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More Routledge bore Model 61's than thought!
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May 13, 2025 - 12:11 am
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Kmbr said
Hello,

My Routledge is #42169.It was my first m61 and it took me about 5 years to convince my buddy to sell it to me.That was 40 years ago.Time sure does fly by!

 

I only have one Routledge bore rifle earlier than yours that is SN 41860.  Then yours.  Then 43582.  Then every other RB rifle is in the 45xxx to 48xxx SN range.  Could you please post some photos of your rifle?

Thanks

Michael

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May 13, 2025 - 11:17 pm
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Sorry the correct # is #45169.Here a couple of photos.

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May 14, 2025 - 9:49 pm
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Kmbr said
Sorry the correct # is #45169.Here a couple of photos.

  

That SN makes a big difference!  Thanks.  The photos did not make it.  Can you send them to me at [email protected]  Is there a “W” stamped between the serial number and the trigger guard?

Michael

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May 17, 2025 - 11:10 pm
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IMG_4100.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_4101.jpgImage EnlargerHere are the photos.

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May 31, 2025 - 3:11 pm
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What is the Routledge count now?

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May 31, 2025 - 4:22 pm
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Kmbr said
What is the Routledge count now?

  

There are currently 92 Routledge bore rifles identified.

Michael

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May 31, 2025 - 7:14 pm
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Michael,

Educate us, as far as the difference between the Rutledge bore rifles, and the Smooth bore rifles.

 

Is there an updated count on the Smooth bores in you’re survey? 

Which if I’m not mistaken, might be more common than the Rutledge bore model 61’s! 

 

Anthony

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May 31, 2025 - 9:38 pm
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Anthony said
Michael,

Educate us, as far as the difference between the Rutledge bore rifles, and the Smooth bore rifles.

Is there an updated count on the Smooth bores in you’re survey? 

Which if I’m not mistaken, might be more common than the Rutledge bore model 61’s! 

Anthony

It is my understanding that the Routledge bore barrels are counterbored (with a slightly larger diameter bore) for a specified length whereas the Smoothbore rifles have the same diameter for the entire length of the barrel.  To really muddy the waters, it is my understanding that Winchester for a short period of time also manufactured a counterbored .22 caliber barrel for the Model 61, but the counterbore diameter is smaller than the Routledge counterbore, and has a different length/depth.

Bert

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June 1, 2025 - 12:52 am
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Bert,

Thanks for clarifying that. To be perfectly honest, I did hear something to the additional counter bored effect, but never really understood it. 

So with that being said, how are they marked, or identified, showing the differences? 

 

Anthony

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June 1, 2025 - 5:38 am
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Anthony said
Bert,

Thanks for clarifying that. To be perfectly honest, I did hear something to the additional counter bored effect, but never really understood it. 

So with that being said, how are they marked, or identified, showing the differences? 

Anthony  

They are identified by the serial number range, and by the bore diameter at the muzzle.  I suspect that most are overlooked or not properly identified when found at gun shows & gun shops.

Bert

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June 1, 2025 - 10:00 am
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Bert H. said

Anthony said

Bert,

Thanks for clarifying that. To be perfectly honest, I did hear something to the additional counter bored effect, but never really understood it. 

So with that being said, how are they marked, or identified, showing the differences? 

Anthony  

They are identified by the serial number range, and by the bore diameter at the muzzle.  I suspect that most are overlooked or not properly identified when found at gun shows & gun shops.

Bert

  

Once again Bert, I am in agreement with you. As without any prior knowledge of this, most including myself would not know to look at the bore, at the muzzle end, and only look at the address, as I have done in the past, and would love to see a serial number break down as it’s developing, from the good survey work that’s on going. Thanks again, for this additional information.Smile

Anthony

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June 1, 2025 - 1:45 pm
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Good morning,

The Routlege bore rifles are found in the serial number range between roughly 45000 and 48200.  The altered portion of the bore is deeper and larger than the subsequent Winchester Counterbore rifles.  Counterbore examples appear at serial number 51000 and extend all the way until 280000.  The caliber stamp is the same for each.  My reference books are back in Houston and out of reach until October.   Both of these variations have matted top receivers, no rear sight and a single bead front sight.  They are effectively a shotgun not a rifle.  Winchester also produced “straight bore” for shot only guns.  I have many times found Model 61’s described as smoothbores and only after asking for additional images of the muzzle face found them to be counterbore examples.  Therefore, the exact number and SN range of counterbore and straight bore guns does have some error associated with them.

Michael  

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June 2, 2025 - 12:37 am
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Thanks Michael, 

That additional information, with the serial numbers really helps a lot, and the fact that the matted top receivers for the first two variations also! Smile

I will add those notes to my Book!

 

Anthony

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