Winchester Model 72
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| Winchester Model 72 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Winchester Repeating Arms Company |
| Unit cost | $18.40 in 1944 |
| Produced | 1938-1959 |
| No. built | 161,412 |
| Variants | Sporting type sight standard model; peep sight standard model; Gallery model |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.75 lb (3 kg) |
| Barrel length | 25 in (640 mm) |
| Cartridge | Standard model.22 Short, .22 Long or .22 Long Rifle; Gallery model .22 Short |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Feed system | Tubular magazine with 20 Short, 16 Long and 15 Long Rifle cartridges interchangeably. |
| Sights | Open rear sight, post front sight. Grooved for scope mount |
The Winchester Model 72 was a bolt-action .22 caliber rimfire rifle introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1938[1].
Design and Production[edit]
The rifle sported a tubular magazine, Winchester's Speed lock action with a side-lever safety, a round 25 in (640 mm) long barrel, and a sporting-style walnut stock with a pistol grip and semi-beavertail fore-end. None of the rifles were marked with a serial number.
The rifle was introduced March 4, 1938, and was the only rimfire bolt-action rifle with a tubular magazine in the company's history -- a style previously produced by several other firms. The first rifle was delivered April 18, 1938.
Along with a choice of open or peep sights, bases were attached to the barrel for one of two Winchester telescopic sights -- a 2.75-power scope and a 5-power scope. Rifles with scopes were offered with or without iron sights, and scopes were shipped detached from the rifles. The scopes were discontinued in 1941[2].
The rifle was one of 12 new models of .22 bolt-action rifles introduced by Winchester between World War I and World War II as competition increased in the U.S. civilian marketplace for rifles of various purposes. While production was a respectable number, the rifle sold less than half as many copies as the less-expensive Winchester Model 69, the 69A variant of which shared several parts and the same Speed Lock cock-on-open bolt action. The largest difference between the two models was the magazine, with the Model 69 using a 5-round or 10-round detachable box magazine instead of the Model 72's tube magazine. The Model 72 was discontinued due to poor sales in 1959[3].
Variants[edit]
The Standard model was offered in two configurations, one with a Winchester 75C front sight and No. 32B open rear sight; and the 72A with a covered 97B front sight on a ramp, and an 80A rear peep sight. The two versions had different stock shapes, with the open sight model having a drop at the comb of 1.5625 in (39.69 mm) and a drop at the heel of 2.5625 in (65.09 mm); and the peep sight model having a drop at the comb of 1.625 in (41.3 mm) and a drop at the heel of 2.6875 in (68.26 mm). Both stocks had a length of pull of 13.5 in (340 mm). The rifles with peep sights were sold at a slightly higher price.
The rifle was also offered with a Gallery model, chambered in .22 Short with an open rear sight. The Gallery Special was introduced Feb. 10, 1939, and was canceled in 1942 during World War II as production of weapons for the military increased.
References[edit]
- ↑ The Gun Digest 1944 First Annual Edition. The Gun Digest Company, Chicago 24, Illinois. 1944. p. 31. Search this book on
- ↑ Henshaw, Thomas (1993). The History of Winchester Firearms 1866-1992. Winchester Press. p. 119. ISBN 9780832905032. Search this book on
- ↑ Wilson, Robert (2015). Winchester: An American Legend. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 236. ISBN 9781510709294. Search this book on
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