doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com .22 Rifle ? OT

Hi All
I have a model 61 WINCHESTER Pump .22 rifle.I purchased it at a Farm Auction.

The action had a scope mounted on it, and there was not much time for inspection before the auction started.

When I got it home, I pulled the scope and scope mount off the top of the action, and to my dis-appointment ,I found several other holes that had been drilled for other scope mounts.


What I would like to do is have all the holes plugged and the reciever re-blued. Is this something that most smiths do?

The current scope mount covers all the other holes, so you cant see them. There are two holes that have been plugged on the SIDE of the action from a side mount scope base, but they used of all things ALUMINIUM for the plugs,, then used a black marker to color!!

Other than this,, the rifle is in GREAT condition!

Do you guys think this repair would be cost prohibitive for the value of the gun? I know they are semi valuable, but would it be worth it?

Advice welcome!

Thanks
Gooser

The Win 61 is only semi valuable when in high original condition or new in box. The holes have already reduced that value considerably. Most any competent gunsmith could fill the unwanted holes with a bolt of appropriate steel and reblue the action. But the holes will always be there upon close examination. Possibly a little hi tech welding could make them virtually invisible. Apparently you have an earlier one without the dovetail on top for scope mounts so any scope mount will still violate the original condition. When you are done you will have a gun worth about $600 - but they are great little rifles. I grewup with one in my hands and still have it 63 years later. Only gun in my safe that is never going anywhere else.

I agree with Jerrys post above but I thought I'd add the following. The quality of these rifles is unparalled and I hate to think what one would cost if it were made today.
If this were mine I'd probably get the unecessary holes welded and just keep the ones for the mount of my choice. The ones on the side of the receiver may in fact be original as many 22s were drilled in this manner for the old Weaver "N" mount. This was sort of the standard mount before they began milling a standard dovetail slot in the top.
Jim

Gooser,
I would simply order a small assortment of the blued steel 'Blanking screws' from Brownells or buy them from your local gunsmith, if he has them in stock. Then install them and go about enjoying your new acquisition. You have what is a diminishing return conundrum, meaning that it is not going to be cost effective to worry with welding and refinishing from a return perspective. There is also the worry about who is going to do the work and how they will polish the receiver and treat its original edges, &c. in the process of doing the refinish .. it could very easily end up worse than it is now, much worse. A proper fit blanking screw [some are counter sunk, some slightly proud; some heads are flat, some convex] is not all that unattractive and if you want to use a scope at some point you would easily have that option still at hand. Lastly, there is the possibilty that the other holes on the side [and possibly the top as well] were for a receiver sight and not another scope mount. Typical progression being OEM open iron sights to receiver sight to scope. Just some thots.

I'll go out on a limb & say that it will retain its value better w/blanking screws than welded up & reblued. The moment its finish is non original any collector value just went south.

They are neat .22's that beg use.

Blackdog, you are getting good advice above.

tw, The Model 61 was factory drilled and tapped for a tang peep sight. I have a very early, first year gun and as you said it is a very neat little rifle.

Jim, I don't think drilled the side of the receiver for side scope mounts. If they did, it was special order.

I bought a high condition Model 63 at an auction for $176.00. It was drilled on the side for the N mount. Without the holes, it would be a $950 gun and I wouldn't own it. I'm very happy with it and the 3/4" Redfield in the N mount. Don't throw good money after bad. Enjoy your 61 the way it is. There is almost nothing you can do to it to increase its value. By the way, the N mount is ugly, but it is cheap and can be installed with thumb screws or similar. The Redfield is about the only high quality scope to fit the 3/4" N mount, but they are not impossible to find. They look great on a Model 61.

Your right, Bill, don't dismiss a Model 61 or 63 because of drilled holes. Use the scope mount as is or fill the holes with plug screws and enjoy some great rifles at reasonable prices.

Accept the gun as it is, and use the screws to fill the holes. All good advice. I repair objects for living, and can tell you in spades: 'The enemy of good is the longing for better'.

The effort hardly ever even breaks even, and often loses ground. I learn that lesson everyday, on some little thing or another.

I own a high condition Skeet configured VHE Parker 20 gauge with four 5-40 holes drilled in the rib and extension rib. I will probably end up screwing something into those holes before I would attempt a visible repair that would cause more questions than solutions. I have owned the Parker and the Model 63 for years and am very happy with the guns and the prices I paid for them. Murphy

I have been operating off the impression that the receiver has "several other holes" rather then just a couple extra. Hence my recommendation to consider having them welded. To me a bunch of screws in a small area is going to look messy but I guess this is up to ones own personal taste.
Whatever enjoy this rifle for what it is. A great 22 from times past that will probably never be duplicated again.
Just to add a little extra info here; I have a Remington Fieldmaster Model 121 from the same era and this is another excellent quality 22 pump.
Jim