Winchester checkering

jag2 · February 28, 2012, 03:34 PM

Not sure if this is the right forum. I am looking at a Winchester model 61 that has checkering around the pistol grip and the seller is not sure if it is factory or not. Does anyone have a good closeup photo, I don't think it has to be a 61 but something similar that I could compare? Thanks. All suggestions are welcome.

johnbt · February 28, 2012, 03:56 PM

I suppose it was available as an option, but I have never seen one.

Here is a used high grade 61 .22 WMR for sale for $2600. I assume it's original. I sort of like the combination of engraving and checkering.

http://www.nwponyexpress.com/firearm...del-61-22-wmr/

30-30remchester · February 28, 2012, 07:49 PM

In my decades of collecting these I have never seen a factory checkered model 61. Checkering tools were cheap and there are plenty of talented people out there. Pictures would be nice.

jag2 · February 28, 2012, 09:18 PM

The rifle is listed on Guns Intl, their item number 100235488 if you want to look at it. I'm not sure I should "borrow" their picture. It looks nicely done and something not too elaborate, kind of what I would suspect from a factory design. If an individual commissioned it I would think it might be more elaborate, but just guessing. I've looked in a couple of Winchester books and they do list it as a factory option but none had any pictures.

HuntAndFish · February 28, 2012, 10:56 PM

If it's not factory it has the right characteristics for it. Narrow border outlining and 20 LPI. Very similar to that used on pre-64 model 70 rifles.

PetahW · February 29, 2012, 10:50 AM

Winchester never offered checkering on the Model 61 as a either a standard feature or as a factory option. I suppose a Custom Shop Special Order was always a possibiliy - but that should "letter".

ALL Winchester "Deluxe" models, of whatever ilk, never went out the door w/o a pistol grip cap.

As .30-30remchester said: " Checkering tools were cheap and there are plenty of talented people out there."

It might even have been a Winchester factory worker (checkering dept), doing a litle "homework".

.

johnbt · February 29, 2012, 11:58 AM

I like the gun. I might even pay that much for it and take it out and shoot it on sunny days.

However, although it could just be the pictures, the color and/or finish on the butt and forearm look different to me. I think I'd pass if it looked like that in person.

February 28, 2012, 03:34 PM	#1
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	Winchester checkering Not sure if this is the right forum. I am looking at a Winchester model 61 that has checkering around the pistol grip and the seller is not sure if it is factory or not. Does anyone have a good closeup photo, I don't think it has to be a 61 but something similar that I could compare? Thanks. All suggestions are welcome.

February 28, 2012, 10:56 PM	#5
HuntAndFish Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO. Posts: 580	If it's not factory it has the right characteristics for it. Narrow border outlining and 20 LPI. Very similar to that used on pre-64 model 70 rifles. __________________ NRA Benefactor MSSA Life Member

February 29, 2012, 10:50 AM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Winchester never offered checkering on the Model 61 as a either a standard feature or as a factory option. I suppose a Custom Shop Special Order was always a possibiliy - but that should "letter". ALL Winchester "Deluxe" models, of whatever ilk, never went out the door w/o a pistol grip cap. As .30-30remchester said: " Checkering tools were cheap and there are plenty of talented people out there." It might even have been a Winchester factory worker (checkering dept), doing a litle "homework". . Last edited by PetahW; February 29, 2012 at 02:34 PM.

February 28, 2012, 03:56 PM	#2
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	I suppose it was available as an option, but I have never seen one. Here is a used high grade 61 .22 WMR for sale for $2600. I assume it's original. I sort of like the combination of engraving and checkering. http://www.nwponyexpress.com/firearm...del-61-22-wmr/

February 28, 2012, 07:49 PM	#3
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	In my decades of collecting these I have never seen a factory checkered model 61. Checkering tools were cheap and there are plenty of talented people out there. Pictures would be nice.

February 28, 2012, 09:18 PM	#4
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	The rifle is listed on Guns Intl, their item number 100235488 if you want to look at it. I'm not sure I should "borrow" their picture. It looks nicely done and something not too elaborate, kind of what I would suspect from a factory design. If an individual commissioned it I would think it might be more elaborate, but just guessing. I've looked in a couple of Winchester books and they do list it as a factory option but none had any pictures.

February 29, 2012, 11:58 AM	#7
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	I like the gun. I might even pay that much for it and take it out and shoot it on sunny days. However, although it could just be the pictures, the color and/or finish on the butt and forearm look different to me. I think I'd pass if it looked like that in person.