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Welcome! My friend Bill Ward says that “walnut and blued steel” are all you need. 😉
Most of us have the same affliction, see it, like it, buy it…..no worries, you are among friends here.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
Hi Rob,You have pretty much answered your own question, the price range is about $250-$500 for nice condition standard models. The 74 with the 88A rear peep sight or the gallery version (with shell deflector) bring more, up to about $900-$1000 in excellent condition.
The Model 74 was in no way an “orphan child” of Winchester, the concept of which can be traced back to Bennett Winchester patents at the beginning of the 20th century with improvements by Burton. The Model 74 enjoyed a long production span from 1939-1955 and was replaced by the Model 77 semi-auto. Over 400,000 Model 74s were produced (more than the popular Model 69) and many are still around and functional which is pretty remarkable for a semi-auto.
Also, it was certainly not the first Winchester .22 semi-auto used for military purposes as that distinction belongs to the Winchester Model 1903 .22 semi-auto which was used by the U.S. Army in World War 1.
There were 5 different catalogued variations of the Model 74 offered, here is a brief synopsis –
G7401R Model 74 & Model 74A
1939-1952 .22 Automatic Rifle, Tubular Magazine, .22 Short, 75D Front Sight, Open Sporting 32B/32E Rear Sight G7402R Model 74 & Model 74A
1939-1955 .22 Automatic Rifle, Tubular Magazine, .22 Long Rifle, 75D Front Sight, Open Sporting 32B/32E Rear Sight G7411R Model 74 1939-1941 .22 Automatic Rifle, Tubular Magazine, .22 Short, 75D Front Sight, Rear 88A Peep Sight G7412R Model 74 & Model 74A
1939-1951 .22 Automatic Rifle, Tubular Magazine, .22 Long Rifle, 75D Front Sight, Rear 88A Peep Sight G7421R Model 74 & Model 74A
1939-1952 .22 Automatic Rifle, Tubular Magazine, .22 Short Rifle, Gallery Special (with shell deflector), 75D Front Sight, Open Sporting 32B/32E Rear Sight There is not much published on the Model 74 but I am happy to try to answer any questions you may have.
Best Regards,
I have one that is 22 short with threaded barrel from the group sent to England for WWII. Is that another category or part of group 1
That is a pre-war G7401R and not a separate category. The barrel threading was done in the UK after they arrived.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Thanks for the clarification! I inherited the rifle from my WWII vet father-in-law without knowing how he got it. Does that after-market modification lower its value or raise it? It looks good for its age and shoots well.
The British rifles use by the Home Guard have a subset of collector’s (myself included) that add a bit of value to the 74, especially if the work was WWII period and performed by Parker-Hale. However, not every British proofed 74 was used by the Home Guard and not every threaded barrel was done during WWII. Many rifles were turned over to sporting clubs after the war and many were modified after the fact. In those cases, the value is diminished.
Pictures and the serial number would help determine exactly what you have.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Serial number 32726. I can’t figure out how to attach photos. 
Hi Michael,
As a WACA Guest you will have to host them on a third-party website and then provide a link to them here.
Or, you can email them to me directly and I can post them here for you.
My email address is Abendshien at AOL dot Com.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I see this one just sold for a bit over $300. I’m sure the scope mount tap holes don’t help the collector value, but it looks like a fun rifle to own. The price seemed favorable to me.
Anthony said
Steve,I think you need to pick one up!
Anthony
Oh, I have the temptation going 
I still don’t see a separate catalogue number for the last made rifles with the grooved receiver? Is there one? I only ask as I have a real nice one.
I find the M74’s balance better than the M63 auto’s. I have both and prefer the M74. Big Larry
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