Make: Winchester

Model: 61 Winchester Counter-Bore Smoothbore

Serial Number: 264116

Year of Manufacture: 1958

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle, For Shot Only

Action Type: Pump Action Tubular Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 24” Round

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base at the front of the barrel. The receiver is grooved for mounting an optic (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom 17-groove slide handle, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have a few small nicks and minor scuffs, but no major wear or damage. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks rate in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The Winchester Counter-Bore smooth bore is bright. 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 98% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered tiny marks. The action shows faint operational wear. The bolt, finished in the white, has some spots of minor oxidation, concealed when assembled. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent Condition.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a reproduction box and paperwork including manual, warranty card and hang-tag.

Our Assessment: Winchester was the first American company to offer a practical .22 pump-action rifle, the Model 1890. Designed by John 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 Pump Action Rifle was made in 1958 and is in Excellent Condition. Most notably, it’s a scarce Winchester Counter-Bore Smoothbore Model 61 chambered for .22 Long Rifle Shot Only. In 1938, trap shooter Fred Routledge developed a counter-bore barrel using a standard 24" Winchester Model 61. The "Routledge Bore" had 10 1/2" of smooth bore starting at the chamber with a diameter of .217", that opened up to 13 1/2" of counter-bore with a bore diameter measuring .375”. By 1940, Winchester developed its own counter-bore barrel design to avoid paying royalties to Mr. Routledge. The new Winchester Counter-Bore barrel had 16" of smooth bore measuring .217" and only 8" of counter-bore with a diameter of .265”. One of the distinguishing features of those counterbored Model 61s was a matted top frame, but in 1954, the design was changed to a grooved receiver and the matting was dropped. These were essentially small caliber shotguns, with a counter bored portion of the barrel to spread the shot, and they could be used for “Mo-Skeet-O” backyard miniature trap shooting, or for pesky birds. This rifle features a 24” barrel, 98% of its lustrous, original blued finish, elegant two-piece walnut stocks with a 17-grooved slide handle, a single bead at the muzzle, a scope grooved receiver, strong mechanics, and a bright Winchester Counter-Bore smooth bore with no erosion. This configuration was offered from 1954-1959, and is the last receiver variation of the Model 61 Smoothbore, found within the serial range of 215,000 to 280,000. This scarce Winchester Model 61 Smoothbore could be the jewel of any Winchester slide-action collection and will display well with its reproduction box and paperwork.