'44 Winchester

[imntxs554]

My '44 Winchester arrived last Night. I put it around 3 to 4-'44 to middle of '44 I just need to do some more checking. I would like to get the correct month. It looks to be all Winchester except for it's Inland Stock and Rockola Handguard and it's T3 Sear. It's in the 5.65 mil Range. I need to brush up a bit more on Winchester. I hope there are some answers in my books I need to understand more about it. NO IMPORT MARKINGS anywhere on this Carbine. 825.00 ----> 850.00 with Shipping Cost. It's was already Registered here in Texas from a State Trooper who lived outside of Dallas and it was sent straight to my Home. The DPS owner who has his FFL told me he could send this one to my home, but the other 2 he has For Sale needs to go to a FFL holder and One of things I don't understand is why did they put the S/N in Front of the Rear Sight also...you can Clearly see it with the one that's on it Now. There are NO GRIND marks anywhere on Barrel or by Receiver. It puzzling. I think either the previous owner or when he got it remove the BB and Rear Sight. I though Win. used a Flip Sight or a H in a Shield in this Range. I did see its right where they started to change then out to milled or stamped Sights. Who knows...Maybe someone will chime in and give me some clues if this is they way it should be in this range ? I do have a Winchester Stock and Handguard so I will probably use it for this Carbine.

Frank

[deldriver]

Frank, we would most likely know whether it came with a flip or adjustable if you'd take some closeup pictures of the rear sight from the top. The staking used could reveal what the original sight was. I do believe the front sight has been changed out and if the serial has been stamped in front of the rear sight, that will will hurt its value just a bit, but since you paid 825 you did fine with it. I have some issues the safety markings, but others can chime in there. BTW, does it have a bayonet lug on it? Going by the wear points below the W on the barrel it seems possible, but again, given the price you paid it hardly matters.

[imntxs554]

Yes...It has Type 3 BB with Lug....

[deldriver]

Is the rear sight a H in shield marked? I don't see any evidence it had a flip sight on it, but I could be missing something. There was an ordnance directive to stamp the serial number forward of the rear sight if the rear sight blocked the view of the serial. Seemingly, that order was ignored in lots of cases judging by the number of times it's seen that way.

[rcycles45]

In this serial number range you could find a flip sight or adjustable .Your rear sight looks to be original to the rifle , Winchester also used JAQ and IRCO rear sights along with H in shield . The type 3 barrel band also was showing up in this serial number range . Looks like a nice rifle .. How is the barrel band marked ?

[USGI]

Sight marking shows in picture #15 (J.A.O.). Nice carbine Frank! What stock does it have? (Inland) - Bob

[carwashchris]

Looks like your on a roll, did you buy the 42 Winchester too ? Nice pick up, hard to go wrong at that price.

[imntxs554]

The Rear Sight is Marked J.A.O. with part #7160060. The T3 BB with Lug is Marked M M Q. Here are the pictures. I thought the Rear Sight was JAQ, but it looks to be J.A.O. I can't tell so I had to make bigger Pics and Clearer to see exactly what it says. Thanks for the help. I did see in the books that Winchester used The H in a Shield, but does say they also used J.A.O. with Number along with IRCo with number which ever they had sent to them and in Stock at the time of having to use them. I do have a H in a Shield Rear Sight in one of my Parts Bin.

Frank

[DaveHH]

I have 5629287 it is thought to be an original piece right down to the AU recoil plate. It was made in march of 1944. They were using both type3s and flip sights at that time. I would say that the rear sight on yours is original to the weapon. The staking on the front sight is not what would be expected from Winchester, I also would not expect a type 3 band on this gun a type 2 would be correct.

[imntxs554]

I'm going by the Front Sight...If you have the Carbine in your hands and you can look at it real close. This Front Sight Looks like it has never been off this Carbine. I searched every inch of the Barrel and Receiver not one Scratch, grind or anything to show there was a import mark and was taken off. I think this Carbine was built this way. I like the Carbine and the deal was even better. All anyone can do is speculate. The DPS Trooper that sod it to me he has 7 others listed of a variety of WW2 Rifles and a couple more Carbines. They ALL look to be in really great shape. He did well Collecting all these years and is retiring, but is selling of his collection before he leaves the State Agency.