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Gentlemen, I am very new to this, so please pardon my errors in process.
I am trying to replace the original front sight, hooded, for a Winchester 68. I don’t want a reproduction. The ones I have seen usually have the patent number on the side of the lower ramp part, four parts in all. However, there are also some that claim to be original that don’t have this patent number, or any writing on them. Did they make them with and without the lettering? Is that a way to tell the age of the originals? thanks
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Hi Elliot,
The Winchester Model 68 used the 4 piece Winchester 97A and later 97B front ramp sight as you have mentioned. The sheet-metal ramp was stamped on the left side “U S A Patent Pending” from initial production until circa 1936. In 1936 the marking was changed to “U.S.A. Pat. 1989863” although the earlier patent pending sight ramps were used intermittently until the existing supply was exhausted (well into 1938). The patent number was omitted and the ramp was unmarked when production resumed after WWII. But again, there have been a few post war rifles noted with patent number marked ramps indicating a few leftover components were used.
So, you will need to determine the vintage of your 68 to establish the properly marked sight ramp for it’s era. If you post pictures of the stock and safety tab markings and barrel markings I can give you a DoM estimate that will indicate which ramp you need to be correct.
You will also note that your 96A rear sight also has either patent pending or a patent number on the arm. While the rear sight marking changes did not exactly correspond with the front ramp since they were different patents they are roughly in the same era. Generally a patent pending rear sight will usually be matched with a patent pending front sight (but not always).
Hope that helps.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA, Wow, great info! I am a rookie at this and have become a collector of 67/68/69. I am an Olympian, Calgary, Biathlon. I was a small bore champion as a kid, Boy Scouts, etc. My Dad gave me a 67 for my first rifle and taught me to shot. He was a highly decorated P-47 pilot, WWII, and a wonderful man. He died last year at 91, with full Honor Guard and Fly Over.
Unfortunately, some time when I was in college, my 67 went missing, very sad. However, I have replaced it and am gathering several for my grandkids once they are old enough. I am particularly interested in the Lend Lease ones, and those with Winchester original scopes.
I will take some pictures of what I have and post them, really appreciate your input on age and authenticity. As you know, there are so many rifles out there that have been ‘altered’ by replacements that are non conforming to the originals. Is there a book available that has such info, or did you gain your knowledge through years of experience? thanks again, Elliot
Hi Elliot,
Kudos to your Dad, the WWII guys were true heroes in my opinion.
There are books available with good information, one of the better ones for the 67 and 68 is To the Dreams of Youth – Winchester .22 Caliber Single Shot Rifle by Herbert Houze. Out of print but readily available on Amazon, eBay, etc. There is currently not a book dedicated to the Winchester Model 69/69A but I am in the process of finishing one which will hopefully go to print this year depending upon my regular work schedule. That is where the 97A and 96A sight info I posted came from.
There are other books by West and Madis which dedicate a few pages or a short chapter to the 67/68 but some of the information has been supersceded by the more accurate information which Houze researched and published.
If you are interested in the Winchester dual sight models which were purchased directly by Great Britain (they were not part of the Lend Lease program by the way) there was an informative article published by Vincent Rausch in Man at Arms (2010) which covered them nicely. A few errors in the article but overall a good effort on his part. If you have not seen it just PM me your email address and I will send you a copy.
Looking forward to your pictures! Clear, close-ups of the details are important to aid in an evaluation.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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