Myself, and I’m sure some of you, have been asked if what you have is a Gallery Gun if you have a slide action .22 with an external hammer.   In most cases, that’s just what it is – a slide action .22 with an external hammer – as in a Winchester model 1890, 1906 or 62. 

I respectfully point out that a genuine Gallery Gun usually has a couple unique features not found on the normally found standard slide action .22. 

It will be chambered for .22 Short only, usually has a special shaped loading port in the magazine tube to accommodate the pre-loaded ammo tubes and will often have some sort of an attachment for a counter tie down feature. 

Pictures are always helpful so pictured below is my Winchester model 62A Gallery Gun with those typical shooting gallery gun features.  It includes the tie down strap that was attached to the barrel and magazine tube.  This one happens to be “WINCHESTER” roll marked on the left side of the receiver which is a plus for the collector. 

The gun: Winchester model 62A, serial number 369774

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/jollybill2006/Win%2062A%20Gallery/IMG_1846_zpsmbb7q6qt.jpg

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Caliber marking on the left side of the barrel

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Specialized loading port in the magazine tube

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Blue wear from the tie down strap

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Tie down strap

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/jollybill2006/Win%2062A%20Gallery/IMG_1874_1-1.jpg

Ammo and loading tubes.  The tubes hold 15 rounds of Winchester SUPER SPATTERPRUF .22 Short ammo.  The bullets are not lead but seem to be some sort of dense clay material effective only at close range.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/jollybill2006/Win%2062A%20Gallery/IMG_0070_zpsesh09som.jpg

I’ve also included a picture of myself taken at the Coney Island shooting gallery in May or June of 1956.  In this case, a picture of the shooter is taken automatically if the shooter hits the bullseye. Please note that I do not shoot left handed.  I suspect either the negative got reversed before the picture was printed or possibly the picture is taken thru a mirror to prevent someone from actually hitting the camera.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/jollybill2006/Win%2062A%20Gallery/ConeyIslandShootingGallery_zpse6aa7fbd.jpg

The astute sailor next to me is my buddy and ship mate Mike Pore from Kalamazoo Michigan.  Anybody from around Ka-zoo know Mike? 

I was in the US Navy back then with my ship home ported at the Brooklyn Army Base and it was just a short subway ride to Coney Island.  The ship was a troop and dependent carrier operating for MSTS (Military Sea Transport Service) and all we did was ferry troops and dependents between NYC and Bremerhaven Germany with an occasional stop in Southampton England.  If you were in the Army or Air Force back then and got shipped to Europe, you may have had the pleasure of our fine services.  If you were lucky enough to fly, then MATS (Military Air Transport Service) took care of you. 

Hope you enjoy the pictures which speak for themselves. 

And there has to be some of us still around that remember shooting galleries at fairs, carnivals and such that used genuine .22 caliber rifles shooting live ammo.  Sure not the case any more. 

Jolly