clarence said
According to Watrous, 6,118 Target models were built between ’33 & ’39.  The combined production of 60 & 60A standard models (not actually designated “Sporter” by factory) was 165,754, from 12-30 to ’34, so it was selling well even in the Depression.  60s had 23″ brl, but 60A increased to 27″ in ’33.

  

The information Clarence posted is exactly correct for the production numbers and barrel lengths.  Just to clarify, the 60A initially had a 23″ barrel like the precursor 60 but was later changed to a 27″ barrel so the 60A can be found with both barrel lengths while the 60 only has a 23″ barrel.

Some of the misinformation on the Model 60A stems from Herb Houze’s book “To the Dreams of Youth” where it appears as if he misinterpreted the production records and lumped the 60A “Takedown” rifle (again, as Clarence mentioned, “Sporting” or “Sporter” was not used on this model) in with the limited production 60A “Target”.  The other part of the confusion stems from the fact that Winchester did not call the revised 60A “Takedown” rifle by that number in the subsequent catalogs but still referred to it as a “Model 60” although the barrel roll-marking, finger grooves and barrel length clearly denoted a 60A in the illustrations.

Best Regards,