WRA Barrel

[Jersey Devil]

This WRA barrel gages a 4 on both ends. Any thoughts on it otherwise? I think there's some difference in the size of the pads between early and later pads, right??
Also, in case this matters, the drawing number is readable from the "op rod" side of the barrel when viewed from above.
Thanks in advance for any info!

[TJT]

Brian,
what is your major concern? Technically a 4 wouldn't be a very good barrel accuracy wise but one won't know for sure until one tries it. I've seen some barrels that normally would have been relegated for tomato stakes shoot lights out. Conversely, I've seen "good" barrels that couldn't shoot their way out of a wet paper bag. And yes, early WRA barrels have a larger (longer) pad.
Jon

[Jersey Devil]

Jon,
Thanks for your reply.
Do yu think this barrel is in fact an early one?
I can't tell if the pads are "larger" or not. I'm not much of a Winchester guy, so just looking for some thoughts on the barrel's features.
Thanks again!
--Brian

[TJT]

I'll have to check my resources and get back to you for sure but off the top of my head I think it is a later war barrel. If I remember correctly, the pad and spline cuts are the same length on early barrels.
Jon

[TJT]

Brian,
Couldn't find any pics but here is the verbal description from Canfield's tome.
Three distinct types of "pads" around the gas port have been noted:
1) early WRA barrels were of the "short pad" variety and the splines did not extend beyond the pad.
2) some "medium pad" WRA barrels have been observed.
3) later barrels were of the "long pad" variety, and the splines did extend beyond the pad.
So, it looks like the barrel in question is a late made barrel.
Also, that barrel has been refinished at some point in its life. The threads on an unrefinished barrel would be in the white, not park'ed.
Jon

[RCS]

I have some photos posted on 08-14-15 under JackC1425 post about Winchester pads. I have some original rifles with original barrels and had posted the photos showing the measurements of the pads and splines. The long splines are early. There is also a photo of a Winchester 1.2 mil showing the original barrel with measure. The drawing number can be either side but most believe the operating rod side is more acceptable ?

Many years ago the GCA Newsletter (as it was called then) had a survey on Winchester receiver and barrel markings, after you completed this survey, you sent it to Dave Clark who compiled all this data yet never published it. I think certain data submitted may not have been taken from original examples and the data was tainted.

Can these photos be re-posted here ?

[TJT]

Shouldn't be a problem posting pictures. I use photobucket and it works fine.
Jon

[RCS]

they were already posted on this forum on 08-14-15. I will dig out another set and post them

[Jersey Devil]

Awesome info, guys......thank you very much for sharing with us.

I'll dig up those photos, Robert, and post them in this thread for reference purposes.

Thanks again!

[RCS]

Some photos that were posted on 08-14-15 showing some 1941 and a 1942 Winchester barrels with the pads and spline cuts.

WRA 102740 has the original receiver and still had the WRA bolt with round firing pin. Also a small import stamp on the barrel. Purchased around 1993
WRA 111709 has the original barrel and came from Calif around 2005, barrel has a TE 6.0 but a very nice bore
WRA 1.266130 has the original barrel and came from the CMP around 2002

[RCS]

can not get all the photos to upload ?

[Jersey Devil]

Are all of the photos in the original post, or are there more?

[Jersey Devil]

Post #2 here: https://www.m1garandforum.com/forum/...identification
Those are the same three pix that you posted in this thread. They all seemed to upload, but do you have more that aren't uploading? I haven't had a photo uploading problem for months, so not sure what's going on if they're failing to upload on my end??? Please advise, and thanks as always Robert!

[RCS]

It is my problem, just do not know how to work things. I was attempting to upload the WRA 1,2266130 photo of the barrel splines to show all three barrels

[Jersey Devil]

Okay, feel free to email me any pix that are giving you problems. I can insert them into your post(s) if you'd like. Thanks again.

[Jersey Devil]

Since this appears to be a rather common WRA barrel, I've listed it for sale on the CMP Forum. Price is $360.00 shipped / insured.