Winchester Model 62A

Description:
Winchester Pre-64 Model 62A Pump-action rifle in .22 WRF. I have but two things to say about this firearm: 1) It's the stangest, most questionable gun, from a provenance perspective I've owned; But 2) It's absolutely the most enjoyable, and one of the most beautiful guns I've ever had the pleasure and joy to have in my possession and shoot. On point 1, where do I start? This Model 62A is an amalgam of a Winchester Model 62A frame, but with a replacement barrel, a Winchester Model 90 (1890) barrel (23"). I've see quite a few "62A" listings here which are presented for sale in this manner. I don't know alot about this gun's history beyond that. Based on the two areas where matching serial numbers are present on the gun's frame (see images), the frame was at one time ostensibly part of a complete Model 62A rifle manufactured in the last stretch of 62A units which began in 1958. The matching serial numbers on the gun's frame point to this manufacture date. Things are not that simple for dating the Model 90 barrel. Based on the Winchester Rifle literature I've read, The last year of manufacture for the last of three variants of the Model 90 rifle was 1940. So, the latest this barrel could have been manufactured was in 1940, and of course the earlier and very early Model 90 barrels were octagonal so I venture to say barrel on my gun could not have been from a really early Model 90. The main thing I want every reader to realize is exactly how wonderfully the frame and the barrel fit, and how incredibly well this gun cycles and shoots. It all fits together like an exceptionally fine swiss watch; and since it's a take-down gallery gun, you get to experience this incredible compatibility and fit every time you "take it down" and put it back together. It's just remarkable. Everything about this rifle is just smooth as glass. It shines like a diamond and it is such a joy to pick it up, rack the pump and let the hammer down to half-cock; to rub gun oil on it and polish it. The wood is just fantastic on this gun too, with really two exceptions which you can see in the images, including a pin prick on the side of the butt stock,and a small nick on the top of the slide against the barrel also seen in the images, but this nick is barely visbile given where its located. For all its foibles and mystery this rifle is just a treasure in my opinion. I really love the .22 Winchester Rimfire ("WaRF") round as well. In the images, the image showing three .22 shells, the WaRF is in the middle and the "New Kid in Town", the .22 magnum, is on the right. The "Model 90" and the "62A" each came in .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 WRF. I for one would prefer to have the latter, as this round, for a long time was the bad boy of rimfire ammunition, but over the years rounds like the .22 Mag, and even some of the ambitious high-speed .22 LR super-rounds have taken its place. But the .22 WRF is better in my opinion, and after all, the .22 WRF and the Model 1890 debuted alongside one another in that year in the last decade of the 19th century, so..I wouldnt want to own a Model 90/Model 62(A) in any other round, let's put it that way. WaRF rounds are not cheap especially if you need to order them online beacause the shipping cost will outbid the box, but things are expensive, what the hell else is new. I ordered a 50-round WaRF box from incredibly wonderful Cabela's recently for like $16 but the shipping was also $16 so there you go. I took this rifle to a local outdoor range in Houston very recently and I just had a blast (pun/no pun) shooting it; I shot the better part of a 50-round box of standard .22 WMR rounds at a 15-yard target and the gun handled extremely well and shot remarkably accurately, notwithstanding my inherently shaky nature and the fact I was shooting from a freestyle stance that day. I was told by the legendary Mike Clarke of Houston's Collectors Firearms fame, the gun's been reblued. Ive no reason not to trust his opinion.  But thinking back about this incident,  I'm not sure if he said the entire gun has been reblued or just the frame, because in my opinion the barrel looks to be the original bluing. I've owned many pre-64 winchesters of all models and types, including 5 pre-64 Model 70, and the barrel on this listing is just beautiful and just look at the incredible roll mark on it in the images. It's just incredible. As for which part of this gun has been refinished, honestly, at this point does it really matter? This is a Frankenstein gun what difference does it make?!  This gun is obviously not a collector-grade firearm. But its a fantastic shooting rifle with great looks and incredible functionality! Buyer pays for insured shipping.

Rifle Caliber: .22 WRF
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 62A
Serial Number: 573972
Barrel Length: 23
Bore Info: .22 WRF
Condition: great
Metal Condition: great
Wood Condition: great
Bore Condition: great
Barrel Type: smooth
Action: pump
Stock: wood
Finish: blue
Manufacture Date: 1958

Price: $795.00