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Saw a model 67 with W 557 stamped on the pistol grip. What does this stand for?
The W557 on the pistol grip means the rifle was sold by Abercrombie & Fitch from the New York store. Since the Model 67 was not serial numbered A&F used a unique number applied to the pistol grip for a reference in the sales ledgers.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
January 26, 2011
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Jeff
That’s very interesting. Do you either of you have a photo of such a marking?
~Gary~
pdog72 said
JeffThat’s very interesting. Do you either of you have a photo of such a marking?
Yes, lots and lots of them.
I have a chapter in the upcoming Model 69 book devoted to the A&F sales ledgers.
Here are some examples of the A&F numbers which correspond to entries in the ledgers. A&F eventually discontinued the “W” preface with the later higher numbers (see last photo).
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
January 26, 2011
Offline
I wasn’t aware of this practice, thanks for the explanation and photos.
~Gary~
Elkoholic said
Are the AF marked Winchesters have any more collectible value?
Not right now because most collectors do not know what the numbers mean. As part of the research for the Model 69 book the link between the numbers and the sales ledgers was discovered. Eventually they may be worth a little more since detailed sales information is available and also depending upon who originally purchased the rifle from A&F.
If you decide not to purchase the Model 67 I would be interested in it.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
pdog72 said
I wasn’t aware of this practice, thanks for the explanation and photos.
Glad to help.
After the book is published I will do a write-up synopsis here with some additional photos and examples. It is a fascinating bit of gun trivia and I got lost in those ledgers for weeks and weeks doing research. There are over 10,000 pages in 28 ledgers with LOTS of cool history in them, I kept getting sidetracked from the Model 69 mission.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Hey JWA, I will be 75 next month. I don’t want to croak before the book comes out. Did you get my email? I need your address to send the M80-A and parts to you. Thanks, Big Larry
Big Larry said
Hey JWA, I will be 75 next month. I don’t want to croak before the book comes out. Did you get my email? I need your address to send the M80-A and parts to you. Thanks, Big Larry
Well, I was going to write a bit more on the book today but instead I was in the shop making Winchester bastard-sized screws for some 75 year old Marine who shall remain nameless…….
I sent you an email with my address – Thanks!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
…detailed sales information is available
Amazing that such records have survived the disintegration of this once great firm! Do records of other guns sold through the store exist?
clarence said
JWA said
…detailed sales information is availableAmazing that such records have survived the disintegration of this once great firm! Do records of other guns sold through the store exist?
Yes, That is one of the things that was getting me sidetracked. Records exist for all of the guns sold through the New York store and some of the Chicago sales as well as a few records from other locations. Most of the items stocked by A&F in the good old days were the high end guns from the various manufacturers. It is all fascinating info to me.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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