Now some will say that a gun like this never came from the Winchester factory in New Haven. The Winchester Model 69A was always pretty much a plain Jane - no factory options.

I thought so also. But that was before I handled, examined and bought this specimen. I'd date it to 1954 pretty much exactly because it had both the earlier straight bolt handle and it was grooved for scope mounting - a 1954 change.

It has a flawless satin finish, checkering on both the forearm and grip area, and the pistol grip has a black plastic factory grip cap.

Here's an overall picture:


Here's a shot of the grip cap. I at first questioned the use of a Phillips screw, but notice that it's blued. The cap is carefully fitted.


Here's the left side of the gun. Notice the immaculate satin finish and the flawless factory-style checkering.


Here is the right side. Notice the straight bolt handle - and yet the receiver is grooved. The curved handle and the grooving both took place in 1954, but not concurrently. So I believe my educated guess of 1954 manufacture is accurate.


Here is the top of the receiver. It's not marked in any special way, but note that there is one hashmark on the on the top of the breech, and two on the right side of the breech opening. These were applied before bluing. To me this was quite unusual, but perhaps it was the factory way of identifying a special gun.


The factory barrel markings are standard for this gun and this year.


A young man had advertised the gun on the internet. He said that he bought it from the estate of an old gentleman who lived near the Winchester factory in New Haven. The old man's family said he special ordered it from Winchester. Now this is unusual, but in the old days Winchester would bend over backwards to provide any special features the customer specified. Evidently the old man recalled those old ways, and convinced the factory to make those modifications.

The then-current owner did not live too far from Arizona. He drove over so I could personally examine the gun before I made the decision to buy it.

There is no doubt in my mind that this was a factory job. The gun appears unfired in every respect. So do I have the only factory "Deluxe" Model 69A? I don't know, but it's the only one I have ever encountered.

Let me know your thoughts on this. You should be able to click on any of the pictures for a larger image.

Best to all,

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I can't answer any of your questions but whether it's factory original or not it really looks nice . A vintage blued steel and walnut .22 rifle.

Before the War Dad had bought a Parker double for deer hunting and a 69A for target shooting. After he married Mom they were kept in cases in his closet. Every once in awhile he would bring them out for me to look at them.

The Winchester was the first gun I ever shot. His had a peep site so I hit the bullseye every time. Of all the firearms I have shot over the years, this is the one that I cherish most.

(when the Parker got too heavy to carry, he switched to a S&W Model 57. I have that one as well, but that's another story)

Nice looking Winchester.

First look and I'm only looking at the pics of course, but I think it's an aftermarket doll up job.
When? Who?? I have no idea. Lots of talented people around and the project is a pretty simple one.

The grip cap appears to be a repro of the Winchester small size standard grip cap. I don't recall when those first started to be made/offered. 80's? maybe

Phillips screw. Burn the cadium plating off the common hardware type with a Burnz=o=matic torch or on Mom's gas stove burner. Wire brush and blue it. Now you have a Blued Phillips wood screw.

The only Phillips screws I've seen in a Winchester grip cap or Butt Plate are on the aftermarket buttplate on the aftermarket Skeet Grade butt stock w/ aftermarket Winchester checkering on one of my Winchester 42's. The screws are still cadium plated however.

Plenty of people can checker the simple pattern.
Factory pattern should be 20LPI. But again that's easy to copy as well.
The border was usually a rounded shape. Not just a double cut line with the flat wood inbetw the cuts.

FWIW, the work on your rifle is 'too good' IMO for Winchester Factory work of the era.
The work done at that time was farmed out, not done in the NewHaven facility.
Most all of it was done by a husband and wife team of Harold & Mildred Arthur.
Harold was a former Winchester employee (worked in the 'wood room' at Win up to WW2). Went to freelanse checkering with his wife after the War and up to the 70's.
They did work for many Ct firearms mfg companys.

Also took in some single jobs as well that they lavaished more time. They could afford to!
As I recall them telling me, Winchester paid them around $3.50 for a butt stock and forend 'set' checkering on a Winchester Model 21 standard grade in those early yrs after WW2.

The hash marks, at least the one on the top of the rec'v looks 'thru the bluing' in the pic.
Might be a mark for (re)placement of a scope when remounting.
The two on the loading port edge I've seen those marks before but more of them on rifles that had needed the use of the jack knife blade laid edge down right there to lever stuck case out of the chamber.
Only two marks,, don't know.

Original stock finish was a spray Lacquer. The softened look to the final finish Winchester achieved was with the addition of a very small amt of wax (carnuba I think it was) to the lacquer. A toner was also sometimes added to gently color the finish.
A very easy to mix, apply and get a nice looking 'Factory' like appearance. even now.
Some are using some of the rattle can sprays available now with remarkable results . These quality DIY spray finish products were not available 15 or 20 yrs ago.

There are hundreds (if not more) 'Deluxe Grade' Winchester .22's out there in the Model 61, 62, 62A & 63.
I'd guess 99.9% of them are aftermarket upgrades done by talented people just fancying up the gun,,,Or just plain fakes done as counterfit Factory work to fool buyers.

There are no Factory records on any of this stuff. My feeling is that this rifle is someone's aftermarket upgrade to a very nice looking rifle done with the Factory Deluxe style in mind.

JMO of course.

Very nice!

It's a very nice looking rifle that I'd be happy to own, but I don't think it's Winchester factory work.

Winchester had the model 75 sporter as a factory rifle. (Similar action) I think the stocks could be purchased seperately. Not sure about yours, other than it's a beautiful rifle!

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PTLAPTA!

Thank you for sharing that beautiful rifle. We may never know its exact provenance and origin, whether from factory (my hunch) or a fine craftsman.

This we do know, it is absolutely gorgeous, beautifully made, beautifully preserved, and a delight to the eye. And, no doubt - in the hand to admire and on target, should you choose to shoot it.

I also have a Winchester Model 75 sporter, vintage of 1956 (the Model 69A is from 1954). Here is a comparison of the two rifles. Click on either picture for a larger image. The checkering on the grip area is almost identical. The satin finish on both stocks is identical.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I am not saying that yours is one. But it was fairly common for gun show shysters to doll up standard Winchesters into Deluxe models. Normally it would be higher end guns like model 70s or model 71s. But I could see somebody do it to a single shot .22 if they thought it would be worth their while.
There was even a guy working East coast shows some years ago. his angle was that he was making new "factory original" barrels in obscure chamberings to put on older Winchester model 70s to make them sell for more.

Actually, I figured that if I wanted a "dolled up" Model 69A I'd just make one myself. So I did - here is the result!

John


(click for larger image)

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

It’s no 10/22 but it’s nice……. Seriously that’s a beautiful rifle. I’d shoot that and show it off often. The mystery of it origins make it even better.