Winchester '44 barrel & stock markings

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Originally Posted by painter777

USGI,
National Ordnance used same/similar set up.

You think this would work if they used the 03a3 barrels and demilled carbine barrels that had swaged cylinders?

A picture of the OP's muzzle and chamber may help.
Could compare to the pictures halfway~ down this link:

National Ordnance

fwiw,
Charlie-Painter777

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Here you go. Looks similar to the photo of the 03a3. Pretty clear there are two layers- inner replacement barrel and outer original "sleeve" It shoots really well and the replacement appears to be done cleanly/professionally. I think I'll keep it and chalk it up to experience.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zpsnswv-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zpsibxi-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zpsfxwo-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zpsuvbt-1.jpg

Guys...I hear a lot about the "tall" W not being Winchester. I have good reason to believe that it is. My reason...I have a late Winchester M-1 stock with no rebuild marks that has both the "tall" and "short" Ws on the sling bevel.
so unless the "tall" W is a subcontractor mark for someone who provided spare stocks and Winchester got some of them, I believe it IS a Winchester marking, albeit a late one.

Hello JimB

This stock owned by the OP is the 2nd (Later) style "potbelly".

One just like it is shown and was commented on by you in this link:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=41349

Cheers Buddy,
Charlie-Painter777

I can't speak very much about Winchester carbine stocks, but early Winchester carbine handguards definitely had a larger W stamp used, along often with a possible inspector's letter in the channel underneath.

Painter....that is not the same "tall" W. Too wide. However; I'm beginning to rethink those W markings. By that point in the war, the original dies may have worn out or broken and other dies may have been used. Knowing that the war was winding down, they may have started to use any W die available. When you find multiple, different W stampings on the same stock, it makes you go Hmmmm?!

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Originally Posted by deldriver

early Winchester carbine handguards definitely had a larger W stamp used, along often with a possible inspector's letter in the channel underneath.

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Hi Del,
I've seen, handled and own many LATE 4 rivet Winchester HG's that may have a small W or a larger/wider/taller W. With the HG laying upside down, with retaining tab toward you, the larger W is most often found stamped on the right lower edge.

If stamped with the more common small W, it's found on the left edge about 1"-2-1/2" from the stepped notch.

Have seen all 3 style WRA HG's having the random letter stamped inside the channel.

The WRA HG's have a very similar milling pattern by the notch cut. Having 2 circular milling scars, with the outer circle always over cutting the inner circle.

JimB,
I agree about the Tall W. I've seen a 'couple' on late WRA Type III modified to M2 with long barrel channel stocks having the taller/wider W in the well. One of these had a barely visible small(more common) W also in the well.

I'll try to post some pictures in the next few days, showing some examples. This laptop won't allow me to use photobucket and the wife is on the big pc.

Thx Guys,
Charlie-Painter777

There's lots of fake stamps out there now and yes I have seen some pretty lame attempts at adding a W to a Winchester carbine slingwell. I've actually seen a couple of people add fake W's to slingwells that already had a legit one it its normal place... now that's sad. Look at the Winchester stock (if it actually is) on eBay right now that has some creative stampings here and there

In the link below are a few pictures in the 7th reply that will show milling marks on WRA HG's and general position of the small W stamps:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=42350

Del,
I don't want to look tonight, won't sleep well ! :banghead:

Charlie-P777