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I have always been drawn to Winchesters that have something special or different about them. Whether it has a special sight or barrel length or butt plate or caliber it doesn’t matter. Of course I have acquired a few that just ain’t right! It has been a learning experience and sometimes an embarrassment to myself. (I hate that part) A couple seem to have proved correct, so far, and are among my treasures and unexplained by those in the know. It seems that neither gun should have gotten out of the factory. This is one of them. A Model 61 with an aluminum frame and trigger guard. You be the judge and your thoughts are welcomed. Thanks for your consideration and opinions.
Roger B
My second chocolate is a Model 69A or perhaps a 697A that was never put into production. This jewel was found in Oregon at gun shop and purchased by a well known 22 collector. He traded it to a collector on the east coast, who traded it to another east coast collector who had “Jack the Dog” (back in Oregon) put it on Auction Arms. That’s where I spotted it and managed to win the auction. No provision for sights, but has the cherished grooved receiver. I haven’t had courage to scope it and shoot it, it shows no signs of ever being scoped or fired. You just never know what your gonna find!
Roger B
Online
And for those of you who are curious, I introduced Jeff to Roger at the Reno show last year, and Jeff carefully inspected this rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
And for those of you who are curious, I introduced Jeff to Roger at the Reno show last year, and Jeff carefully inspected this rifle.Bert
Yep, and as far as I can tell from a visual inspection it is legit. Only one I have ever seen.
Thanks again Roger for hauling it to the show so we could view it!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
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Awesome specimens. Further proof that Winchester would do most anything, within reason. Mind-boggling concept in today’s manufacturing environment. Never say never, indeed. I think it’s these one of a kind (or one of very few) specimens that help make Winchester collecting interesting. Thanks for posting the pics, Roger.
JWA said
Yep, and as far as I can tell from a visual inspection it is legit. Only one I have ever seen.
Thanks again Roger for hauling it to the show so we could view it!
Best Regards,
The M61 is mind boggling. Jeff, could the M69-A be another attempt by Winchester of a cleanup of parts? The M696 bbls. were not marked as such. Rare guns indeed. Big Larry
TXGunNut said
Further proof that Winchester would do most anything, within reason…
Actually, I think any commercial sporting rifle with an aluminum receiver (except a “survival weapon”) is not reasonable–i.e., does not make good business sense. Would YOU have purchased one then?
clarence said
TXGunNut said
Further proof that Winchester would do most anything, within reason…Actually, I think any commercial sporting rifle with an aluminum receiver (except a “survival weapon”) is not reasonable–i.e., does not make good business sense. Would YOU have purchased one then?
Absolutely Yes I would have purchased one of them! Are you are of the fact that Winchester manufactured and sold 82,085 Model 59 Semi-Auto shotguns, all made with an aluminum alloy receiver? Production of the Model 59 began in 1959, which makes it very plausible that Winchester experimented with aluminum receivers for the Model 61 .22 caliber rifles still in production.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Absolutely Yes I would have purchased one of them! Are you are of the fact that Winchester manufactured and sold 82,085 Model 59 Semi-Auto shotguns, all made with an aluminum alloy receiver?
Bert
You couldn’t have given me (who grew up shooting my father’s old Sweet Sixteen) one of them either! But the relative success of the 59 does make more plausible the creation of this prototype. Still, it boggles my mind to think anyone contemplating purchase of a new Model 61 would choose aluminum over steel. Why? To admire those beautiful scratches aluminum soon acquires?
For a very specific purpose–weight reduction, when and only when it was critical–I’d accept aluminum in a gun, and for that limited purpose I picked up long ago a Chief’s Special Airweight, which fits more comfortably into a pants pocket than any handgun I’ve ever carried.
November 7, 2015
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Used a Winchester 1300 with an aluminum receiver for a duty shotgun for lots of years, still keep a few around for social equipment. My carry guns have had aluminum frames for many years and my first .22 (a RP Speedmaster) has an aluminum frame as well. I’d rather have steel but I can’t complain about the service I’ve gotten from these aluminum guns.
cranky2 said
Wow Thanks for sharing.
Roger Baker said
Roger B
Sent you a PM several days ago.
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