Best Regards,

Again thank you for the information. 

Frank 

fdmcmu said
I read that the Target and Match models did not have the dovetail rear sight. Would that be a true statement? 
Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it. Have learned lot already. 
Frank
  

Not quite true, the G6901R (standard rifle with peep), G6903R (Junior Target Shooter's Special with the Lyman 57EW), G6940R (Target with the 80B peep) and the G6941R (Match rifle with the Lyman 57E) all did not have a rear sight on the barrel.  Side by side, the G6901R and the G6940R Target rifle look almost identical.  The difference between the Target and the Standard rifle with peep sight is the true Target was chambered for .22 LR only (post-war) and came with factory sling swivels.  

If your barrel is marked .22 Long Rifle (only) and your stock has factory sling swivels then it is a true 69A Target, otherwise it is the standard G6901R rifle with the 80A peep sight.

There is a LOT of mis-information about the 69 Target on the internet because no one bothers to read the book. 😉 Everyone assumes if it has a peep sight it is automatically a "Target" and that is simply not the case.

Best Regards,

Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it. Have learned lot already. 

Frank

Your rifle is either a G6901R with the 80A peep sight or the G6940R (Target) with the 80B peep sight.  The primary difference is that the true Target version was chambered and marked for .22 Long Rifle only and the standard rifle with the similar peep was chambered for .22 S, L & LR.  What does your barrel marking say?

The "MX" prefix serial numbers were not applied by Winchester, they are found not only on Winchester rifles but other models as well.  The underlying theme behind them is that most of the rifles found with the MX numbers have been out of the country and reimported.  This is the second MX number I have seen on a 69A.  It was likely added to comply with some specific regulation or company policy.  Abercrombie and Fitch were known to mark their unserialized rifles with a number as well.

Your rifle looks nice, The sight inletting looks normal to me for the 80A sight.  The rifle has been completely reblued and the original rear sight elevator has been replaced but they are great shooting rifles.

Let us know if you have any additional questions.

Best Regards,

I'm in agreement with you on it. Only on the barrel on the left side under the rear sight, have we seen a serial number added for over exportation to Europe as you said. Never on the receiver.

I did notice the stock receiver sight in letting to look a little short to me. I could be wrong, and Jeff can tell us, but in most cases I think the in letting is usually to the middle of the magazine button release.

I'm in agreement with you on Jeff's opinion.

Tony  

Bert

fdmcmu said
Ser# is on the receiver and the stock is notched out for the sights, will try and get a photo.
Have identified rifle as a 69a Target Model. Just don't know why it has a serial number.?
  

Chances are very good that it is not a factory applied number.  It was most likely added by a past owner or seller of the rifle.

Bert

Have identified rifle as a 69a Target Model. Just don't know why it has a serial number.?

Bert

Congrats on your aquisition!

I was working out of the country for awhile so I had the book website turned off but it is now back on and the books are available.

https://rimfirepublications.com/

The barrel band does not really "tune" the barrel, it's primary purpose is to retain the barrel in the forend as there is only one other screw that holds the barreled action in the stock.  It is adjustable as the crossscrew is tapered and tightening the screw (clockwise) pulls the band downward.  Be careful though, if the screw is tightened too much it will simply distort/enlarge the hole in the band and not hold the barrel as securely.

Since the function of the band is structural, I would leave it in place.  The crossscrew should only be tightened until slightly snug and the barrel is fully seated in the stock.  You can try to experiment with different tensions on the cross screw and, in some cases, it does make a difference but any accuracy gained is usually an accident and not a scientific adjustment.

Hope that helps, let us know if you have any other questions.

Best Regards,

GunPa said

Do you or someone else have any info on that barrel band that seems to want to double as a tuning device?  I think I'm so focused on free floating the barrel, but I don't understand that device.  I just want to take it off and put it in the case for another day.  Any reason why I should leave it on?

I have never messed with the barrel band on my 75 Target.  Not even sure you can?  But I did a lot of testing with the one on my Model 70. It will make a difference.  If you can loosen the band do some testing with it tight then back off the tension and see what happens.