Log In
October 31, 2026
Offline
Hello Forum,
I recently came into possession of my grandfather’s Winchester 69A rifle and have been referencing JWA’s excellent reference book to help with identification. I am leaning toward Catalog Model 6902, possibly Type 3, because it has the 75C bead front sight, blunt fore-end tip, blued down-turned bolt, recessed stock screw, and round receiver. It does not, however, have the 32B rear sight (it has the rear barrel sight blank) and instead has a Lyman 57E rear sight. It also has front and rear stock holes for screw eye swivels (swivels and strap are gone), though I am unsure if these are original or were added later. These latter attributes make me question whether it could be a variety of the Match model, or even a JTSS. Any insights are greatly appreciated. My father told me once that this gun was incredibly accurate, though I have yet to shoot it. I am a Guest member and not sure if I am able to upload pictures…if so I will.
Thank you all.
Mike
July 17, 2012
Offline
Hi and Welcome!
Pictures really do help a lot, you can send them to me directly and I can upload them for you.
If it is a pre-war Match rifle the barrel will be marked for short, long and long rifle and drilled and tapped for scope bases with plug screws installed. If it is a post-war Match rifle the barrel will be chambered for .22 Long Rifle only and the barrel will not be drilled and tapped.
Take lots of pictures and we should be able to help you figure it out.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
April 30, 2023
Online
Welcome to the forum, Mike! Join WACA if you’re able!
October 31, 2026
Offline
Thank you all…great to be here.
I have emailed the pics and look forward to (and am grateful for) any help that can be provided.
July 17, 2012
Offline
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
October 31, 2026
Offline
Thank you Jeff and apologies on using the wrong format…I have just sent the additional requested pics (in JPEG 🙂) and I look forward to understanding further what I’ve got here, should you be able to draw any more conclusions. What you’ve shared so far is super helpful and explains my confusion and inability to make a clean identification. Upon closer inspection of that front sight, I found what I think reads as a small “Lyman” punch, so there you go. On the underside of the barrel (just under the rear barrel sight blank) there appears to be a number “7”, and then further back on the underside of the barrel, beneath the bolt, there is either a “3” or a partial “8”…those were all the markings I could find. Distance from toe to center of rear swivel hole is 1 3/8”, and I suspect the stock was notched after the fact to accommodate the Lyman from what I am seeing with the barrel removed. No worries on me digging up this additional info for you, I’m just grateful to have you and the forum helping me. Plus it’s fascinating to learn about this piece which clearly has a story to it.
July 17, 2012
Offline
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
October 31, 2026
Offline
Thank you Jeff!
Mystery solved! That fits perfectly…and I love that it represents “his” version of the Match 😉 As a standard pre-war G6902R(2) Type 3 (with later modification) I’m assuming that puts its manufacture between 1938 and 1942. Given its age, do you recommend retiring it, or can it be occasionally fired (perhaps w/ custom loading?). Also, any thoughts on fitting it with the missing age-appropriate swivels and strap, or leaving it as is?
July 17, 2012
Offline
Hi Mike,
Yes, it can be fired with modern .22 rimfire standard velocity ammunition with no issue. Production of that particular rifle was likely 1938-1941 as the 69A rifles in 1942 were equipped with checked steel butt plates since “plastics” (petroleum products) were designated essential war materials by that time with the creation of the War Production Board (WPB) and subsequent restrictions in January of 1942.
To restore your Grandfather’s vision of that rifle I would install Winchester 1″ sling swivels in the existing holes and a 1″ Winchester style leather sling strap.
The sling swivels are readily available on eBay (the front swivel is machine threads with a knurled nut) and the strap you are looking for is the 1″ wide Winchester 3259 Leather Gun Sling (or facsimile) as illustrated on page 378 in the Model 69 book.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
April 30, 2023
Online
Just wanna say as I usually do….how awesome it is to have your grandfather’s rifle!
November 7, 2015
Offline
Mike-
Shoot it! I’m betting your father was right and it would be a shame not to enjoy shooting just as your grandfather and maybe your father did. Looking forward to a range report. As JWA points out it will probably prefer standard velocity or target ammo.
Mike
February 26, 2021
Offline
JWA said
To restore your Grandfather’s vision of that rifle I would install Winchester 1″ sling swivels in the existing holes and a 1″ Winchester style leather sling strap.
The sling swivels are readily available on eBay (the front swivel is machine threads with a knurled nut) and the strap you are looking for is the 1″ wide Winchester 3259 Leather Gun Sling (or facsimile) as illustrated on page 378 in the Model 69 book.
Best Regards,
The period sling and swivels will make a nice addition…….
1 Guest(s)
