Winchester Model 61 .22 Magnum WMR Pump/Slide Action Rifle, MFD 1961 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,526
LSB#: 190906RW01
Make: Winchester
Model: 61
Serial Number: 327638
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Caliber: .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
Action Type: Pump Action with 7/8 Length 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 underside front of the receiver is marked “327638” and the front underside of the trigger guard is marked “327638 / A”. The top rear of the barrel and the top of the receiver’s chamber ring are marked with a circled “WP” proof mark.
Barrel Length: The round barrel is 24” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel bead dovetailed into the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat topped “U” notched elevator sight dovetailed into the top of the barrel.The top of the receiver is grooved for scope mounts.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a lacquered finish. The buttstock has a smooth pistol grip and a checkered black plastic buttplate with a circular “WINCHESTER / REPEATING / ARMS CO.” logo in the center. The forend is a beavertail with a nearly flat bottom and 17 grooves in each of its sides. There is light oil staining around the upper and lower tangs of the receiver. There are drag lines in the front and left side of the wrist, scrape marks through the finish on both sides of the lower tang, a few deep dings in the belly, and a few light marks in the remainder. There is a bruise and several light marks in the underside of the forend with two drag lines and a bruise between the grooves in the right side of the forend. The wood to metal fit is excellent. The LOP measures 13 11/16” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows very light wear at the heel and toe, and the checkering is sharp, but there are several tiny round divots in the toe area. The buttplate is in about Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Fine Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
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 few light handling marks scattered over the barrel, trigger guard and the sides of the receiver. There is thinning on the edges of the slide and at the front underside edge of the receiver, with a few spots of thinning on the top of the barrel. The takedown screw slot shows light marks from a screwdriver and its serrations are sharp. The knurling on the magazine tube rod is sharp and the markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine 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 used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 61 rifle was introduced in 1932, and was a hammerless design with a tubular magazine. Round and octagon barrels were available in .22 S, L and Long Rifle, and the octagon barrels were also available in .22 WRF. After WWII, the octagon barrels were discontinued and the .22 WRF chambering was replaced with the better performing .22 WMR cartridge. This rifle was made in 1961 and has a 24” round barrel chambered in .22 WMR. The rifle is in about Fine condition with about 95% of its original finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. This slide action repeater would look great in any collection of pump rimfire rifles, but it really belongs in a collection next to its Model 1890 and 1906 predecessors. Winchester pre-1964 rifles and shotguns are prized by collectors and shooters alike for their finish and the smoothness of their actions.