*SOLD* 1960 Winchester 61 .22 WMR Blue 24" -COLLECTIBLE MAGNUM MODEL- Incredible

Bryant Ridge's Analysis:

The Winchester Model 61 was an American slide-action .22 caliber rimfire rifle manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1932 to 1963. It was Winchester's first hammerless slide-action .22 rifle and was introduced to modernize the company's smallbore lineup alongside, rather than as a direct replacement for, the older exposed-hammer Model 62. In the early 20th century, Winchester rifles such as the Model 1906 and Model 62 were highly popular in the slide-action rimfire market. However, by the 1910s and 1920s, competitors like Remington and Marlin began introducing hammerless designs, such as the Remington Model 12. These newer rifles offered a more streamlined appearance and better protection from dirt and debris entering the action, which contributed to their rising popularity and gradually reduced Winchester’s market share. By the 1930s, in the midst of the Great Depression, firearms manufacturers—including Winchester—were aggressively competing to maintain sales. Consumer preferences began shifting away from older exposed-hammer designs, which were increasingly viewed as outdated. 
 
In response, Winchester developed a new, more modern hammerless pump-action rifle to appeal to evolving tastes and to better compete with rival models. This new design became the Model 61, introduced in 1932. Marketed as a versatile, all-purpose sporting rifle, it was later also promoted as a "boy's rifle" to target younger shooters. The Model 61 enjoyed steady, though not dominant, commercial success, with total production reaching approximately 343,976 units before it was discontinued in 1963. The Winchester Model 61 magnum was similar to the Standard Model 61 but was chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) cartridge.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Winchester 
Model: 61 Magnum 
Serial: 303176
Date of Manufacture: 1960 (According to the Winchester Arms Collector Association serial number lookup)
Caliber: .22
Finish: Blue 
Barrel Length: 24"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Adjustable Notch Rear 
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut Buttstock with Ribbed Walnut Forearm
Action: Pump-Action 
Markings: Standard 

Jun 20th 2025 Bryant Ridge

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