The small shank receivers were usually supplied only with the smaller barrels of #1 and #2 sizes since the large shank barrels have threads larger than the #1 & #2 barrel breech ODs. Actually I've seen some Win factory #2 barrels with large threads and others with small threads, go figure! The later small shank receivers often had a small groove milled into the top like most flat-side low wall receivers, to allow a low line of sight with the necessarily lower front sight on the smaller-dia barrels. The few early 3-digit receivers that I've seen all had the octagon top whether thick side or thin side, and they all had breech blocks with the transverse firing pin retainer pin instead of the later vertical firing pin retainer screw. Your rifle obviously was at one time fitted with an SST, judging by the adjustment screw hole in the trigger and the slot for the fly in the hammer. All the early receivers had a third hole visible in the top of the tang for the exposed end of the early longer sear spring screw so yours is proper. The later receivers had this hole shorter and blind, with the later & shorter screw's end hidden in the blind hole.
IMO your tang has been replaced or else the Cody factory records are in error. The #3 barrel description doesn't match the small receiver shank or the present barrel configuration and the SST setup isn't mentioned although it's apparently old and contemporary with the rest of the rifle. Now, I'd be the first to admit that Winchester didn't always follow their own customary practices in assembling these rifles, but there are simply too many discrepancies between the factory records and the present configuration for me to believe that the info matches the rifle.
If that rifle belonged to me, I'd reline the barrel and restore the SST operation and just enjoy it. Possibly fit an additional barrel in a more usable caliber for plinking or competition but retain the original barrel for nostalgia and/or eventual restoration if a future owner desires. Either that or trade the rifle for a more usable item such as a large-shank high wall action or rifle. In any case I personally wouldn't spend a lot of money for a high-dollar 'restoration' to a supposedly original configuration that can't be verified by a Cody letter.
It looks like a nice rifle, you shouldn't have any trouble with whichever route you decide to take. Let me know if you need help with the SST or the reline, I have a few parts and a little knowledge.
Good luck, Joe
Last edited by J.D.Steele; 11/10/08 08:32 AM.
