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Make: Winchester
Model: 72
Serial Number: No Serial Number Visible (NSNV)
Year of Manufacture: 1938-1942
Caliber: .22 Short, Long or Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action, Tube-Fed
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO / NEW HAVEN, CONN.-PATENT PENDING.-”, “MODEL 72-22 SHORT / LONG AND LONG RIFLE”, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”. The top of the receiver is marked “FV” on the right lip of the ejection port and a star on the left lip. The calibers being “spelled out” on the barrel instead of abbreviated by one or two letters indicate that this rifle was produced prior to the pause in production during WW2.
Barrel Length: 25” Round
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch with riser, dovetailed to the barrel. This sight configuration was a special order as the standard model came with a receiver-mounted aperture sight.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with a semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered composition buttplate. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. There are no handling marks. Overall, the stock rates in Excellent 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 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows little to no wear. There are a couple of tiny marks on the barrel and trigger guard. There is intermittent oxidation and there are rust freckles on the receiver and barrel. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action 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, and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 72, introduced in 1938, offers a glimpse into a less heralded chapter of Winchester's storied rifle lineage, nestled between the illustrious Model 52 and the popular Model 69. As a derivative of the Model 69 designed by Frank Burton, the Model 72 features distinctive enhancements such as a tubular magazine—Winchester's first foray into tube-fed bolt-action designs—and a simplified two-position safety at the rear of the action. This model diverges from its magazine-fed predecessors by offering a high-capacity solution, accommodating up to 20 .22 Short cartridges, which was a significant selling point against competing entry-level rifles of the era. The Model 72 was available in various configurations, primarily distinguished by their sighting options. The standard variant boasted a unique receiver-mounted aperture sight, eschewing traditional rear barrel sights, which were neither dovetailed nor prepared for easy scope mounting. This design choice underscored its target-shooting capabilities, although a version with a rear barrel sight was also available upon request. Despite a production pause during WW2, the Model 72 resumed manufacture in the post-war era, and ultimately concluded its run in 1959, with a total production of 161,412 rifles.
This Pre-War Winchester Model 72 .22 Short, Long or Long Rifle Bolt Action Rifle was made between 1938-1942, as distinguished by the calibers marked on the barrel being “spelled out” rather than abbreviated by one or two letters, and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 25” barrel, 98% of its crisp, original blued finish, a gorgeous one-piece smooth walnut stock, a special order rear barrel sight (the standard model carried a receiver-mounted aperture sight), and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion.