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Well, I bought this rifle from a gentleman off of gunbroker about 6 months ago, and knew I had a keeper when it arrived. I finally had some time to really tear her apart and reference the drawing numbers with Scott Duff's data sheets. I am really surprised at how correct this rifle is. The stock looks original, and so do the parts. If y'all see something out of place, let me know. Anyway, here are the pics (and there are a bunch).
Any cartouch on the stock under the lock bar sight? If you got the rife for uner $1,000 you did really well!
Also been collecting the '41 Winchesters too - note how the word TRADEMARK and TRADE MARK are stamped on the receivers. Interesting to see a hammer with the hole ?
There are no inspection stamps under the lockbar sight. If I can remember where I read it, some early stocks were not inspection stamped. I could be wrong though. Got it for $, which I am happy with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuetzenman
Mine says Trade Mark (with a space seperating the 2 words) Did not notice the hole in the hammer until you mentioned it. I looks purposefully done. Thanks for pointing that out.Quote:
Originally Posted by RCS
Very nice find. Congratulations. Nice correct Winchesters are very hard to find. Can you take a picture of top of the rear sight to include the cover plate? Does it have the Winchester punch mark?
It is hard to tell if the coverplate has a punch mark or not. I'll try and get some pics up later today. If it is not punched, I am fine with it. Were all early WRA parts punched?Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarn
The gas tube looks very white, like all the bluing was stripped off. My VZ-24s looked like this too due to cleaning solutions that stripped the finish off. Is the color of my gas tube due to the type of metal used and the cleaning solution used? The part looks new, but I do not want to re-blue it, if it is historically supposed to look that way. Let me know what you guys think.
On your s/n 103704, the stock is not likely to be a WRA RS as 98% of these stocks had the trigger guard recess cut just like the SA SPG. Your lower band looks like a SA, the safety should be top marked. ALL early stocks were cartouched if the rifle was issued, if there is no cartouche - then it is worn-off. You need a no-trap WRA buttplate too.
Thanks for the helpful info. What do you mean by a WRA RS stock? Is it common for the cartouche to simply wear off? Do you have a good example of a WRA lower band so I can compare it to mine? Do you have a good parts resource I can use to hunt down the parts to make mine correct? Thanks again. Y'all are a very helpful bunch.Quote:
Originally Posted by RCS
I hate to say it but it is a complete put together. The grooved band & guard band are Springfield and the stock not a early RS marked as it should be it looks to be a early GHD. The sight should be a Type one also. Safety is also incorrect . Rick B
Here is a photo of a WRA grooved lower band - this is original not faked, also some rear sight photos
The serial number is way too early for a CM op rod catch. I'm thinking a very well done restoration. The lack of a no-trap stock with RS stamp reinforces that. Those stocks bring thousands, so it makes the restoration prohibitively expensive.
Thanks for the info. LOL! I'll just tell myself it was a field replacement to make me feel better.:cheers: It is what it is. I feel that I got a decent Winchester garand at a decent price.Quote:
Originally Posted by bob seijas
It's still a good example of an early gun. I'd love to have it just like it is! Nice to see they're still out there in some form or other!
I've been playing w/ Garands since about 1983 and I still have yet to come across an early Winchester for sale that I thought was "correct" (as is) enough to buy. I don't generally buy off the internet though- I've got to be "hands-on" for such purposes- the last possible "correct" early M1 Winchester I saw sell went for about US$6000 :yikes: on the internet- a buddy had bid it up over 4500, but we got scared to go higher- too many potential dramas!
Congrat's. The barrel, uncut op rod, and short fork follower rod alone are worth $1000, if you were to strip the rifle down and piece it out.
Don
There are some really great parts in there like that extra hole WRA hammer - super tough part for the early WRA guys to find. It might almost make you think that there were a few good parts on this one already and it was just helped but then you see the little bit later safety and start to lean more towards a nicely done resto. It is a tough era and it is almost a little crazy to try to bite one off (but worth the effort to loons like me). Heck, some guys never get to handle some of these parts like a numbered WRA gas cylinder and WRA checkered knobs.
The oprod catch is way too early to be in there and the barrel band looks to be an early SA instead of WRA. The stock appears to be a nice long channel I would put it in the GHD range but it could be a little earlier. But why pick it apart, it is a good looking rifle and heaven forbid you find a bit or two that you like better on there - you can always upgrade from what you have there already if you find them. Much of the fun is in the hunt for those tough, early parts.
Very neat find - congrats and thanks for sharing the great pictures.
I have seen that hammer in another substantially original 103,xxx. That extra-hole hammer is much tougher than a high on the right safety ... a factor of about 6 or 8 to 1 - that is pretty durned neat all by itself.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_3684-1.jpg
I like it I like it I like it. once again I say to go perfect and you need to be very rich or prepare to be very poor. I dont think I will ever own one as nice as this one but the ones I own have history of use. that counts for me. enjoy your find.
Thanks to all for the great comments and honest straight forward truth. I am very happy with the rifle, and I will try to hunt down some of those needed parts. First item is going to be the WRA lower band. Next will be the safety, and then the op rod catch. Lots of time left in my life to hunt down the parts. :beerchug:
I didn't mean to sound rough just being direct. You could probably sell the barreled receiver for what you paid so you didn't do bad. I would make sure though in the future you try to research what you are buying as there are allot of sharks out there. The stories are amazing and make us want to put up money right away. Be careful. Rick B
I would be proud to own that Winchester !!!
:thup:
Thanks! This will be passed down to my son one day when he is ready.Quote:
Originally Posted by 22mike
No offense taken. I appreciate honesty. I know you guys are here to always give great advice. :beerchug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick B
By looking at the below pictures, there seems to be a unit stamp of some sorts. Is this a rack number or unit number?
Very nice Winchester you got there. Very nice indeed!
Well, life seems to get in the way. I am sad to do this, but I have to sell the rifle. Listed it on gunbroker last night. Would I best sell it as a whole or part the rifle out? I wouldn't part her out if I knew she was correct, and not a put together. Thanks.
If you sell it whole, who's to say the next man won't see green in his eyes and part it out after you? I've had that happen. I think it could be worth more as parts. Of course that would be a shame anyway. It's yours and you should do what you want.
Great looking WRA. Congratulations!!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbarrad
Did it sell?
Yes it did sell. I think it did well. Now I've got to sell the Greek ammo, books and a StoneAxe muzzle and throat combo gauge. Also some other odd ball items. Look for them in the for sale section of this forum at great prices.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4thADson
