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Make: Winchester
Model: 62A
Serial Number: 299652
Year of Manufacture: 1951
Caliber: .22 Short, Long or Long Rifle
Action Type: Pump Action with Three Quarters Length Tubular Magazine and Takedown Receiver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. / -U.S. OF AMERICA-”, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”, and “MODEL 62A- / 22 S.L. OR L.R.-”. The top of the receiver and top rear of the barrel are marked with ovalled “WP” proofs. The bottom of the receiver and bottom tang are marked with the serial number “299652”.
Barrel Length: 23” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade, integral to a base that is dovetailed onto the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notched slide-step elevator that is dovetailed onto the barrel. The front sight bead has been slightly damaged.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a flat-bottom 17-groove slide handle, straight grip, straight comb, and a checkered “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.” black plastic shotgun-style buttplate. There is a notable ding on the left rear of the slide handle. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few light compressions and minor nicks. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has a few areas of compression to the checkers, and scuffs in the details of the embossed logo. Overall, the stocks rate in about 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 the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows scattered light handling marks and scuffs on the surfaces, with some expected operational wear on the slide arm, top of the receiver, magazine tube, and lower flanks of the barrel. There is slight oxidation on the tangs. There is thinning on the leading edges. The screw head slots display only a small amount of tooling and are highly serviceable. The markings are crisp and clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle takes down into two halves in seconds for easy storage and maintenance. The slide arm has minimal play, the action is smooth, and the trigger pull is crisp. 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 shooters at the time, and remains valued by collectors today. A name change, from the Model 62 to the Model 62A, occurred in the middle of 1940 when Winchester changed the breech bolt mechanism.
This Post-War Winchester Model 62A Pump Action Rifle was made in 1951 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 23” barrel, 90% of its lustrous, original blued finish, elegant two-piece walnut stocks with a flat-bottom 17-groove slide handle, straight grip and comb, and a checkered “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.” black plastic shotgun-style buttplate, crisp markings, smooth mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. The front sight bead has been slightly damaged, and there is a notable ding on the left rear of the slide handle. This rifle should appeal to Winchester collectors, or anyone wanting a nice, light rifle for plinking and small game hunting. The ability of this rifle to feed and chamber .22 Short will be of interest to those living in semi-rural areas who don’t want to upset their neighbors with the sharp crack of .22 Long Rifle.