Make: Winchester
Model: 61 Winchester Counter-Bore Smoothbore
Serial Number: 52010
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: .22 LR Shot Only
Action Type: Pump Action with Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24" Round
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade fixed to the barrel above the muzzle.
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 butt plate. The buttstock has scattered minor nicks and light compressions, primarily in the lower areas. There are some notable scuffs on the belly. The forend has several minor compressions. 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 light thinning. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The Winchester Counter-Bore smooth bore is bright. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. There is some light finish loss on the leading edges. There is freckled surface oxidation on the receiver flats. There are some sparsely scattered nicks and faint scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The magazine tube has some operational wear. The screw heads have minor tool marks with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good Plus 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 did not fire 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 Vintage Winchester Model 61 Rifle was made in 1941 and is in Very Good Plus 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”. Winchester made very few Model 61s with this type of barrel. 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. 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, 87% of its original finish, a matted top frame, a single bead at the muzzle, elegant two-piece walnut stocks, strong mechanics, and a bright Winchester Counter-Bore smooth bore with no erosion. This scarce Model 61 Matted Frame Smoothbore made in 1941 could be the jewel of any Winchester slide-action collection.
RIFLE