Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Rimfire Hat Trick
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
October 22, 2017 - 4:07 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Had a great time at the Texas Gun Collectors’ show this weekend, did a bit of survey work and in doing so ran into a friend who just happened to have several very nice Winchester 22’s on his table. I had to choose from a 47, 57, 67, two 69A’s, a 72 and a 74.

It was a tough choice, this dilemma (or two many glasses of iced tea) had me up perusing my reference library about 3 this morning. 😉

Of course, I had to have a 69A. One was a very nice 90%+ gun with a grooved receiver, sling swivels, even a bright bolt and trigger guard. Second selection was what appears to be a very late (sn 18309) 57 with peep sights and sling swivels, also a strong 90% gun. Third selection was a nice 47 that is also in very good condition. I can’t recall seeing one before and it’s a very intereresting little rifle. All in 22LR, all going to the range tomorrow if this rain quits in time. May even take & post a few pics if the weather co-operates.

Dale also had correct magazines for the repeaters and as a bonus sold me a nice old 10-round magazine for a reasonable price. 

Couldn’t warm up to the 74 in spite of a cool peep sight mounted at the rear of the receiver. Didn’t need another 72 and the 67 didn’t do anything for me…even though I bid on one at the auction later. 

Lots of Winchesters at the show, many quite good. Will post the results of my survey efforts after a bit of sleep. 

 

Mike

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2110
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
October 22, 2017 - 12:02 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

They are all great rifles, congrats!  To bad you passed on the 74.  The model with the Winchester 88 peep sight is fairly rare and usually brings at least double what a standard 74 sells for.

Would love to see pics of your purchases.

Best Regards,

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
October 22, 2017 - 1:21 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

JWA said
They are all great rifles, congrats!  To bad you passed on the 74.  The model with the Winchester 88 peep sight is fairly rare and usually brings at least double what a standard 74 sells for.

Would love to see pics of your purchases.

Best Regards,  

I just didn’t know enough about it to make that call, Jeff. I wasn’t sure it was correct and didn’t know it commanded that much of a premium. If that’s the correct sight I should probably head down there before the show closes. On further review it looks like what Madis identifies as a Model 80 sight and if his notes are right it is probably the correct sight, sn is 164058A suggesting a build date of 1947. It’s priced right for a rifle without the sight. Seller knows it’s rare but apparently didn’t allow for it in his pricing, he’s a Blue Book guy.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2323
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
October 22, 2017 - 3:59 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

In my collection, I have 2 nice M47’s. These rifles are extremely accurate. At least mine are. I recently bought a M74 with the very late and scarce, grooved receiver. A 99% rifle, I paid a premium of $493 for it shipped. Good take on the M57. 100% original rifles are very hard to find. The magazines are the first to go. Usually they have a 22 LONGR marked follower. Mine is # 25170, and has a 1931 bbl. date. The bolt should be numbered to the gun. Sometimes the bbl. mounted sight is missing.

JWA is certainly correct on the M74 with peep sight. I have never seen one for sale. You should have grabbed that one.

Your collection seems to be coming along just fine. A nice M56, M58, M59, a M60-A target, A M68, M75, and a M77 are in your future. The M60-A is the rarest one, followed by the M56 and the M59.  Good luck my friend. Ask JWA, if it does not take a lot of time to build a 22 collection.   Big Larry

Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2110
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
October 22, 2017 - 5:03 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

TXGunNut said

JWA said
They are all great rifles, congrats!  To bad you passed on the 74.  The model with the Winchester 88 peep sight is fairly rare and usually brings at least double what a standard 74 sells for.

Would love to see pics of your purchases.

Best Regards,  

I just didn’t know enough about it to make that call, Jeff. I wasn’t sure it was correct and didn’t know it commanded that much of a premium. If that’s the correct sight I should probably head down there before the show closes. On further review it looks like what Madis identifies as a Model 80 sight and if his notes are right it is probably the correct sight, sn is 164058A suggesting a build date of 1947. It’s priced right for a rifle without the sight. Seller knows it’s rare but apparently didn’t allow for it in his pricing, he’s a Blue Book guy.  

I don’t think Madis is correct if he calls it a model 80 sight.  It should be a Winchester 88A peep sight which mounts in a dovetail at the back of the bolt.

If the rifle is in decent shape and you get it for less than $400 you stole it.  The sight is worth $200 if complete.

Worth the trip back in my opinion if the rifle is correct.

Best Regards,

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2110
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
October 22, 2017 - 7:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Here is what the 88A looks like on the Model 74

IMG_0662.JPGImage Enlarger74-5.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
October 22, 2017 - 9:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yes, that’s the one I saw on this rifle.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2110
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
October 22, 2017 - 11:17 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

TXGunNut said
Yes, that’s the one I saw on this rifle.  

If you can contact your friend you should follow-up.  If you don’t want it I would be interested. 

