September 21, 2016
OfflineJeremy P said
Are we sure of the factory smooth bore version? I can’t remember any references to these…looks like a non standard font stamping but that pic doesn’t load up to sufficient size for me…link me to a reference if there is one, would like to read about it!
Jeremy,
I don’t have a specific link readily available. I’ve read about these for decades. Back before they were “collectable”.
Apparently the most common variation is the regular 27” 22 s,l,lr M67 barrel with rifle sights, reamed out to smooth bore by the factory, and the “smooth bore” stamp added just below/behind the rear barrel sight.
Ive read that there are up to 4 variations of the “smooth bore” stamp, and have seen them in early finger grooved stocks.
There’s also a “for shot only” variation w/ a 24” barrel that came with a single bead or double bead sight arrangement.
This could be a “fake”. It wasn’t advertised or priced as anything special. The barrel finish appears 100% original to me.
I can’t remember if there’s any reference to these in Houze’s single shot book, but think there was…
Clear as mud – right!
November 7, 2015
Offlinejsgwoodsman said
Ha!
It’s going to be a while until goose season comes around again, but I’ll be ready!
It has accounted for one pest squirrel inside a barn.
I’d like to give it a try on yellow jackets and hornets. Wasp and hornet spray only reaches so far and it’s nasty enough to require a wind check!
Mike
September 21, 2016
OfflineTXGunNut said
jsgwoodsman said
Ha!
It’s going to be a while until goose season comes around again, but I’ll be ready!
It has accounted for one pest squirrel inside a barn.
I’d like to give it a try on yellow jackets and hornets. Wasp and hornet spray only reaches so far and it’s nasty enough to require a wind check!
Mike
Mike
Effective range seems to be on the 7-10 yard bracket at best.
Within those guidelines, there isn’t a flying insect with a stinger that’s safe!
August 14, 2021
OfflineJeremy P said
Are we sure of the factory smooth bore version? I can’t remember any references to these…looks like a non standard font stamping but that pic doesn’t load up to sufficient size for me…link me to a reference if there is one, would like to read about it!
Madis discusses the smoothbore in the Winchester Handbook, states offered starting in 1936.
April 30, 2023
OfflineSteven Gabrielli said
Jeremy P said
Are we sure of the factory smooth bore version? I can’t remember any references to these…looks like a non standard font stamping but that pic doesn’t load up to sufficient size for me…link me to a reference if there is one, would like to read about it!
Madis discusses the smoothbore in the Winchester Handbook, states offered starting in 1936.
Thanks I’ll look there and the mentioned Houze single shot book….must’ve missed that on my previous read-through…but, I also have CRS…so….
EDIT: p. 151 of the Houze book, very quick mention.
April 30, 2023
Offlinejsgwoodsman said
Jeremy P said
Are we sure of the factory smooth bore version? I can’t remember any references to these…looks like a non standard font stamping but that pic doesn’t load up to sufficient size for me…link me to a reference if there is one, would like to read about it!
Jeremy,
I don’t have a specific link readily available. I’ve read about these for decades. Back before they were “collectable”.
Apparently the most common variation is the regular 27” 22 s,l,lr M67 barrel with rifle sights, reamed out to smooth bore by the factory, and the “smooth bore” stamp added just below/behind the rear barrel sight.
Ive read that there are up to 4 variations of the “smooth bore” stamp, and have seen them in early finger grooved stocks.
There’s also a “for shot only” variation w/ a 24” barrel that came with a single bead or double bead sight arrangement.
This could be a “fake”. It wasn’t advertised or priced as anything special. The barrel finish appears 100% original to me.
I can’t remember if there’s any reference to these in Houze’s single shot book, but think there was…
Clear as mud – right!
Interesting on the differing stampings, I will have to keep an eye out in the wild for these!
February 19, 2014
OfflineAccording to Herbert Houze on page 160 of his book.
The model 67 smooth bore was introduced in September of 1936 with standard rifle sights. With the Miniature target bore introduced on April 24th 1940. It had a 24 inch smooth bore skeet choke barrel with the same sight as the model 12.
