As some of you may know, I've been putting together a Winchester Model 69/69A collection for years - I even managed to find a "deluxe" 69A that was factory checkered with a grip cap.

At any rate, today I found a peep-sighted original 69 with the cock-on-closing action. I figure by its features it was made in mid-1937; the metal finish and stock remain in original condition. It was equipped with the not-so-common factory 10-round magazine. Here's a pic:



For comparison, here is a standard 69 (circa 1936), the 69 I acquired today, and a 69A, probably made about 1955, with a scope:



And here is that 69A "deluxe" I referenced; probably manufactured in 1954, grooved for scope mounting:



For those who are more technically minded, here is a pic of the original Model 69 cock-on-closing action, and the more modern 69A action that cocks on opening and has a very fast speed-lock:



More information on the Winchester 69 series can be found on pages 110-111 in my book 101 Classic Firearms.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I used a 69 for years hunting fantastic shooters, Winchester offered guns for all price ranges like the 69, 75 and the upper level 52 I have one of all three of these type all use the same magazine.

Enjoyed the post and pictures; great little rifles. The first gun I ever bought was a 69A when I was 13 in 1962. Had collected some lawn mowing money, and begged my Mom and Dad to let me buy a .22. They said ok thinking it would take awhile to arrange but I talked to the local hardware store owner and the 69A arrived the next day. Still have it although at some point I read a gun magazine article about improving the stock profile and went after it with my Dad's plane and some chisels so it is now a "customized" 69A. Lots of woodchucks went down to that little .22 and the grand sons will have it one of these days. It is surprising how much the centerfire Model 43 (22 Hornet, 218 Bee, 32-20, 25-20) resembles the 69.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I always enjoy John’s posts and love his book.
I have a peep-sighted rifle similar to the one in the original post but it is the post-1937 cock-on-opening Model 69A version. The bolt handle on these is crimped onto the cocking sleeve (you may be able to see the two crimp indentions in the attached photos) but mine is becoming a little loose. I’ve seen various fixes proposed including silver soldering and more crimping but I’m inclined to leave the thing alone for the time being.
Anyone have any experience with this issue?

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Tom,

I have a LOT of experience with this on post-1954 69As. At about the same time Winchester grooved the receiver to accept tip-off scope mounts (around 1954), they swept the bolt handle to the rear. This made it look more classy, similar to the handle on the amazing pre-64 Model 70 centerfire rifle.

Problem was, that lifting the bolt handle over time caused the bolt handle to twist in its mount, overriding the staking that held it tight. On the older bolts that had a straight bolt handle, lifting the bolt did not introduce a twisting effect.

The solutions are many. Easiest is to get some RED LocTite and squeeze some into the junction between the handle and the base. Be sure to let it set for a day or so.

Next easiest is to get some JB Weld and do the same thing.

Harder is apply solder to the junction.

Or take the bolt to a good gunsmith and have him re-stake the handle in several spots around the junction.

One other problem with the earlier 69As was that the pin that anchors the mainspring plug in the bolt and sleeve tends to "walk" out if its hole, usually to the right. It's simple enough to tap it back in flush with the sleeve, but one gets weary of this over time. The later 69As (I don't know the time frame), had a recessed section in the pin into which the mainspring seated, and these pins would not walk. It's a little more difficult to remove and re-insert the pin after completely disassembling the bolt, but it removes that annoyance. Although I have not done it, I suppose the center section of an earlier pin could be filed down slightly to achieve the same effect.

Hope this helps.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My 69-A is as you described in your first post. I believe it is a 1935 production. I inherited it from my Dad, who bought it in early 1941 from a Pawn Shop for $7. I have the original receipt. On December 8th of the same year he enlisted in the US Navy, so it sat in Grandpa's closet for a few years unused.

If I ever have to sell some guns, that will be the second last to go. The last to go will be Dad's Parker Double 12 gauge, that he bought from the same pawn Shop for $9 in 1939. It's a 1915 model and I have the original receipt for that one as well.

My life goal now is to tell all these stories to my Grandson so he can appreciate them when they are passed down to him.

I have a scoped 69A down in my safe. It was my first rifle and went everywhere with me! It’s really a great ride and with the scope was really accurate.
Somehow my father got it and somehow I just adopted it and it became mine. To be honest with you I don’t even think he knows I still have it!

Great pics and stories. Back when guns were MADE with real Quality!!

John,

The Red LockTite sounds like the best approach - I think it would be tough getting JB Weld into the joint. But the LockTite should wick its way into the gap just fine.

By the way, this rifle doesn' have the tip-off mounting grooves in the receiver so I'm thinking it was made in 1954 or earlier.

When I disassembled the bolt for the first time I had looked at the NRA's Firearms Assembly section on the Winchester 69A. It has a blow-up drawing that shows how to deal with the two-diameter "Breechbolt Sleeve Pin". That saved a lot of aggravation!

Thanks for the help!

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I recall an ad for the M-69 in the Boy Scout manual about 1955.

Bet they don't show guns there now.