They are not ULTRA rare but I only see about 1 or 2/year and that is from the culmination of a LOT of gun shows and shops over the year.  I found 2 at Tulsa last year (and bought them both) but each was missing a part of the 88A peep.

The Winchester 88A peep was only used on the Model 74 and requires a different (dovetailed) bolt stop which sets it apart from a standard Model 74.   With the sight set at the back of the bolt it creates and extremely long sight radius (over 30″) and really squeezes the accuracy from the 74.

 

Best Regards,

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
October 23, 2017 - 12:24 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

PM sent.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
October 23, 2017 - 2:25 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Just a tease until I have better conditions:

 

IMG_0049.JPGImage EnlargerIMG_0050.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
October 23, 2017 - 3:52 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Big Larry said
In my collection, I have 2 nice M47’s. These rifles are extremely accurate. At least mine are. I recently bought a M74 with the very late and scarce, grooved receiver. A 99% rifle, I paid a premium of $493 for it shipped. Good take on the M57. 100% original rifles are very hard to find. The magazines are the first to go. Usually they have a 22 LONGR marked follower. Mine is # 25170, and has a 1931 bbl. date. The bolt should be numbered to the gun. Sometimes the bbl. mounted sight is missing.

JWA is certainly correct on the M74 with peep sight. I have never seen one for sale. You should have grabbed that one.

Your collection seems to be coming along just fine. A nice M56, M58, M59, a M60-A target, A M68, M75, and a M77 are in your future. The M60-A is the rarest one, followed by the M56 and the M59.  Good luck my friend. Ask JWA, if it does not take a lot of time to build a 22 collection.   Big Larry  

Oops, didn’t think to check the SN on the 57 bolt. Seller didn’t know or he would have told me. Live and learn. He did tell me the mag was original. Fold down barrel sight is present and in good condition. 

I gave Jeff the seller’s contact info, for some reason I can’t get interested in the 74. I’ll won’t kick myself as hard if it finds a good home with him.

Actually I do have a 75 target rifle but it’s not in an original stock. I looked at a very nice 75 Sporter I’d grade at around 90%….but he had it priced like a 100% gun. Only glaring hole in my collection is a 52 but I’ll patch that up in good time. I’m not trying to build a complete or even representative collection, just an interesting one. But we all know what the road to that hot place is paved with. 😉 I don’t think I have more than seven at the moment so I won’t be catching JWA anytime soon.

69A is the one I’m most pleased with, looking forward to reading Jeff’s book with that rifle lying on my reference book table someday.

All three passed a closer inspection tonight with the exception of the bolt SN on the 57. 47’s stock was loose but an 80 degree turn of the screw fixed that. It’s a school night so test firing will have to wait.

Had a funny thought this afternoon, I saw some Japanese tourists taking pics of a scruffy-looking old fat guy toting an armload of rifles a half mile down Exchange Street in the Ft Worth Stockyards yesterday. Never occurred to me why they found that interesting. 

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2110
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
October 23, 2017 - 10:00 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

What a coincidence, I used to have seven also!

Thanks again for the contact info.  I will follow up when I land.

Best Regards,

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
October 23, 2017 - 12:43 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Had had a call from Dale this morning, told him you’d be calling. 

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Location: 32000' +
Moderator
Moderator
Forum Posts: 2110
Member Since:
July 17, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
October 23, 2017 - 10:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

TXGunNut said
Had had a call from Dale this morning, told him you’d be calling.   

Got him on the phone, thanks!  I am in TN for the next few days but will meet him in CA on Friday to pick it up.

Thanks for the contact info and passing on the rifle.  Eventually you might be sorry, if so you will always have first dibs on it from me.

Best Regards,

WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire

http://rimfirepublications.com/  

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
October 23, 2017 - 11:30 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

JWA said

Got him on the phone, thanks!  I am in TN for the next few days but will meet him in CA on Friday to pick it up.

Thanks for the contact info and passing on the rifle.  Eventually you might be sorry, if so you will always have first dibs on it from me.

Best Regards, 

Good, I hope you’re happy with the rifle but if you recall I had the pick of the litter and took the three I liked best. Least I could do was let you in on a good rifle. I think I’ll focus on bolt guns for now, I tried real hard to follow your advice but just couldn’t talk myself into it.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
16
October 24, 2017 - 12:14 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

RANGE REPORT!

I’m a passable wordsmith when the mood strikes me but it’s difficult to describe how I feel about my latest acquisitions. First of all, the seller is either a liar or a very generous man. I’m almost positive Dale told me he’d shot the 47 he sold me but I’m having serious doubts. This little rifle SHOOTS! Laugh If he’d actually shot this rifle I don’t think he’d ever offer it for sale. Call me greedy but the executor of my estate is going to be the next seller of this rifle.Laugh Spent too much time on the trap field today so when I got to the rifle range the light was fading a bit but it’s pretty obvious I need to run some match ammo through this little jewel. Trigger is among the best I’ve pulled and I have triggers that cost almost as much as this rifle.

