Winchester Model 74 Sporting Rifle, .22 LR, 24-Inch Barrel, 1942 WWII-Era Production
Built in 1942, this Winchester Model 74 Sporting Rifle represents the company’s first budget-minded autoloading rimfire. Designed by Edwin Pugsley and produced from 1939 to 1955, the Model 74 combines a 24-inch barrel, 14+1 buttstock-housed tubular magazine, and reliable blowback action in a full-size platform that saw limited clandestine use by Britain’s Auxiliary Units during WWII. Collectors appreciate these early, pre-grooved receivers for their clean lines and historical context.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – shows some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Rifling: Good – intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor scratching, scuffing, and blemishing are present on the blued metal surfaces and walnut stock.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 74 Sporting Rifle (.22 LR, manufactured 1942)
Produced in the United States during the WWII era, this rifle carries serial number 115162, placing it firmly within early wartime manufacture. Early examples like this one lack receiver scope grooves, reflecting its original open-sight design philosophy.
The 24-inch round barrel teams with a 14+1 tubular magazine concealed in the buttstock, giving shooters extended rimfire capacity without altering the rifle’s classic lines. A top-mounted sliding safety offers intuitive control for right- or left-hand users.
The walnut stock features a finger-groove fore-end, straight comb, and semi-pistol grip, all finished in a subdued satin oil that enhances grain without glare. Combined with its full-size 14.5-inch length of pull, the rifle balances comfortably for off-hand shooting.
Open iron sights consist of an unhooded blade front and drift-adjustable U-notch rear, providing a simple, durable sight picture that complements the rifle’s role as a dependable small-game and training arm.