more 1941 Winchester information

[RCS]

While reading Canfield's M1 book, I found an interesting section about the gas lock screw. Springfield sent a letter dated Aug 7th
1941 to Winchester. Springfield had sent a blueline print of revision to the gas lock screw to Winchester dated June 21, 1941
this change showed the addition of a countersink (bevel) on the front end of the lock screw. This change is for the purpose of
eliminating burrs. Springfield inquired as to whether or not this change will be incorporated in manufacture and if any change
in price or delivery.

This would indicate that Winchester was not using the beveled gas lock screw up to August 1941 and probably for a period
after the Springfield letter.

my photos show different patterns and second photo shows beveled and non bevel lock screws

[Jersey Devil]

Very neat observation, Robert. Thanks for sharing it here, along with your photos!

[RCS]

If you are restoring an early Winchester, it will enhance the value by using original springs and the very evasive Winchester follower rod. These can
be difficult to locate and have been faked as far back as 2003. Photos show original springs and the Winchester follower rod in s/n 100931

[Jersey Devil]

Early Winchesters are a really interesting area of Garand collecting. As much as I love Gas Traps and pre-war Springfields, pre-war Winchesters are really fascinating to me. One particular part that looks so nice on early Winchesters are their stocks. There's something about WRA stocks that really make the rifles flow. Maybe it's their profile?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge here, RCS.

[RCS]

Not all the Winchester stocks share the same profile. The WRA RS stock has the profile of the late SA SPG with two equal size holes and solid butt
plate. Only the Winchester style of machining the inside of the front barrel channel is the same as the later Winchester stocks. Both the curve of
the pistol grip and trigger guard recess are like the SA SPG. The WRA WB double box stock incorporated the changes that most are familiar with
through the end. I could never find a overlap or "cross-over" stock between the two, maybe Rick B. has seen one ?

photo shows some WRA RS stocks

[Jersey Devil]

Great info, Robert. Thanks for sharing it here.

Another neat area of WRA collecting, in my opinion, is the trigger group. Aside from the hammer with the tooling hole and the early EO-era safety, are there differences in the other firing mechanism parts (i.e., trigger guard, housing)?

I remember seeing a conversation, maybe here, about the trigger / sear assemblies being different between the really early WRA rifles and later ones.

Any info would be appreciated!

[RCS]

Canfield's Winchester 123666 is on the Rock Island Auction. Cartouche is the WRA double box WB. Records indicate August 30th 1941 as serial number
stamping date