December 9, 2002
OfflineNice example Joel,
As I just completed a 7 rifle, .22 caliber trade, for an unbelievable, high condition Custom Winchester Rifle, with a well known Collector/Dealer, and one of the prizes, was a “Smoothbore”, M-67, with a Chrome bolt as yours is, and it was no less than 95-98%, according to his and my opinion. Looks like the twin to the one that you have in all reality, as the barrel blue was so good, you could still see the fine factory tooling lines in the original dark bluing, (like yours does), that we like to see. She was a safe queen and never saw the range, as thee bore was pretty darn shiny! 
Enjoy you’re find, I haven’t seen too many in my years of collecting, or even heard of them.
Tony
September 21, 2016
OfflineAnthony said
Nice example Joel,
As I just completed a 7 rifle, .22 caliber trade, for an unbelievable, high condition Custom Winchester Rifle, with a well known Collector/Dealer, and one of the prizes, was a “Smoothbore”, M-67, with a Chrome bolt as yours is, and it was no less than 95-98%, according to his and my opinion. Looks like the twin to the one that you have in all reality, as the barrel blue was so good, you could still see the fine factory tooling lines in the original dark bluing, (like yours does), that we like to see. She was a safe queen and never saw the range, as thee bore was pretty darn shiny!
Enjoy you’re find, I haven’t seen too many in my years of collecting, or even heard of them.
Tony
Thanks Tony,
For clarification, did you trade away the above mentioned M-67 Smooth Bore, or take it in through the trade? If you ended up with it, I’d love to see photos – especially of the Smooth Bore stamp for comparison.
In discussing this with a gentleman on rimfirecentral who collects 67s, he told me the following:
“Model #G6720R. It was authorized in late 1936, but didn’t appear in the catalogs until 1938. It was last cataloged in 1947. It has a 27″ barrel and standard 67 sights (32B rear and 75C front). I’ve seen smoothbores with all three stock configurations that occurred during that time period (grooved forearm, blunt forearm, post-war tapered forearm). All of them had the ‘Smooth Bore’ marking on the left side of the barrel, just behind the rear sight.”
*It would be interesting to see catalogs for 1938-47 to confirm these being offered. All I have is a 1938 Salesman catalogue and it doesn’t mention the smooth bore… although it does mention being able to order model 71s in calibers other than 348 wcf!
December 9, 2002
Offlinejsgwoodsman said
Anthony said
Nice example Joel,
As I just completed a 7 rifle, .22 caliber trade, for an unbelievable, high condition Custom Winchester Rifle, with a well known Collector/Dealer, and one of the prizes, was a “Smoothbore”, M-67, with a Chrome bolt as yours is, and it was no less than 95-98%, according to his and my opinion. Looks like the twin to the one that you have in all reality, as the barrel blue was so good, you could still see the fine factory tooling lines in the original dark bluing, (like yours does), that we like to see. She was a safe queen and never saw the range, as thee bore was pretty darn shiny!
Enjoy you’re find, I haven’t seen too many in my years of collecting, or even heard of them.
Tony
Thanks Tony,
For clarification, did you trade away the above mentioned M-67 Smooth Bore, or take it in through the trade? If you ended up with it, I’d love to see photos – especially of the Smooth Bore stamp for comparison.
In discussing this with a gentleman on rimfirecentral who collects 67s, he told me the following:
“Model #G6720R. It was authorized in late 1936, but didn’t appear in the catalogs until 1938. It was last cataloged in 1947. It has a 27″ barrel and standard 67 sights (32B rear and 75C front). I’ve seen smoothbores with all three stock configurations that occurred during that time period (grooved forearm, blunt forearm, post-war tapered forearm). All of them had the ‘Smooth Bore’ marking on the left side of the barrel, just behind the rear sight.”
*It would be interesting to see catalogs for 1938-47 to confirm these eing offered. All I have is a 1938 Salesman catalogue and it doesn’t mention the smooth bore… although it does mention being able to order model 71s in calibers other than 348 wcf!
Yes, I traded it away as part of a 7 rifle trade! It was marked Identical to you’re, and the exact same configuration, including the same sights.
Tony
November 7, 2015
Offlinejsgwoodsman said
XLIV said
I passed on one just like it recently that had wrong sights and custom stock. Got 20 miles down the road, turned around and it was gone.
44
This happens to me anytime I walk away from a deal to “think about it”.
Sometimes it’s for the best, sometimes not!
Sometimes you gotta listen to that little voice and walk away. OTOH if you pick it up off the rack or table more than twice it needs to go home with you.
Mike
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