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Win Model 61 authentication question

jodividus
I have come across a very nice winchester model 61. the barrel shows 22 s.l.lr. The serial numbers match, putting it about June of 1940. But on top of the receiver, it is not round, as the one I shoot, nor is it grooved. It is stippled, like in the Model 61 Winchester book. There is a PW inside a circle on the left side of the stippling, and only a P inside a circle where the barrel meets the receiver on top. The book says only shot rifles were stippled. Can anyone tell me why mine is, as the barrel looks original nad the markings are consistent with the 1940 date. Did they also do stippling on regular 22 rifles? There is also a 8 where the tube goes into the receiver, and I don't know what that means. The magazine tube also is cone shaped, not like the one I shoot. The right side of the trigger guard has the letter C. Any help is appreciated. It is a very nice gun and I am hoping its all original. thanks,dave
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Hello Dave...

    Nope, it is not all original. That rifle does not have its original barrel on it. The "P" in an oval indicates that it is a replacement factory barrel fitted to the gun outside of the factory.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • jodividus
    thanks, and how will that affect the value and collectability?
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  • only winchesters
    Dave: I concurr with Bert that the factory "reworked" your gun. The "C" by the trigger buard is the original inspectors stamp from when the gun was assembled. The "8" was most likely put there during the "Rework". Regards Dave
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by only winchesters
    Dave: I concurr with Bert that the factory "reworked" your gun. The "C" by the trigger buard is the original inspectors stamp from when the gun was assembled. The "8" was most likely put there during the "Rework". Regards Dave


    Dave... that is not actually a factory reworked rifle... if it was a factory rework, the barrel would have a "WP" in oval. The single "P" in oval was for those barrels made by Winchester for outside fitting (i.e. replacement barrels).

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by jodividus
    thanks, and how will that affect the value and collectability?


    Dave (this is confusing talking to two people with the same first name)... The value is cut by at least 50%, and a diehard Winchester collector would just walk right on by it.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • only winchesters
    Thank-you Bert. I read that questions, several times and the eyes never got past the circle PW, and the hands kept typing what I wasn't thinking!! LOL Must have been just to late in the day, because I know that! Regards everyone Dave
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  • asa
    On the other hand, if you're looking for a great gun to shoot, it functions correctly, and you can get it cheap enough, why not consider the rifle? You know it's not original, so that takes it out of the 5-6 hundred $ range. Try to get it for half that if you're looking for a shooter. I have four 61s, two of which are 99% beauties which don't get shot. Of the other two, one has about 85% blue, perfect bore, mechanically excellent, but had a large gouge out of the stock. Got it for 125.00, picked up a replacement stock (Boyd's) for about 55., put a small Leupold on the grooved reciever, and shoot it all the time. The other is a 98% gun except the barrel is 22 in. Also grooved and scoped, it shoots high-vel shorts the best. Love the pristine ones, but have lots of fun with the two "beaters" which are superior to anything being made now. Good luck!
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