This is a draft of a coming article, placed here for comments. As always, the picture and text are copyrighted, but you're welcome to download them for your own personal use.
John
Winchester Model 75 rifles
In the late 1930s, the management people at Winchester Repeating Firearms Company were faced with a dilemma. They had been building a really outstanding .22 target rifle (the Model 52) since 1919. It was one of the unquestioned leaders in the small bore target rifle world. However, it was not really designed around younger shooters who were just beginning to compete in rifle matches, or for use by the military and ROTC units. It was a heavy rifle (about 10 pounds), and expensive. There was a void that needed filling – a moderately priced target rifle expressly made for beginning shooters, yet accurate enough to win matches when used by more experienced competitors. Winchester had been producing an excellent mid-priced .22 sporter (the Model 69A) since 1937, and it had a number of advanced features. Winchester’s engineers were accordingly tasked with crafting a great yet relatively inexpensive target rifle, building it around the exceptional Model 69A speed-lock action.
The result of their efforts was the Model 75. Its action was identical to that of the Model 69A, but the rifle had important differences that would give it a leg up in competition shooting. First, the bolt was carefully headspaced to very tight tolerances on each individual rifle. The bolt was then numbered to the receiver with an electric pencil. The longer 28-inch barrel was rifled to match specifications for the .22 long rifle cartridge only. Then it was lead-lapped for uniform smoothness from breech to muzzle. The substantial stock was shaped for optimum comfort in the prone position. Overall length was 45 inches. The weight was held to a moderate 8 pounds, 10 ounces, a bonus for younger shooters for whom the 10 pound Model 52 was hard to keep up for any length of time in the standing position. The trigger was single stage and crisp, like that on its Model 69A predecessor. It was also adjustable to some degree for weight of pull. The sights were excellent, with the micrometer adjustable and extendible Winchester number 84A rear, and the hooded 99A up front. The position of the front sling swivel was movable fore and aft, and each rifle was provided with a 1 ¼” width leather sling similar in type to the standard military M1907. The five-round magazine was the same as was used on the Models 69, 69A and 52. A single loading adaptor similar in shape to a standard magazine was available. It provided a flexible loading platform for individual cartridge feeding if desired. Like the Model 52, a forward barrel band was provided that was adjustable in tightness for optimum accuracy with varying makes of .22 match ammo. The barrel was drilled and tapped on top to accept target scope bases. In its early years, the rifle could be furnished with an 8-power scope of Winchester make. In all, it was a worthy match rifle in its own right, yet it was way more affordable than the flagship model 52.
Production began in 1938, and the Model 75 first appeared in Winchester’s 1939 catalog. Advertising in that year touted both the Model 52 and the Model 75, but began to feature the Model 75 by itself later as being more affordable for school rifle teams and military budgets. “Equip Your Team to Win Within its Budget Limit” was the lead-in line in ads for the new Model 75. Later advertisements for the 75 following WWII stressed that this was a “full man’s size target rifle,” perhaps to appeal to returning veterans interested in target shooting.
Following the example of the Model 52’s “sporting rifle” offspring, Winchester also introduced a Model 75 sporter in the 1939 catalog. This was designed for handier field use. It measured 40.7 inches overall, had a shorter, slimmer 24-inch barrel, a hand-checkered lighter-weight stock, and one-inch sling swivels. The action and barrel received the identical care lavished on its big brother target rifle. The stock had a specially designed “shotgun” butt with a corrugated steel buttplate. It had a pistol grip with a hard rubber cap and a semi-beavertail forearm. The wood was thoroughly-seasoned black walnut, and it was waterproofed and nicely finished. The 5-round magazine was the same as was used in the Models 69, 69A and both Winchester target rifles. A 10-round magazine was available for an additional charge. This projected below the bottom of the stock. The buyer had a choice of the Winchester number 32 open rear sight on the barrel, or a Lyman number 57-E micrometer receiver sight. The front sight was a metallic bead on a ramp integral with the barrel, and included a sight cover. Weight was an easy-to-carry 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
In the later years of production, Winchester could and did provide many types of rear sights on the target guns by request. The later standard was the Redfield 75HW rear, coupled with Winchester’s 105A front sight. The target model illustrated here, made in April 1949, has this combination. Around 1954, both the sporter and the target were modified with grooved receivers (to accommodate tip-off scope mounts) and swept-back bolt handles. The sporter model illustrated was manufactured in January 1956, and is topped with a precision scope. I have shot this particular gun, and it’s extremely accurate. I’ve had some experience with the target guns also, having shot them in both high school and college Army ROTC. They performed very well in spite of their playing second fiddle to the superb but expensive Model 52s.
