1944 Winchester

[ltcboy]

Hi all-

Well I bagged my first Winchester! I never really thought I would ever get one.

I was at the Crown Point, In. gun show last month. There was a guy I came across that had a 1944 Winchester. I asked him about it and he said that another guy had sold it to him because he needed the money. I looked it over but I didn’t have any of my gauges or Duff's reference book nor my C&R license. So, he gave me his card and I called him back later on in the week. He said he would hold it for me and that he was going to the DuPage County IL gun show, on Oct 4th, and that he would have a table and he would be there.

Well, I got there today and I finally found him. He actually had it marked higher than what he had it from the last time. Now I don't know if this was to actually "hold it" for me or if he really was thinking of getting the higher price. Well, I finally found him and I was relieved that the rifle was still there.

She seems to be all correct. The receiver is 2.51 million, putting her at Oct or Nov 0f 1944. I think that the barrel is original. Barrel is Winchester, has the correct numbers on the top, as well as the Winchester markings on the side. MW was a 3, TE 3.5 to a 4. Bolt is correct as is op rod and clip latch. The bullet guide is correct as the follower assembly. Op rod is correct WRA slant cut.

As for the stock, it looks as it was refinished, has a faint cartouche WRA/GHD with faint crossed cannons. On the right hand side is RRAD, so it went through an Army depot at some point. It has a circle P behind the trigger guard and another P on the pistol grip bottom. The lower band is arched (correct) and it has a stamped rear hand guard clip.

Trigger group is all Winchester; the housing has the clover leaf with the correct drawing number. All the rest of the trigger assembly is correct, except I am questioning the safety. It is supposed to be WRA-1. I don’t know if mine is correct. I think it is a WRA-4??? I don’t know, if you guys could verify by looking at the pics, I would appreciate it.

The gas cylinder looks correct as it has the wide sight base. Has the correct single slot locking screw?? He gave me two different kinds because he didn’t know which one was correct. Again, if you guys could verify by looking at the pics. Rear sight assembly is correct. It has both knurled windage and elevation knobs, along with a type II locking bar.

The butt plate looks correct, but I could not find a 2S on it. Looks like it has the correct border, again if that can be verified.
All in all, I think I did ok. Haggled with the guy about the price, finally got him down to $1700. It's a lot of money to me, but I don’t think I will find other Winchesters out there for this price and having been almost 100%. I was actually on the phone during the whole time I was able to take the rifle apart with Rick borecky. He was very helpful in helping me identify some of the things you have to be keen on when looking at a Winchester. My thanks to him.

Opinions and assistance is greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance for any help.

Mike



1944 Winchester M1 Garand pictures by Ltcboy - Photobucket

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

Very nice looking WRA Garand you got yourself! I am putting one together and am down to a trigger, follower assembly, ........stock and barrel! Ouch! I doubt I'll find either at a cost that will be worth spending on this WRA though. The trigger and follower assembly won't be that big of an issue except Arnold is taking all my gun money these days!

[ltcboy]

Bill-

Good luck with your project. Hope you eventually get one put together.

I see you have the 1944 Willys, my neighbor has a fully restored 1951 Korean war era and I have an M151A2 Mutt that I am working on.

MIke

[Bob Womack]

Vurry noice Winny!

[Sgt Rock]

That is a very nice looking rifle. Well done!