Winchester 69A age

[burrhead]

I picked up an excellent, plain Jane 69A yesterday and I'm trying to figure out if it's pre-war or not. It has a straight bolt handle, the caliber roll mark on the barrel is " .22 S L or LR" instead of written out, the rear sight is a simple notch with sliding elevator, no groves on the receiver. I know it's pre 1954 but I'm not sure about the time line of the simplified caliber roll mark and straight bolt handle.

Any Win 69A gurus around? Pre or post war? Thanks for you help.

Here's a crappy pic.

 

[doubleh]

Go to Wikipedia for info.

 

[burrhead]

Wiki doesn't know but thanks for the thought. According to Wik the straight bolt handle was over after the war but that's not necessarily so. The roll marks play a role also but but I'm not sure how. Thanks though.

It's not really all that important anyway but I'm curious.

 

[az_imuth]

The barrel markings would indicate post-war, starting around late '46. The fore-end of the stock could help narrow it down a bit, also. I would expect it to be slanted to the back, as the one in the photo below. The straight bolt was used up until '48. Here is a peep-sighted model of mine showing some of the same characteristics that I believe was manufactured sometime in 1946.

 

[burrhead]

Thank you, az, the forearm on mine matches yours. I'll assume '46 to '48. Appreciate it.