Winchester Model 61

[VegasAR15]

I just picked this up this weekend for a song. Winchester Model 61, made in 1937 if I remember correctly. Its been used, but not abused. Some bluing fading on the bottom of the receiver, probably from someone carrying it there and some fading on the slide. Wood is decent aside from a couple nicks. It is pictured with a Ruger Single Six 3 screw that I picked up at the same time.

 

[adelbridge]

nice guns. Run the Winchester serial number thru http://www.proofhouse.com

 

[VegasAR15]

Thanks for the link, I will have to double check it with my serial number when I get home.

 

[RainDodger]

Very nice condition! I've got an octagonal barrel 61 made in 1933 that's very nice, but yours looks like it has very little wear to the bluing. If it's not refinished (and I doubt that it is), it looks really nice. Good find!

It's worth a little bit of $$, too.

 

[VegasAR15]

Very nice condition! I've got an octagonal barrel 61 made in 1933 that's very nice, but yours looks like it has very little wear to the bluing. If it's not refinished (and I doubt that it is), it looks really nice. Good find!

It's worth a little bit of $$, too.

I was surprised to see the auctions with bids on these currently, pretty pricey. The sad thing is just before I got the guy he sold another .22 rifle with an octagon barrel, no idea what it was but I am sure it was worth a lot more than the guy paid.

 

[RainDodger]

Well, I know that my particular Model 61 is worth nearly $4,000 according to most authorities. I won't argue with that. It was my grandfather's rifle and I learned to shoot on it in the early 1960s.... thus it will never be sold by me.

Any nice one is going to be worth over a grand, I'd guess. I can't remember, but it seems strange that yours is as old as it is, yet it has the longer forend/slide. Mine is somewhat shorter - I thought the break point for that was around the war years. Easy to look that stuff up though - I just don't remember offhand.

You've got a keeper there, and the great thing is, you can shoot it, and you should! These rifles shoot really well. Enjoy!

Here's my 1933, and yours looks every bit as nice.

 

[Savage99]

Nice rifle that M61.

My Winchester M61 with a grooved receiver was my primary hunting .22 for a long time.

They are not easy to unload that tube.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I just shot my 'new to me' M61. I put shorts in it and told my son that if it was going to blow up Id rather it be me. Pulled the trigger and wasn't sure anything came out of it. Took off my EP and pulled the trigger again and was very excited. My son put 100 holes in paper that day. I love it too, ESP since I had two rifles to sight in and wanted my 11yo busy.

Nice rifle!
Greg

 

[2bitrifles]

Hello Model 61 lovers,

I have more than 30 of these fine rifles and I am conducting a research survey of this model. To date I have cataloged just over 1600 rifles in the effort. I am trying to document the percentage of different barrel and chambering combinations in addition to the SN rang when the upper tang quit being D&T for a folding peep and when the receiver top was grooved for a scope mount. Could I please get the full SN of your rifle and the chamber marking from the left side of the barrel? In addition note whether the receiver is grooved or smooth and if the upper tang has two small screws in it. You can read some about the work at this forum post:
Model 61 Survey
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485813

I truly appreciate any help you are able to give and will answer any questions you have.

Thanks
Michael

 

[Edarnold]

My model 61 was bought around 1958, it was my favorite for plinking out at the Fox Valley range near Elgin. Too many bricks of ammo and not enough cleaning resulted in a headspace problem: the very narrow rim seat on the barrel breech peened forward enough to start giving misfires. While the gunsmith was setting the barrel back a smudge to correct the headspace, I had him groove the receiver for a Tip-off mount and cut the barrel to 20", mounting a gold-bead ramp front sight. So if anyone has been puzzling over a Winchester 61 carbine that shouldn't have a grooved receiver, it's my fault. Sure wish I hadn't let it go.

 

[2bitrifles]

Edarnold,

Winchester began making the grooved top Model 61 during the latter part of 1954. Did you purchase the rifle used in 1958? I have cataloged a few earlier rifles that have "gun smith grooves" on them. Any chance you remember the SN of the rifle?

Michael

 

[Edarnold]

Sorry, with the gun went any info on the serial number. At this distance in time the year I acquired the gun is also hazy, certainly when I got it was after 1954, but it may well have been purchased used. I know it had the Post-war long fore-end, beyond that I'm afraid I really can't remember anything beside the corncobs in the plinking pond skipping along!

 

[2bitrifles]

Edarnold,

I understand. Thanks just the same.

Michael

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I'll look up your info when I get home.
I just wanted to say I had the exact same experience as above: told my son I'd rather get blown up. Shot the first short with protectors, wasn't sure anything happened. Took them off still couldn't hear anything. Gave it to my son and he put a ton of holes at 100 yards.
Fav 22 rifle! More class than my 10-22 (which I still like).
Enjoy your find!
Greg

 

[I6turbo]

Nice Model 61!
I have a pristine Remington 121 which is very similar, built in 1950 and has belonged to my Dad's since about that time. Here's a side-by-side photo. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=JIl9UtfuK9OHkQfy6oCgCA&ved=0CDUQ9QEwAQ