British Proof-marks on a March '42 Winchester

I'd say the whole rifle needs a clean and oil, wood needs some BLO. Pic #2 here shows the bolt lug has the other proof mark, one on the barrel ring and one on the bolt lug. Both are typically smashed. Yes, the gas cylinder could have been switched during the import degreasing. Stranger things... Nice rifle. Nice history capsule. I take it the bore is about new? Have a look at the firing pin, you'll have to strip the bolt to do that. Round profile firing pins are probably best not fired. Mine didn't break but if it does it could cost the rifle.

The barrel measures 1.5 at the throat and 1.0 at the muzzle, it is just about new. There is also very little wear along the receiver indicating it hasn’t seen much cycling.

Yes, sorry about not providing a photograph of the firing pin. I’m admittedly cautious about disassembling the rifle. When we first got it, I stripped it down to see if the bullet guide and follower arm were period correct (both are) but taking the bolt and stripping it gives me a bit of anxiety.

My father and I purchased the rifle looking for a nice, near original/correct six-digit Winchester. Happy to have learned about it and I want to thank everyone who’s chimed in to help!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ms15710

Yes, sorry about not providing a photograph of the firing pin.

---

Not a problem, just info for you. No one else has mentioned it yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ms15710

taking the bolt and stripping it gives me a bit of anxiety.

---

Wish I were closer, using an M10 cleaning rod handle and refer to the book...it's a wiz. Nothing to it.

At least you know about the round firing pins, they apparently fractured during use and would stick out causing a detonation of live round in an unlocked breech.

You can use the M10 tool without disassembly of the rifle, I put some oil on the tool before chambering it, also oil the extractor a bit as it
will lift out without any problem

Try this way. Rick B


M1 Garand Lesson Bolt assembly - YouTube

I would like to see the top front face of the gas cylinder lock and a better pictures of the gas cylinder. Maybe I have missed it but the gas cylinder from the angles that I see lead me to believe it could be SA. And the other question I have for the guru's, does it appear that the receiver may have been annealed? While the legs do not look like it one of the side shots of the rear elevation side has a shadow like it could have been, just a question I thought I would ask. As the above experts have said above, it's a great find and a beautiful rifle, thank you for sharing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RCS

You can use the M10 tool without disassembly of the rifle,

---

Exactly what I meant, the extractor lifts out gently and the whole thing is under control.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cpc

does it appear that the receiver may have been annealed?

---

Yes, the dark sides of the receiver tail would indicate annealing.

How many Winchester receivers in the 1.2 million serial range do you find without the rear anneal color ?

There are some early ones but very rare to find ! I think the factory anneal started before the serials in
the 1.2 million were produced. Need some research in this area

Gorgeous rifle! Congrats!

That would be good information to know. This rifle looks mostly original to me, except maybe the gas cylinder. I wouldn’t think an original rifle this early would be annealed but this rifle doesn’t appear to be a put together. I would sure like to hear what you, Bob, Paul, etc think about it. Regards

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RCS

How many Winchester receivers in the 1.2 million serial range do you find without the rear anneal color ?

There are some early ones but very rare to find ! I think the factory anneal started before the serials in
the 1.2 million were produced. Need some research in this area

---