The 69A needs a trigger job but I know a gunsmith who is an artist in that area; two or three strokes with a file and he’ll have it down where it should be. The 57 is solid as a rock, it didn’t much care for the crappy PMC ammo I grabbed on the way out the door but it sure showed some promise. I see some match ammo in this little rifle’s future as well.

I don’t know if any of these rifles will keep up with my 75 but I couldn’t be happier with the way all three functioned and shot. It was a little spooky when I realized all three shot within less than an inch of my point of aim with a random box of shells I grabbed off the shelf.

Just talked to Dale, he’s dealing with a flat tire but I was wrong about him shooting the rifle. I guess that’s his loss, if he moves to the area as planned I’ll certainly let him shoot it. Wink He also told me that he’d bought it from an old man who had received it from his father on his tenth birthday. It’s nice to know the story of a rifle like this one, I’ll certainly give it a good home for as long as I’m able!Smile

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2323
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
17
October 24, 2017 - 3:33 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

TXGunNut said
RANGE REPORT!

I’m a passable wordsmith when the mood strikes me but it’s difficult to describe how I feel about my latest acquisitions. First of all, the seller is either a liar or a very generous man. I’m almost positive Dale told me he’d shot the 47 he sold me but I’m having serious doubts. This little rifle SHOOTS! Laugh If he’d actually shot this rifle I don’t think he’d ever offer it for sale. Call me greedy but the executor of my estate is going to be the next seller of this rifle.Laugh Spent too much time on the trap field today so when I got to the rifle range the light was fading a bit but it’s pretty obvious I need to run some match ammo through this little jewel. Trigger is among the best I’ve pulled and I have triggers that cost almost as much as this rifle.

The 69A needs a trigger job but I know a gunsmith who is an artist in that area; two or three strokes with a file and he’ll have it down where it should be. The 57 is solid as a rock, it didn’t much care for the crappy PMC ammo I grabbed on the way out the door but it sure showed some promise. I see some match ammo in this little rifle’s future as well.

I don’t know if any of these rifles will keep up with my 75 but I couldn’t be happier with the way all three functioned and shot. It was a little spooky when I realized all three shot within less than an inch of my point of aim with a random box of shells I grabbed off the shelf.

Just talked to Dale, he’s dealing with a flat tire but I was wrong about him shooting the rifle. I guess that’s his loss, if he moves to the area as planned I’ll certainly let him shoot it. Wink He also told me that he’d bought it from an old man who had received it from his father on his tenth birthday. It’s nice to know the story of a rifle like this one, I’ll certainly give it a good home for as long as I’m able!Smile  

Man, I could have told you. I have two M47’s. One I have fired and the other is in waiting. Mine is very accurate at 50 yards with cheepo 37 gr. HP’s. I never did fire it with Red Box Eley, as it is certainly not a target rifle. I have 10 M75’s to include two Sporters and have never fired one. BTW, once you have fired a nice M52, you may never go back to regular 22 rifles. My heavy M52’s will all shoot into a dime at 100 yards. Eley ammo of course. Good luck, Big Larry

 

DSCF0255.JPGImage EnlargerM47.jpgImage EnlargerWinchester-Model-1902.jpgImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
18
October 24, 2017 - 5:46 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yes, you could have told me. But I had a great time going out and shooting all three. My gunsmith is a bit under the weather so the 69A will have to wait. Too windy for serious shooting today, maybe tomorrow.

 

Mike

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 55
Member Since:
July 9, 2006
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
19
October 24, 2017 - 8:30 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

JWA said

I don’t think Madis is correct if he calls it a model 80 sight.  It should be a Winchester 88A peep sight which mounts in a dovetail at the back of the bolt.

If the rifle is in decent shape and you get it for less than $400 you stole it.  The sight is worth $200 if complete.

Worth the trip back in my opinion if the rifle is correct.

Best Regards,  

If we are looking at the Madis “The Winchester Book” on chapter on Peep Sights here is a mistake in that the  Model 88-A sight and Model 80 sight pictures are transposed.

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
20
October 24, 2017 - 8:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

ray said

If we are looking at the Madis “The Winchester Book” on chapter on Peep Sights here is a mistake in that the  Model 88-A sight and Model 80 sight pictures are transposed.  

I was indeed, thanks for the clarification, Ray.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 778
Currently Online: Randycrockett, Jeremy P, MNwin
Guest(s) 141
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 6280
TXGunNut: 4969
Chuck: 4571
1873man: 4281
steve004: 4160
Big Larry: 2323
twobit: 2291
TR: 1710
mrcvs: 1706
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 12648
Posts: 109978

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1745
Members: 8791
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation