Make: Winchester
Model: 61
Serial Number: 183310
Year of Manufacture: 1954
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Takedown Pump Action with Tubular Magazine
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 and Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom grooved slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered steel buttplate. There are minor nicks, scratches, and dings scattered about the buttstock and on the sides of the pump handle. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has some light wear with some thinning throughout. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is thinning along all leading edges, notably the receiver. The receiver surfaces also show scattered little nicks and scratches with some scattered minor surface oxidation throughout. The mag tube shows operational finish loss. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a cross-bolt safety at the front of the trigger guard and a slide release at the left rear. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and 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 1954 and is in Fine condition. It’s chambered in .22 Short, and features 95% of its original blued finish, gorgeous walnut stocks, a 24” barrel, strong mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling. This is a beautiful old Winchester .22 pump action, and a great relic of a bygone era, the “mom and apple pie” 1950s.
RIFLE