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Make: Winchester
Model: 61
Serial Number: 304325
Year of Manufacture: 1960
Caliber: .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR)
Action Type: Pump Action with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-”, and “MODEL 61- / 22 WIN. MAG. R.F.”. The bottom of the frame and bottom metal are both marked “304325”. The top of the barrel and receiver are both marked with Winchester “WP” proofs.
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The receiver is scope grooved.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom 17-groove slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered Winchester hard rubber buttplate. There are light handling marks with a few notable compressions on the right side of the slide grip. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The buttplate has well defined checkering with some light wear generally at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks rate in Fine Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are spots of finish loss in the magazine tube and streaks of thinning and finish loss in the underside of the barrel from rubbing on the forend. There are a couple nicks on the front outer circumference of the muzzle. The knurling on the magazine tube rod is sharp. The markings are crisp and clear. There are minor freckles on the tangs. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent 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 & 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. Winchester introduced the Model 61 “Magnum” in 1960, chambered in the new, more powerful .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, which gave the rifle a little more punch and range.
This First Year Winchester Model 61 Magnum was made in 1960 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 24” barrel, 95% of its lustrous, original blued finish, elegant two-piece walnut stocks with a flat-bottom 17-groove slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, and checkered Winchester hard rubber buttplate, a scope grooved receiver, crisp markings, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. This is a wonderful First Year Model 61 Magnum.