Just this.
I apologize for posting my comments re. the Winchester M12 solid rib & contributing to taking this thread further off track. I would however like to see a definite answer to the question of if there were some Model 12's manufactured with the rib integral with the barrel as Madis indicates and in what timeframe this was the practice. Perhaps this could be discussed in a new thread.
My thoughts on the M61 are a little different. I'm not wild about the full length rib idea. I would probably do a low 1/4 rib to match the contour of the receiver & with integral cuts for something like Talley QD rings so that a low powered intermediate eye relief scope could be mounted on the barrel along with open sights, bbl band for front sling swivel (would need to incorporate the hanger for the magazine tube) & banded ramp front sight along with nice wood & checkering. I might also shorten the tubular magazine to just in front of the slide as well.
I once saw a Model 71 Winchester .348 WCF that was set up in a similar manner & I thought it was very nice looking as well as a very functional & nice handling rifle & yes I realize we are talking about very different rifles & purposes.
