Circle P proof mark|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

antler1 said
What would the circle P proof mark on a receiver indicate?

  

Beats me, can’t imagine it would mean the same thing as the same mark on a barrel. I’ve heard they occasionally shipped receivers but not sure how they would proof it. 

Mike

This particular 52 has the mail order proof on the receiver. The barrel is an Eric Johnson who had a very close relationship with Winchester and was once an employee before going out on his own. I’m sure they figured he was capable of correctly installing the receiver onto the barrel.

Steve

seewin said
Gary, it is my understanding that Winchester was very selective about sending out mail order barrels and receivers. They had to be relatively certain of proper installation. This is heresay, and I have no documentation to back it up. It does make sense though. 

Steve

  

Selective with regard to rcvrs makes very good sense (in fact I’m surprised they released them at all), but I’d have thought they’d rather sell a brl to a gunsmith than have him use a non-factory brl.  And WRA brls usually index properly without machine work (which can’t be said for other makes).  I’ve seen quite a few 52 brls fitted to Ballard & Stevens single-shots; probably the most economical match-quality brl a custom gunsmith could obtain.

Hello all,

In my research of the Model 1892 ledgers I have come across a few dozen entries of just “receivers” being shipped for a particular serial number. 48 exactly, all pre proof mark use.  I still have more work to do in the proof mark time frame. Some are caliber specific and only one designated as a Carb receiver.

In searching through my survey of rifles I have located 2 other rifles with “Oval P” proof stamps on the receivers.   Both of these are mated to an Oval P proofed barrel also.  

Michael

twobit said
Winchester may have called it a circle but they designed it as an oval.  

Michael

 

Even a more extreme oval than that surrounding the WP proof.  The author of Steve’s memo apparently failed (or skipped) his HS geometry.

seewin said
Here is a paragraph from a Winchester document dated June 6, 1941. I would think if your 92 was manufactured after May 31, 1913, this should answer your question.

Steve

  

I don’t doubt the validity, but for my own research and future need to cite said Winchester document. Can you tell me more about said document?

Sincerely,

Maverick

I think maybe some folks are confusing the actual circle P found on most military firearms. It is a true circle P, while Winchester uses an oval P. A lot of early Winchester 22’s had oval P’s as many had the rifling shot out or were badly corroded. As a Winchester 22 collector, I see these all the time. Rebbld. 22’s are quite common. Some were even sent back to the factory, at owners expense, and had new bbls fitted. These bbls had the Winchester proof mark, and no oval P. As a collector, I stay away from rebbld. guns.   Big Larry