The Model 75s sold well over the years, with 88,715 of both types made until they were dropped from production in 1958. All were serial numbered from 1 to 88715 on the right side of the front portion of the receiver. The U.S. military services purchased about 16,000 Model 75 Targets before and during World War II. The only differences between these and their civilian counterparts were a blade front sight and some subtle variations in stock dimensions. Later examples were Parkerized rather than blued. None had any U.S. property markings. Technical manual TM 9-280, printed by the War Department in March 1944, covered these, other commercial rifles and Springfield Armory-produced target rifles. Very detailed information on the Winchester 75 is provided. Originals and reprints are available. Many of the military’s Model 75 target guns were released for sale as surplus after WWII through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship program.
In 1948, retail list price for a standard target model 75 was $53.50, and the open-sighted sporter was listed for $47.05. By comparison, the more pedestrian Model 69A was then $24.00.
While the premium Model 52 targets and sporters are in high demand, their asking prices are almost astronomical. The Model 75s are certainly more affordable, with the sporters bringing double or more over the usual prices of the targets on the market. I’m not sure of the comparative numbers of each type made, but I can tell you that I’ve noticed way more targets than sporters. Most of the targets have seen plenty of use, but the sporters usually survive in pretty good shape. Personally, I’d rather not lug around a high-cost Model 52 sporter weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces. For less money, the 5 ½ pound 75 sporter makes way more sense for the field, and it’s got more accuracy than most folks can use. To quote a Winchester ad from 1955, “The Model 75 Sporting is widely known for its superior effectiveness as a small game and pest rifle and as a moderately priced, thoroughly reliable and handsome arm for all-around .22 rim fire use. Receiver grooved for easy attachment of scope mount.” I think that sums it up nicely.
The Model 75s, both target and sporting, have often been referred to as “The poor man’s Model 52s.” I prefer to think of them as more affordable, yet entirely suitable for their intended tasks. I especially like the 75 sporter. If ever a rifle was superbly qualified for field use, this one was, and seeing one of these lightweight beauties rings my chimes every time. It’s a definite classic to look for!
(c) 2016 JLM
John
Winchester Model 75 rifles
In the late 1930s, the management people at Winchester Repeating Firearms Company were faced with a dilemma. They had been building a really outstanding .22 target rifle (the Model 52) since 1919. It was one of the unquestioned leaders in the small bore target rifle world. However, it was not really designed around younger shooters who were just beginning to compete in rifle matches, or for use by the military and ROTC units. It was a heavy rifle (about 10 pounds), and expensive. There was a void that needed filling – a moderately priced target rifle expressly made for beginning shooters, yet accurate enough to win matches when used by more experienced competitors. Winchester had been producing an excellent mid-priced .22 sporter (the Model 69A) since 1937, and it had a number of advanced features. Winchester’s engineers were accordingly tasked with crafting a great yet relatively inexpensive target rifle, building it around the exceptional Model 69A speed-lock action.
The result of their efforts was the Model 75. Its action was identical to that of the Model 69A, but the rifle had important differences that would give it a leg up in competition shooting. First, the bolt was carefully headspaced to very tight tolerances on each individual rifle. The bolt was then numbered to the receiver with an electric pencil. The longer 28-inch barrel was rifled to match specifications for the .22 long rifle cartridge only. Then it was lead-lapped for uniform smoothness from breech to muzzle. The substantial stock was shaped for optimum comfort in the prone position. Overall length was 45 inches. The weight was held to a moderate 8 pounds, 10 ounces, a bonus for younger shooters for whom the 10 pound Model 52 was hard to keep up for any length of time in the standing position. The trigger was single stage and crisp, like that on its Model 69A predecessor. It was also adjustable to some degree for weight of pull. The sights were excellent, with the micrometer adjustable and extendible Winchester number 84A rear, and the hooded 99A up front. The position of the front sling swivel was movable fore and aft, and each rifle was provided with a 1 ¼” width leather sling similar in type to the standard military M1907. The five-round magazine was the same as was used on the Models 69, 69A and 52. A single loading adaptor similar in shape to a standard magazine was available. It provided a flexible loading platform for individual cartridge feeding if desired. Like the Model 52, a forward barrel band was provided that was adjustable in tightness for optimum accuracy with varying makes of .22 match ammo. The barrel was drilled and tapped on top to accept target scope bases. In its early years, the rifle could be furnished with an 8-power scope of Winchester make. In all, it was a worthy match rifle in its own right, yet it was way more affordable than the flagship model 52.
