Update:
Ordered new link from Numrich and installed same.
No joy.
Local gunsmith with great reputation says he can look at it in, maybe 180 days.
Took it to other local gunsmith with good reputation who kept it for a couple of weeks, "adjusted" something, charged me a (small) bench fee, but couldn't fix it. I took it home and found that (despite my joking warning not to have any parts left over) found he'd left out something. He was embarrassed when I went back to pick up the missing part and refunded my (small) bench fee.
Anybody have any experience with customer service at Winchester?
Or other suggestions.
Thanks,
Will