Log In
November 7, 2015
Offline
Dropped by the orphanage on a social call today. As often happens I saw a nice little rifle that I’d somehow missed on a similar trip last week. Right next to another gun that I’ve been eyeballing was a very clean 61 that just happens to be 61 years old. 
(254480) It’s a standard 61 in S, L and LR with a grooved receiver. Gun has been fired but it looks nearly new. I won’t give a gun this old a 98% score but with only a hint of bluing wear at the outside edge of the muzzle and a few very minor handling marks I’ll rate it 95% with no problem. I normally like a gun with a bit of character but I can’t pass up a like-new 61 year old Winchester when the price is right. Besides, I can’t call myself a collector of Winchester .22’s without a 61 in the mix somewhere. Right?
Got in too late for pics but other than the very high condition there’s nothing remarkable about this rifle.
Mike
November 7, 2015
Offline
Took a few pics of my latest treasure but as usual they don’t do it justice.
Mike
March 20, 2009
Offline
TXGunNut said
Took a few pics of my latest treasure but as usual they don’t do it justice.
Mike
Very nice and congrats Mike!!
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 7, 2015
Offline
Thanks, feel lucky to have stumbled onto it.
Mike
September 28, 2016
Offline
Nice find Mike, that’s a beauty. I’ve got one about 33,000 serial numbers earlier in the same configuration. The metal on mine is nice but the finish on the stock not so much. (curable)
Best,
Erin
July 8, 2012
Offline
Very nice 61 Mike.
Al
January 7, 2014
Offline
Mike;
Congrats on a very nice 61. The 61 is my favorite model ( other than a Win 94 25-35 that I got for Xmas in 1949). I saw a very nice 61 last Saturday at the Billings MT gun show. I was tempted to buy it but I have one like it (maybe 5% or so better). It was priced at what I think was full retail. Probably should have picked it up and sold it to Gary White. RR
November 7, 2015
Offline
Thanks, guys. I’ve never paid much attention to the 61 but after a quick cleaning I’m pretty impressed by the little gun. I’m thinking I should put this one away and find another one for a shooter. Maybe I’ll stumble onto one with the tang-mounted peep sight.
July 17, 2012
Offline
Very nice – Congrats! Yes, I would put that one away and find one in lesser condition for an everyday shooter.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
January 26, 2011
Offline
Win61 said
Mike;Congrats on a very nice 61. The 61 is my favorite model ( other than a Win 94 25-35 that I got for Xmas in 1949). I saw a very nice 61 last Saturday at the Billings MT gun show. I was tempted to buy it but I have one like it (maybe 5% or so better). It was priced at what I think was full retail. Probably should have picked it up and sold it to Gary White. RR
Dick,
That sounds about right. I always appreciate when you over pay for a rifle and then jack it up a bit more and sell it to me. This gives me a perfect opportunity to keep it on my table for several shows and ultimately sell it for a loss. That what friends are for……….. right? Oh, and just know I will always keep you in mind when I have a good re-finished lever gun with a cut off barrel.
Your favorite gun show buddy, Gary
~Gary~
January 7, 2014
Offline
pdog72 said
Dick,
That sounds about right. I always appreciate when you over pay for a rifle and then jack it up a bit more and sell it to me. This gives me a perfect opportunity to keep it on my table for several shows and ultimately sell it for a loss. That what friends are for……….. right? Oh, and just know I will always keep you in mind when I have a good re-finished lever gun with a cut off barrel.
Your favorite gun show buddy, Gary
OH OH!!! maybe I had better take another look at that Mdl 64 carbine that cost me three guns. Hope you have a good show at Denver and make lots of money on my guns. RR
March 16, 2018
Offline
Thats the nicest 61 Ive ever seen! Talk about a time-capsule! I have a 62 in nearly the same condition from 1949. I shoot the heck out of it.
November 7, 2015
Offline
Cliff said
Thats the nicest 61 Ive ever seen! Talk about a time-capsule! I have a 62 in nearly the same condition from 1949. I shoot the heck out of it.
Thanks, Cliff. That’s pretty much what I thought so it came home with me. I shoudn’t be buying any guns right now but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!
Mike
1 Guest(s)