Production began in 1938, and the Model 75 first appeared in Winchester’s 1939 catalog. Advertising in that year touted both the Model 52 and the Model 75, but began to feature the Model 75 by itself later as being more affordable for school rifle teams and military budgets. “Equip Your Team to Win Within its Budget Limit” was the lead-in line in ads for the new Model 75. Later advertisements for the 75 following WWII stressed that this was a “full man’s size target rifle,” perhaps to appeal to returning veterans interested in target shooting.
Following the example of the Model 52’s “sporting rifle” offspring, Winchester also introduced a Model 75 sporter in the 1939 catalog. This was designed for handier field use. It measured 40.7 inches overall, had a shorter, slimmer 24-inch barrel, a hand-checkered lighter-weight stock, and one-inch sling swivels. The action and barrel received the identical care lavished on its big brother target rifle. The stock had a specially designed “shotgun” butt with a corrugated steel buttplate. It had a pistol grip with a hard rubber cap and a semi-beavertail forearm. The wood was thoroughly-seasoned black walnut, and it was waterproofed and nicely finished. The 5-round magazine was the same as was used in the Models 69, 69A and both Winchester target rifles. A 10-round magazine was available for an additional charge. This projected below the bottom of the stock. The buyer had a choice of the Winchester number 32 open rear sight on the barrel, or a Lyman number 57-E micrometer receiver sight. The front sight was a metallic bead on a ramp integral with the barrel, and included a sight cover. Weight was an easy-to-carry 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
In the later years of production, Winchester could and did provide many types of rear sights on the target guns by request. The later standard was the Redfield 75HW rear, coupled with Winchester’s 105A front sight. The target model illustrated here, made in April 1949, has this combination. Around 1954, both the sporter and the target were modified with grooved receivers (to accommodate tip-off scope mounts) and swept-back bolt handles. The sporter model illustrated was manufactured in January 1956, and is topped with a precision scope. I have shot this particular gun, and it’s extremely accurate. I’ve had some experience with the target guns also, having shot them in both high school and college Army ROTC. They performed very well in spite of their playing second fiddle to the superb but expensive Model 52s.
The Model 75s sold well over the years, with 88,715 of both types made until they were dropped from production in 1958. All were serial numbered from 1 to 88715 on the right side of the front portion of the receiver. The U.S. military services purchased about 16,000 Model 75 Targets before and during World War II. The only differences between these and their civilian counterparts were a blade front sight and some subtle variations in stock dimensions. Later examples were Parkerized rather than blued. None had any U.S. property markings. Technical manual TM 9-280, printed by the War Department in March 1944, covered these, other commercial rifles and Springfield Armory-produced target rifles. Very detailed information on the Winchester 75 is provided. Originals and reprints are available. Many of the military’s Model 75 target guns were released for sale as surplus after WWII through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship program.
In 1948, retail list price for a standard target model 75 was $53.50, and the open-sighted sporter was listed for $47.05. By comparison, the more pedestrian Model 69A was then $24.00.
While the premium Model 52 targets and sporters are in high demand, their asking prices are almost astronomical. The Model 75s are certainly more affordable, with the sporters bringing double or more over the usual prices of the targets on the market. I’m not sure of the comparative numbers of each type made, but I can tell you that I’ve noticed way more targets than sporters. Most of the targets have seen plenty of use, but the sporters usually survive in pretty good shape. Personally, I’d rather not lug around a high-cost Model 52 sporter weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces. For less money, the 5 ½ pound 75 sporter makes way more sense for the field, and it’s got more accuracy than most folks can use. To quote a Winchester ad from 1955, “The Model 75 Sporting is widely known for its superior effectiveness as a small game and pest rifle and as a moderately priced, thoroughly reliable and handsome arm for all-around .22 rim fire use. Receiver grooved for easy attachment of scope mount.” I think that sums it up nicely.
The Model 75s, both target and sporting, have often been referred to as “The poor man’s Model 52s.” I prefer to think of them as more affordable, yet entirely suitable for their intended tasks. I especially like the 75 sporter. If ever a rifle was superbly qualified for field use, this one was, and seeing one of these lightweight beauties rings my chimes every time. It’s a definite classic to look for!
(c) 2016 JLM
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Seeing all the pictures I can't help myself-here is a picture of my 75 Sporter with the Noske mount!
