Hello All,
I have been at this work for 2 years now and currently have just over 2600 rifles entered into the effort. This work is meant to be an addition and refinement to that done years ago by Ned Schwing and certainly not an attempt to reinvent the wheel on these fine rifles. If anyone has a rifle they would like to add into the effort please contact me via either PM or email. [email protected]
1. To start I need the full serial number of your rifle. Please no partials with xxx’s. That way I can differentiate each rifle and not wonder if it was a rifle I might already have entered that was for sale at some other time where I may have already captured it.
2. Is the rifle barrel round or octagon shaped?
3. What is the chamber designation of the rifle? Please don’t tell me it is .22 LR if the barrel is stamped .22 S.L .& LR. What exactly is stamped on the barrel?
4. Is the upper tang drilled & tapped with two small screws for mounting a folding peep sight there?
5. Is there a “W” stamped about 1 to 2 inches below the serial number on the bottom of the receiver?
6. On the Magnum chambered rifles is there an “A” beneath the serial number?
7. Is the butt plate checkered steel of black plastic?
8. For serial number greater than 211000 is the receiver top grooved?
9. If your rifle’s serial number is in the 35000 to 45000 range is the muzzle face cut perfectly flat or is it crowned?
10. For the serial number range less than 40000 is the end of the magazine collared or not?
Thanks to all for your help and input. This sort of effort is only successful via the support and help of others.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Artie said
Have a Winchester model 61 S/n 63133 with a Lyman #1 Tang fold down sight. No letters below serial number. Plastic butt plate with the letters Fajen.
Round barrel stamped 22 S.L. or L.R.- hope this info helps. I need a front mounting screw for the sight and a [ apiture]
Hello Artie,
Thanks for the data on your rifle. It was manufactured during 1942 and it should most definitely have a checkered steel butt plate. You might look on eBay for the parts you need.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Anybody out in California that is near this shop and can drop in and get the serial number for me so I can add the rifle into my survey? I appreciate it. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=466740971
75 Wildwood Avenue, Rio Dell, CA 95562
(707) 764-5744
Thanks
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Buck Buchanan said
1) Serial number 45164
2) Round barrel
3) .22 Long R. – Shot ( Has Routledge Bore )
4) Tang drilled & tapped with two small screws
5) No “W” below serial number
6) Butt plate checkered steel
7) Matted reciever top
Thanks so much Buck. Your rifle was manufactured during 1939
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Michael, are you at a point in your research where you can say with some certainty whether or not it was possible to special order a grooved receiver on a 61 built in 1956?
For your research purposes: The serial # is 235924, is S,L,LR, round barrel, no ‘W’ below SN, no upper tang screws, checkered steel butt plate, grooved receiver.
WACA Member #304
Captain Kummok said
Michael, are you at a point in your research where you can say with some certainty whether or not it was possible to special order a grooved receiver on a 61 built in 1956?
For your research purposes: The serial # is 235924, is S,L,LR, round barrel, no ‘W’ below SN, no upper tang screws, checkered steel butt plate, grooved receiver.
Hello CK,
I am in Belize fishing right now but will be glad to help. Schwing notes in books that the grooved top receiver does start at approximately 225000. Based on my work it actually appears approximately 10,000 rifles earlier at the 215000 range. Please reference this post on RFC for the breakdown to date.
Model 61 Interim Results
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534703
I hope this helps
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
pdog72 said
Great information Michael, and a good example of the benefits of the research surveys. I always had it in my memory that ’54 was the year and yes, the 225k number was from Schwings book. Thanks for all your hard work.
Thanks for the kind words Gary. The work is actually fun to do and I am glad that it is helpful to others. If I can get another 800 rifles or so I will have more “results” to make accessible.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
3-Winchester 61s
#1 –
s/n 13853
Octagon barrel
.22 Long R. (Only)
No grooved receiver
Metal butt plate
No W near s/n
Small forend
Two screws top tang
#2 –
s/n 265527
Round barrel
.22 s/l/lr
Yes Grooved receiver
No W near s/n
Metal butt plate
Long forend
No screws top tang
#3 –
s/n 10267
Octagon barrel
.22 Long R. (Only)
No grooved receiver
No W near s/n
Missing butt plate
Long forend
Two screws top tang
….
Let me know if I missed anything. V/r AMMO86
rarebearcat said
Saw a 61 at the show today:
1. #177934
2. Round barrel
3. 22 S, L,LR
4. Tang not drilled
5. No W
6. Plastic butt
8. Not grooved
Thanks so much for the data on the rifle. It is about 90,000 rifles too early to have a plastic butt plate on it.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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