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Can someone please prevent me from going off the deep end. Please prevent me from buying this by convincing me it’s a fake so I can finally get some sleep. I’m almost hopelessly infatuated with Winchester 22 pumps now and in a delicate state perfectly capable of making total jackass of myself.
Thanks!
Good morning,
I have surveyed right at 4400 individual Model 61 rifles in my survey. Of those only 8 have checkered stocks. Six of those are .22 magnums. Several of those are clearly non factory alterations. My feeling is that the rifle in question is not original. It is nice but not worth a premium. The checkering looks very crisp, and even thought the rifle is in good condition I would expect there to be a bit more wear to the pistol grip area of the stock. Cabela’s will ship (you pay) the gun to a store nearer you and you can go and get a much better look at it.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Online
Twobit’s suggestion is the best course of action if you are really interested in the rifle. Have Cabela’s ship it to your local store to examine in person.
That does appear to be the correct Winchester pattern for checkering on a .22 Rim Fire stock however a closer examination is necessary to verify potential authenticity. The checkering LPI should be measured and the overall workmanship should be evaluated. Winchester was not too careful on the .22 checkering and most have over-runs into the border when examined closely, this is normal. Many aftermarket checkering jobs are “too perfect” when compared to original checkering so a perfectly executed pattern always raises a red flag. I also have some concerns about the lower rear corners on that particular rifle’s pattern as they seem a bit muddled and not well defined due to the pistol grip geometry. Again, a closer evaluation is necessary.
Now, having said all of that, even if you do believe it is original checkering there is no way to ever validate the authenticity since there are no records for that type of special order feature on the Model 61 except in a few rare cases. Personally I would not pay that much of a premium for a non-verifiable and potentially post-production addition to a rifle. If it is incorrect it will lower the overall collectible value of the rifle and if it is correct it can’t be proven. That is a no-win investment.
Hope that helps.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Wouldn’t that 61 be considered a Deluxe, and I was under the impression that all Deluxe guns came with a capped pistol grip. Just asking. RRM
Rat Rod Mac said
Wouldn’t that 61 be considered a Deluxe, and I was under the impression that all Deluxe guns came with a capped pistol grip. Just asking. RRM
Also, higher grade of wood and a polished carrier are generally found on the deluxe models. The forearm would more than likely be checkered to match the stock as well.
Rat Rod Mac said
Wouldn’t that 61 be considered a Deluxe, and I was under the impression that all Deluxe guns came with a capped pistol grip. Just asking. RRM
Also, higher grade of wood and a polished carrier are generally found on the deluxe models. The forearm would more than likely be checkered to match the stock as well.
It has no other characteristics of a “Deluxe”. If it is correct it would simply have been a standard G6101R with the added option of checkering which was offered in the Winchester catalogs of the era. The catalogued checkering option did not typically include the addition of a grip cap.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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