chambering) your rifle was made between: March 1905 – June 1908 if it does NOT have the proof marking and July 1908 – 1914 if it DOES have the proof marking.
It is what I call a “Variation 21” (no proof mark) or “Variation 22” (with proof mark) in my notes.
Best Regards,
I knew there was a good reason we keep you around! 
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 4, 2024
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The information y’all have on every model and the ability to locate it in your files is amazing!
August 7, 2024
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JWA said
Hi Goatkeeper,
Keep the rifle as is! Bluing it will de-value it (and not make it shoot any better).
We can narrow the date of manufacture down even further with a bit more information. Whether it has the WP in an oval proof mark in front of the breach on top of the barrel or not.
Based on your roll-marking (with the Feb. 1905 patent date and lack of Ex. Long chambering) your rifle was made between: March 1905 – June 1908 if it does NOT have the proof marking and July 1908 – 1914 if it DOES have the proof marking.
It is what I call a “Variation 21” (no proof mark) or “Variation 22” (with proof mark) in my notes.
Best Regards,
On top and on the right side is no proof mark. Where woult it be to find exactly if present?
Thank you, Thomas
July 17, 2012
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Hi Goatkeeper,
The WP proof mark on the Thumbtrigger was stamped on top of the barrel, in front of the breach and directly behind the rear sight.
Your rifle does not have a proof mark so it was made between March 1905 – June 1908, congrats, it is an early one!
After June of 1908 all of the Winchester .22 rifles were proof marked.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 7, 2024
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JWA said
Hi Goatkeeper,
The WP proof mark on the Thumbtrigger was stamped on top of the barrel, in front of the breach and directly behind the rear sight.
Your rifle does not have a proof mark so it was made between March 1905 – June 1908, congrats, it is an early one!
After June of 1908 all of the Winchester .22 rifles were proof marked.
Best Regards,
How cool – thank you for this information – makes it evwn more special for me. And seems to be a bargain for 100 francs…
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