Winchester Stock W/ Milled M2 cut

[Jim Long]

What can you all tell me about this stock? Oval cut low wood.Notice the ghost ord wheel next to the other one that is well difined.What do you make of that? Box is W.R.A. & the sling well has the W. P on inside of grip. No other markings on stock. What time frame are we talking about for the M2 cut?

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[Mike in NC]

Is this a non-potbelly stock? There were non-pot belly M2 Winchester stocks, however they will only have the crossed cannon and no other cartouches. The other very real possibility is that that this is an original M2 stock with the ghost cross cannon being the original acceptance cartouche and the WRA over GHD in a box and stronger cross cannon was added later, maybe very recently.

To me, the WRA over GHD and stronger crossed cannon cartouche are much too strong and crisp to match up with the rest of the stock.

Is the forearm of the stock flat on the bottom like a typical WRA carbine stock?

[Jim Long]

Thanks Mike and others that may chime in...Not a Pot Belly.. Flat bottom Winchester stock like most of them were..Here's a wider view of the stamps To me they look pretty consistant with the rest of the stock wear and appear shallower than the photos show...What would the P stamp on the inner grip indicate?

[Mike in NC]

The "P" on the front of the pistol grip was applied at some point after it was initally accepted. It could have been during rebuild activities or it could have been applied during an inspection that didn't involve a rebuild. Basically it is an inspection mark to the best of my knowledge.

[Jim Long]

The "P" perhaps stamped after the Selector cut was made? So the stamping is wrong for it to be a correct Winchester non pot belly stock for an M2?

[Mike in NC]

The "P" on the front of the pistol grip was not present when the carbine was originally manufactured. It just means that the carbine that was in that stock was subject to an inspection process sometime in its lifetime after its original acceptance. No huge sin, but not an original acceptance mark. Most collectors would rather have a stock that didn't have that marking. The "P" could have made either before or after the selector cut was made. I don't think there is any easy way to tell about which happed first.

[bug]

How long is the front channel that supports the barrel? 3"or 4".

[painter777]

On some notes I have scratched down here,
I was of the understanding that the Boxed WRA over GHD with the Crossed Cannons next to it was used on early Winchester I cut Hi-wood stocks. Starting from the first production to about serial 1,153,591. The Oval cut Hi-wood came into use at or about 1,067,649. So there would be a overlap where both I cuts were being used up while the Oval cuts were being introduced. Also the UN-boxed W.R.A. over G.H.D. with the CC to the side could be found on later I cuts, Oval cut Hi-wood stocks and the early type III Lo-woods. At about 5,5 mil or so normally you'd expect to just see the CC only.

Pictures are of a early I cut Winchester Hi-wood,



Note the cut recess at the top and bottom of the I cut in the oiler slot.
Now the oval oiler slot wouldn't have that type of recess cut in the top or bottom.
If your stamp is a real one, it's was most likely a type II Oval that has been cut down to a lo-wood and had the cut for the M2 added at that time or possibly later.
Look for any sign of it being cut down from a Hi-wood to a Lo-wood.
If there's no sign of it being cut down from a Hi-wood.....then someones bought a new stamp and been practicing.

hth

Charlie-painter777

[painter777]

Look closely at the picture I posted of the Boxed WRA/GHD and compare it to your's.

See?

Charlie-painter777

[frankderrico]

O.K. Painter, now I see what you mean. It took me a while looking back and forth, but now I got it. That kind of knowlege is good to know.....Frank