Winchester 74?

SP45

Prewar gun in 22 short threaded for suppressor. Has proof marks. I was told that some of these guns were used by the resistance in France eft and provided by the U.S. Any thoughts???

rufe-snow

European proof marks are quite destinctive. Either describe them in detail. Or post close-up photos. At least you will be able to identify, country the 74 was sold in.

Compared to our laws, ( USA ), concerning suppressors. In many European countries, they are freely sold and available.

I'm not sure if the 74's were serial numbered? Perhaps those destined for overseas sale were? Give partial serial number,if there is one? One of the Winchester folks. Might be able to date it?

TRAP55

quote:In 1942 the U.K. issued approximately 500 of these to the civilian defense forces or Auxilary Units ( The A.U., Churchill's Underground Army) for use as sniper rifles. Modified with a artillery scope and a silencer, these rifles were meant to be used for disruption in case the Nazis invaded.
If it has Brit proofs, you can research it here:
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/

SP45

Thanks for the link but I can't find this rifle on that site. Gun has British proofs BM, BP, NP on the right side of the barrel as well as 22S. Marked on the right side of the receiver and right side of the barrel in small letters is "notenglishmake". On the left side of the receiver and barrel is BNP. Stamped in the stock is 1257. Must be an inventory or stock number. There is a pin through the receiver which holds a brass deflector in place. The barrel is bright blue and the receiver matte finish. The serial number dates it to 1940.

rufe-snow

This is the article from the British site, that Trap55 referenced.


From the article. It appears to me that the 74's utilized by the Brits, were chambered for the .22 LR cartridge. Rather than the .22 short, though.








WINCHESTER SMALL-BORE RIFLES in the SECOND WORLD WAR (1939-1945)

Other Winchester small-bore rifles were supplied to Britain in the Second World War under the American "Lend Lease" programme, in which arms and other military equipment were provided by the U.S.A. on what was effectively a 'Sale or Return' basis. Arms not retained post-war were to be returned, and those kept were to be paid for over a period of time. It is understood that repayment, in whatever 'quid pro quo' form finally agreed, has only very recently been completed, sixty years after the end of the War.

Of particular note, amongst those .22 RF rifles imported, were Winchester 74 semi-automatics. It has been suggested that, amongst a variety of other American manufactured telescopic sights as sold with these rifles by Parker-Hale pre-war, a number of these rifles were fitted with the No.42 straight-sighting telescope, which 'scope was more usually utilised for artillery work, and the rifles moderated with a silencer manufactured, in a batch of 660, by Parker-Hale in March 1942, (see "British Small Arms of WWII" - I.Skennerton). The same reference book indicates that sufficient rifles were possibly not available until acquired via Parker-Hale in mid August of that year, all previous Winchester imports being only in batches of a few tens of numbers. Thus, rifles so configured seem unlikely to have seen the light of day until later in 1942.


These rifles were supposedly intended for use, by specially trained Home Guard underground units, in the event of an invasion of the U.K. by the German forces; their work was expected to be akin to that undertaken by any disruptive guerrilla force, harrying the enemy and assassinating senior officers or important administrators should the opportunity arise. (see also the Lee-Enfield Rifle No.4T). Veterans of this secretive organisation confirm the use of these rifles in various configurations, and mention the the more likely anticipated usages to include the elimination of guard dogs and sentries, as well as the necessary and practical task of supplying fresh meat to members concealed in their secret "OB" hideouts (Operational Bases).

The official designation for such components of this force were the "Auxiliary Units" of the British Resistance Organisation. This Organisation was the brain-child of Brigadier Colin Gubbins M.C. (Maj. Gen. at close of hostilities) who was one of the formative number in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in 1940, and later became its Executive Officer (CD).

A Junior Officer of the Dorsetshire Regiment latterly described the purpose of these Auxiliary Units as follows:

" The gist of it was that each county along the coast of the U.K. would have its private army of approximately 500 men who would live in underground hideouts , which would be stored with food, ammunition etc., - wait for the invasion to pass over them, then emerge from their Operational Bases causing havoc to the enemy's lines of communication". *



"DESCRIPTION: The Sniper's Rifle is a specially configured .22 calibre Winchester, Model 74 Rifle. The weapon is fitted with a silencer and powerful telescopic sight.

PURPOSE: The Sniper's Rifle is intended to provide special forces personnel with a weapon capable of inflicting a lethal wound at a range of up to 100 yards.

Length without silencer ........ 44"

Length with silencer ........ 52"

Ammunition ....................... .22LR

Magazine capacity ........ 14 rounds

TRAP55

SP45, the Brits used a date proof to tell you when it was brought into country too. Look for the crossed swords with a numbers and letters.