Make: Winchester 

Model: 61

Serial Number: 199723

Year of Manufacture: 1955

Caliber: .22 Short, Long, & Long Rifle

Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Rifle 

Barrel Length: 24” Round 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom grooved slide handle, smooth pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have light handling wear with some scattered compressions and draglines, mostly in the buttstock. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear, mostly around the edges, a few spots of minor surface oxidation, and sharp checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine Plus 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 95% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear with some minor nicks and scratches on the receiver, operational wear on the mag tube, and light thinning on the leading edges.There are a few faint marks on the barrel that are barely noticeable. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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.

This Winchester Model 61 was made in 1955 and is in Fine condition. It features 95% of its original blued finish, a 24” barrel, strong mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling.