Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Red W on a model 1400 20ga ???

Just pick up on sale site guy needed money for lawn mower repair. Got it home wow what a shooting gun. Red W is on bottom of pistol grip. Any info would be helpful or if you need more just ask. Just wanting more info like I do on all mine guns.

Thanks, Fred

As far as my feeble mind can remember, the "red W" meant nothing special. It was used during an era. I want to say like 1965 or so, possibly 1975. I believe it was only on shotguns. You used to see lots of later model 37 single shots with the "red W'.

Thanks, sbrmike

The big red "W" was placed on the pistol grip of model-70's as well.

A friend just showed me his 1970 vintage model 88 with the red "W" grip cap.

First one I had seen. How many do you think were made and in what caliber? Just wondering. My 1400 20ga. was made in 1965.

Thanks

They were on the Super-X model 1as well..

I have 4 Super-X Model 1's and had others in the past. None wore a Red W on the grip cap.


Perhaps the more recent Super-X's model designations that came out, that are a different gas system than the 1's. They also are a much better Semi than the original. Faster acting, cleaner shooting and more reliable mechanically.

I had a Model 1400 20 gauge, and it also had the red "W".

After I posted that I checked my Super X and my memory is off.. I lost the black screw cover and a buddy who worked at Winchester gave me a gold grip cap with the red w on it. Also a gold cocking handle and magazine cap. Lots of interesting Winchester hybrids here so close to New Haven.

The Red W was applied to pistol grip caps on many revised models in 1964. It was discontinued (changed to a scroll pattern) with the improvements of 1968.

I know this red W 20 ga has found it's home tagged for family gun. Thanks for all the replies.

1400 mkII 12ga
They are good shotguns.
I have ran about 300 rds thru mine with no hiccups.
Pawn shop one I found and refinished .
Fancy Winchester cap ( not red W)was jacked up.
Installed a old school berreta cap on it .
Got a couple small rub spots on barrel where I reshaped forearm contour.
That kinda bugs me a little but not enough to reblue the barrel.
Yet.........
Run it on the dove feilds starting sept 1.



Gakked a couple of squirrel,s with it back in Feb.
Mostly shot 5 stand with it so far.

Nice refinishing job on that 12. And meat on the table.

Just did some sanding and contouring of certain areas
Then a tru oil finish
Soften the sharp angle early 70,s lines and some selective removal in certain areas.
Stuck a .705 aftermarket choke on it
Truglo fiber optic bead, sims pad.
Polished the bolt to 2000 grit ,the old jeweling on it was pretty bad.

Detailed stripped down cleaning.

If ya ain't dropped your trigger assembly.
I did mine it looked the the munsters undusted fireplace mantle
Blast it completely out with a good oil based product turn it upside down let it drip for 10 or 15 mins
Repeat a couple of times.
Vids on complete take down and reassembly are out their.

Biggest PITA is getting the bolt finger bar cocking peice and plate assembly out and back in.
It screws right into the bottom of the bolt .
You will see it when ya drop the trigger assembly

Once you break it down and put it back together a couple of times
Its becomes easy.
But the bolt finger bar cocking peice will always be a PITA.