Make: Winchester

Model: 61

Serial Number: 23919

Year of Manufacture: 1937

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Rifle 

Barrel Length: 24” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat top U-notch leaf with an elevator piece and is dovetailed to the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom grooved slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered metal buttplate. The wood shows light nicks, scratches, and a few minor handling and storage marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows some thinning and some light oxidation in the checkering. The stocks are in Very Good to Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is brightand the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear with scattered freckled surface oxidation on the receiver and barrel. There is light finish loss on the leading edges throughout and on the crown. There are some scattered little nicks and scratches.The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Winchester was the first American company to offer a practical .22 pump-action rifle, the Model 1890. Designed by gunmaking genius John Moses Browning, the Model 1890 was patterned after Winchester's iconic lever-actions with a tubular magazine under the barrel, an exposed hammer, and top ejection. It was an instant success and set the standard for all .22 repeaters that followed. In 1909, Remington introduced a pump-action .22 that used an internal hammer, allowing the receiver to be streamlined and well sealed against moisture and debris. In 1915, Marlin introduced a similar hammerless .22 rifle. The innovative designs made Winchester's pump guns look a bit "old fashioned", and in an attempt to attract new customers during the depths of the Great Depression, Winchester decided to introduce their own "modern" hammerless .22 pump-action. The resulting Model 61 hammerless rifle was released in 1932, and produced until 1963. Those in .22 Long Rifle with an octagonal barrel were only offered from 1932-1946, and fine surviving examples remain scarce today.

This Winchester Model 61 was made in 1937 and is in Very Good to Fine condition. It’s chambered in .22 Long Rifle, and features 90% of its original blued finish, a 24” octagonal barrel, and a bright bore with sharp rifling.