Make: Winchester
Model: 62A
Serial Number: 368461
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Rifle fed by Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 23” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel above the muzzle. The rear sight is a U-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the top rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom grooved slide handle, straight wrist, straight comb, and black hard rubber buttplate. The wood shows light nicks and compressions, as well as some minor handling and storage marks. 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 handling marks, scuffs, and scratches. The wood to metal fit is tight. The stocks are in Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no erosion in the bore. There are three distinct bulges in the bore, which is common for these gallery guns as a result of misfires. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows moderate wear with some scattered light nicks and scratches. The barrel shows areas of finish loss from abrasive cleaning that has turned a light patina. There is light finish loss on most leading edges. There is some light oxidation at the front of the barrel and bottom of the receiver. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & 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, including Winchester's Model 1906 and Model 62. The Model 62 was produced from 1932-1958 with about 310,000 manufactured in total, and featured flat-sided receivers, round barrels, and outstanding wood to metal fit. The craftsmanship that went into those rifles was appreciated by the shooters at the time, and remains valued by collectors today. The rarest and most desirable Winchester Model 62As are the “Gallery Guns”. These were the pump action repeaters used by shooting galleries at amusement parks across the country, which offered the chance for boys and men to “step right up” and show off their marksmanship skills. Gallery Guns have a few distinct features. First, they were chambered for .22 Short, better suited for the short distances of shooting galleries and the crowded environments in which they were hosted. Second, the loading ports were of a triangular shape, as opposed to a cartridge shape on standard Model 62As. The triangular shape facilitated the use of speedloaders, which allowed the carnies to get the gallery guns into the hands of the next customer even faster. Lastly some, but not all, were roll-marked with “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK” in large “lightning strike italicized” lettering on the left side of the receiver, a clever way to let the gallery’s customers know who made the rifle which brought them so much enjoyment.
This Winchester Model 62A Rifle was made in 1955, remains in Very Good condition, and is a rare and desirable Gallery Gun. It’s chambered in .22 Short, features the triangular loading port, a 23” barrel, a bright bore with defined rifling, 80% of its original blued finish, and elegant walnut stocks, and most importantly, carries “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK” roll-marked in large “lightning strike italicized” lettering on the left side of the receiver. This is a wonderful example of the classic Winchester Model 62A Gallery Gun of the 1950s.
RIFLE