Cleaned Up Winchester Gallery Gun

[Screwball 483]

This gun likely wasn’t shot for years, and from cleaning, I’d say it had quite a few .22 Shorts through it. Amount of lead I pulled out was unreal.

My father didn’t remember the gun from his childhood (one of four boys), but likely one uncle picked it up, and then was taken by another uncle after his death. Probably at least from 1997 until around 2002, this was underneath a bed... until my father found it when cleaning out my uncle’s bedroom after he died (second one who died). Was 14 at the time, so when we got it home, I cleaned the barrel, wiped it down, and it went in my father’s safe for 17 years. Had a shotgun I was looking to get rid of, so got that and another gun in trade from my father.

The rifle was not something I’d want to shoot in the state I got it. I though the magazine tube was welded to the barrel... due to grime in the gap. Fought me most of the way, but once I got the magazine rings off the barrel... I knew I was good to go.

While it isn’t that great looking, definitely a lot better than it was...

It is a Winchester 62 in .22 Short... but little oddity with how it is setup. Serial number puts the receiver as a Model 1906, which was the second model off the original 1890 Browning design. Winchester did put together a few of these as “cleanup guns” prior to World War II, but the serial number is a little low for that time. Works out to being produced in June of 1931. Yet, Model 62s weren’t started until spring of 1932. Barrel does not look to be a replacement from the proof marks. It also has a 62A bolt, as the firing pin stop is held in by pins... earlier design used screws for that. But unlike most Gallery Guns, this one matches both halves with the serial number.

Can’t wait to take it to the range, as the barrel looks great. I’m thinking an almost 88 year old gun would be a nice addition to my collection. But with the family ties to it, I really just want to keep it around to teach my children (when I have some) on it... as well as pass it down to them.

[Maksim 1,504]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

For some reason those guns just look weird.

And those triangle proof marks... almost made me think I was looking at mosins. 

[Screwball 483]

Yea, the pump makes you think is should have a shotshell in the magazine... but it is actually pretty comfortable to cycle the action.

Plus being a Browning design... no disconnector. Easier to slamfire.

[Matteo323 0]

nice rifle , I have a model 61 in .22 mag and love it.

[Screwball 483]

Thanks.

Applied for a letter about it from Cody, but no records of the 62. I think it is a 1890 serial number, but unsure if I want to try that model number. Might resubmit with a little extra info and see if they got anything.

[TonyJ 17]

Screwball , Great little rifle with great history behind it. Let me know how it shoots .Here’s a good article.

https://www.guns.com/news/2014/04/09/winchester-model-62-pump-action-rifles-ultimate-gallery-gun

Tony

 

[tony357 386]

Nice, did good job cleaning it up. Friend of mine has one that has been in his family long time.

[myhatinthering 462]

very cool, one of my favorites

[Screwball 483]

Just paid Cody for the letter... likely will be here in about four weeks.

Will have to see what it says.

[Screwball 483]

[fishnut 2,358]

Nice! Gotta love the cody museum! I got the factory build info for my winchester m21 from them. 

[tony357 386]

Reminds me of the gallery guns used on the boardwalk. What would the liberals think today if they found one of those gallery's operating on the boardwalk. I am sure they are the reason there gone along with ammo cost.

 

[Screwball 483]

If it weren’t due to the gang members using pump action .22 Shorts, it would be lead exposure.

My new schedule is going to be pretty awesome in regards to days off (12 hour days... anywhere from 3 to 7 days off in a row), but probably going to teach my girlfriend’s daughter how to shoot on it.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

That is an awesome rifle and story, thanks for sharing.