Need help dating a Winchester 74

[Lee Barner]

I can't find my little pocket size Winchester ser nr book. I bought a win 74 .22 short only this morning and would like to know what year it was made. serial # is 32720. thanks in advance. lee

 

[alwslate]

According to my pocket size Winchester serial number book your rifle
was probably made in 1940. The first year for the mod 74 was 1939
and I have two made in 39 that are for the short only. Many older
Winchesters will have the date of manufacture stamped on the bottom
of the barrel in two digits only, right in front of the receiver. The
numbers are small and may take a bit of looking but are usually there.
They do not always agree with the serial number books but are usually
within 1-2 years. These numbers may indicate the date the barrel was
made, not the shipping date of the gun but no one seems to know for
sure.

 

[g8rb8]

I would confirm 1940.

If you go to the below Winchester web site and click on the link that looks like a piece of paper with tiny dates and serial numbers it will open up a pdf file you can use to look for serial numbers dates. It's not the most user friendly way to look up Winchester serial numbers but it's not too bad and it's the "official" Winchester Repeating Arms web site.

Year of Manufacture information made available by Winchester Customer Service Dept. - Winchester Repeating Arms Article

Page 32 of the document states for the Model 74:
1939: 1-30890
1940: 67085 (last serial # fro that year)

 

[Lee Barner]

thanks a million guys. I guess my win book is with my browning book. haven't seen it in years. did find my colt book. lee

 

[jlrhiner]

I concur on 1940.

I use this;http://www.winchesterguns.com/suppo...e-Dates-by-Year----2012-Scanned-Documents.pdf