MI2600
Member
I always assumed that barrel length was measured from the bolt face to the muzzle, as used by ATF. I also believed '73 Winchester rifles were either 20" or 24".
I'm currently replacing the stock and forearm on a recent '73 acquisition in 38-40, finally filling my set of all three calibers...I'm ignoring the .22 short which is unobtainium. In the process, I noted there was no evidence of an ammunition tube hanger tenon near the muzzle. The only tenon is under the forearm cap. I then reasoned that maybe only the 24" barrels had the forward hanger. In any event, I measured the barrel at 19 1/8"...?
Everything about the rifle appears original. There is an indication that the rifle was at some point part of several because of an "11" on the former bott stock. Can anyone explain the missing 3/4" of the barrel?
I'm currently replacing the stock and forearm on a recent '73 acquisition in 38-40, finally filling my set of all three calibers...I'm ignoring the .22 short which is unobtainium. In the process, I noted there was no evidence of an ammunition tube hanger tenon near the muzzle. The only tenon is under the forearm cap. I then reasoned that maybe only the 24" barrels had the forward hanger. In any event, I measured the barrel at 19 1/8"...?
Everything about the rifle appears original. There is an indication that the rifle was at some point part of several because of an "11" on the former bott stock. Can anyone explain the missing 3/4" of the barrel?