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October 10, 2021
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Gentlemen,
Everything I have read suggest that after 90,000, the model 62 became the model 62A. A local gunstore is selling a 1946 production 62 that is barrel stamped “Model 62” and has a regular .22 short loading tube opening (not triangular like a gallery gun). Question: Should I expect a 1946 gun to be stamped Model 62A and if not, would a stamped “.22 short” gun have a regular loading port. The blueing looks original, however, in areas where one would expect wear, like the pump slide rails and the top of the bolt carrier, there is little; as well as no silvering of the edges. I am wondering if someone would go to the trouble of replacing a barrel and tube thinking a .22 short gun would get mistaken for a rarer gun. I have not checked to see if the bolt carrier is for a .22 short. Thanks for thoughts.
April 15, 2005
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If the rifle in question was manufactured in 1946 as you suggest, it most definitely should have “62A” marked barrel on it. Do both serial numbers on the rifle match? In answer to your question about someone going to the trouble of swapping a barrel, the unfortunate answer is Yes. There are simply way too many dealers out there that will rebuild (fake) a Winchester with intent to cheat a buyer into paying a premium price for it.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 10, 2021
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Yes both the receiver and the bottom tang have the same serial #183655. the script on the barrel reads, ” Winchester -MODEL 62-” second line “- 22 SHORT-” so maybe the barrel was replaced? The gunstore does not have a range, not sure if they will demonstrate whether the carrier will handle 22 shorts…but it seems like that would tell the tale? The bottom and top tang have single screws YOu don’t think a parts clean up would have produced an oddball?
April 15, 2005
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Bryan,
The standard Model 62 and 62A carriers were specifically made to handle 22 Short, 22 Long, and 22 Long Rifle cartridges interchangeably, so cycling a 22 Short through the rifle in question is not going to tell you much.
While it is remotely possible that a parts clean-up Model 62 rifle barrel was used to assemble this specific rifle, the odds are greatly stacked against it. The Model 62A was offered and manufactured in 22 Short only well before 1946. If this rifle had been a pre-WW II model 62A, it would be much more likely to be a parts clean-up. The serial number you mention was manufactured in the latter half of September 1946.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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