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There’s a couple of mod. 61 smooth bores coming up at L.S.& B. Auctions, lots 194 and 195. Are they legit or should I be somewhere else doing something else on the 28th?
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
There’s a couple of mod. 61 smooth bores coming up at L.S.& B. Auctions, lots 194 and 195. Are they legit or should I be somewhere else doing something else on the 28th?
Henry,
Both of those are new rifles for my survey data. They are in groups of other similar configuration rifles manufactured by Winchester. Especially 52010. They are the early Counter Bore version after the Rutledge rifles made slightly earlier. But I do always wonder why anyone who ever bought these rifles at first apparently NEVER used them and they are always perfect.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
I have Ser. #52131 and it wasn’t used much either. My guess is WWII came along and then, people’s shooting interest changed direction. RDB
When I get a chance I’ll look up the number on mine as if I remember correctly it appears to be darn near untouched, but not unfired!
I got it from Tommy Rholes in Vegas years ago.
Antonio
Henry,
I can’t speak about 195 but, lot 194 appears correct. I have the same variation made in 1957 and I can’t see any differences. The barrel address and caliber markings are identical to mine.
I understand at that time in production all receivers would be grooved, but it always seemed silly to have a smoothbore with grooved receiver.
Theres also quite an assortment of Model 61s offered before and after those lots!
twobit said
But I do always wonder why anyone who ever bought these rifles at irst apparently NEVER used them and they are always perfect.
Michael
I wonder this also, but I feel like it’s about use case…as in, it would have such a finite, specialized real-world use that it just didn’t get “chosen” off the rifle rack for many day-to-day jobs…..hell, what would those real jobs be anyways….hunting hornets?
I wonder this also, but I feel like it’s about use case…as in, it would have such a finite, specialized real-world use that it just didn’t get “chosen” off the rifle rack for many day-to-day jobs…..hell, what would those real jobs be anyways….hunting hornets?
I’ve shot original mo-skeet-o clay pigeons with mine from about 20 feet.
I imagine a mouse/rat/chipmunk might fall prey to one of these at about 5 yards or closer. I’ve given some thought about sitting that distance from a blank paper target with some sort of bait that would attract flies – and try the 61’s effectiveness with them.
Back to Henry’s original topic though, I think I’d be please to own either rifle.
November 7, 2015
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Jeremy P said
twobit said
But I do always wonder why anyone who ever bought these rifles at irst apparently NEVER used them and they are always perfect.
Michael
I wonder this also, but I feel like it’s about use case…as in, it would have such a finite, specialized real-world use that it just didn’t get “chosen” off the rifle rack for many day-to-day jobs…..hell, what would those real jobs be anyways….hunting hornets?
Oddly enough the first smoothbore 22 I encountered was on a Boy Scout rifle range at summer camp some 50 years ago. As I recall it was mainly used to control the yellow jacket population (when no campers were present, of course!)
Mike
Mike, I love it as that was also my first experience with the model 61 on the rifle range at Boy Scout camp, earning the rifleman-ship merit badge on my way to Eagle Scout! Great memories, my friend! 
Antonio
Henry Mero said
There’s a couple of mod. 61 smooth bores coming up at L.S.& B. Auctions, lots 194 and 195. Are they legit or should I be somewhere else doing something else on the 28th?
Henry, I didn’t ever check the auctions, is this over and did you get one?
It’s over and no, I didn’t get one.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Anthony said
When I get a chance I’ll look up the number on mine as if I remember correctly it appears to be darn near untouched, but not unfired!
I got it from Tommy Rholes in Vegas years ago.
Antonio
I was able to take the 61 out and report the serial number for the purpose of the current survey, as#51789,(mfg. 1940), is in remarkable condition, .22 L.Rifle Caliber, -For Shot Only-, and stamped with a,”W”, in front of the trigger guard, on the bottom of the receiver.(indicating special testing on bluing process by Winchester), Standard 24 inch round barrel, plain grip stock.
Just an outstanding specimen, from Tommy Rholes, as I previously stated before.
Anthony
Anthony said
Anthony said
When I get a chance I’ll look up the number on mine as if I remember correctly it appears to be darn near untouched, but not unfired!
I got it from Tommy Rholes in Vegas years ago.
Antonio
I was able to take the 61 out and report the serial number for the purpose of the current survey, as#51789,(mfg. 1940), is in remarkable condition, .22 L.Rifle Caliber, -For Shot Only-, and stamped with a,”W”, in front of the trigger guard, on the bottom of the receiver.(indicating special testing on bluing process by Winchester), Standard 24 inch round barrel, plain grip stock.
Just an outstanding specimen, from Tommy Rholes, as I previously stated before.
Anthony
Anthony,
If a guy had been REAL lucky and buying some of these rifles SN 51789 would have fit right into the series between the two rifles in orange! Was the receiver top matted?
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Michael,
I can agree with you. So I went back and took a look, and yes the top of the receiver is Matted! I missed that at first glance earlier typing in the information. The matching Winchester Proof Mark stamp is to the left, forward of the matting, on the receiver, as the Winchester Proof Mark barrel stamp is @ 12 o’clock, where it should be, on the round barrel in front of the receiver.
Anthony
Rat Rod Mac said
What year or years were the Rutledge smooth bore 61’s produced? RRM
RRM,
According to the data which I have collected in my survey they are in the 45000 to 48000 serial number range which corresponds to production in 1939.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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