Take a look at the scope blocks. The one pictured next to the receiver looks to have the Fecker Notch on it. Fecker started making scopes about 1921 or 1922 as I recall, but I’m not so sure that he was making his own bases that early. I have a factory scoped Winchester Sniper Rifle that was assembled in 1924 and the bases do not sport the Fecker Notch, although Winchester did use Fecker bases on later scoped rifles. My model 52 was made in the 1920s as well and it does not have the subject notch.

Big Larry,

You make some interesting notes. 1925 would be just about right on when Fecker began making his bases. For example my 1924 sniper used the Winchester bases with the cones, and the sniper that Julia auctioned off in 2010, a factory documented gun with a DOM of 1926, had the Fecker bases with the notch on both sides. These were state of the art custom made guns and would have been fitted with bases for like scopes, and Fecker was the scope of that day and time. However, Winchester was still in the scope business until the end of 1928, which is when they began moving it to Lyman. After 1928 is when I would expect to see Winchester using scope blocks made by Fecker, or another company. For example, I have a Winchester Model 57 target gun that is factory equipped with the combination blocks. The barrel date is 28, and the receiver would have a DOM of 1930, I believe it is. As you would know the model 57 was a slow-seller. That said there is no telling how long after 1930 the gun was shipped, so your idea of 1933 being a start date for when Winchester began using them seems very close to being correct.

I don’t know much about the 1892, but if it is correct like you say, I’d say the price associated with it is reasonable.

James

podufa said
JWM94
Could you post a photo of an offset adapter marked Winchester.All I have ever seen only had the patent date "PAT.MAY 24,1910"
Thanks

Hello podufa,

I wish I could oblige you, but it looks like I’m a prime candidate for the old childhood phrase "Liar, liar, pants on fire!" (Altogether now, 1, 2, 3!) 😯 I was not even close to being right about about the mounts being marked Winchester, but one set does have the patent date that you mentioned! The downside is that this is not a good sign for my memory and credibility…not to say I was well known for either one beforehand. 🙂 The upside though is that once I found the box they were stashed in, I found my wedding band that the wife and I thought had been lost for good years ago. That and the fact that I might try to sell the mounts before long might help my own cause!!!! 🙂

Here’s a pic of them, and BTW, thanks for making the request that you did, as it goes a long way toward what we all like to do best, and that is help one another.

[Image Can Not Be Found]

You’re welcome. I don’t have any reference that either of those companies made them, do you?

I’m familiar with the picture that you mention, however, I can’t say what year it was taken, even though the ad is dated 1938.

Given that Winchester did sell its scope business to Lyman and move it to them in late 1928 and early 1929, you might well be right in your thinking.

Off the subject a bit. I saw two octagon barrel Winchesters complete with old scopes and offset mounts for sell on GB about twelve years or so back. They were in great condition and sold, here we go with my memory again :), in the neighborhood of about $3000. I sure wish I would have bought them, I really do. Today most of the old guns with period scopes, mounts, and even bases have been robbed and sold separately. It’s a shame. It really is.

In the "Gun Digest Book of Scopes and Mounts" by Bob Bell. About 1930 Lyman introduced offset adapters for the 5A and 438 scopes.
I have an 1892 with B3 scope and offset adapters,also has set triggers.