rpbcps Posted December 28, 2025 Report Share Posted December 28, 2025 (edited) In the future, I am looking at diversifying from my usual interest, Thompsons. So, I have been reading up on this board, about the BAR. I found the attached BAR, manufactured by Winchester, for sale in the UK, hence it is deactivated. The A2 being hand stamped, I presume indicates it was an original 1918 that was modified to A2 Specs during WW2. The serial no. leaves me a little confused, 100428. What serial no. did Winchester begin with their initial production? As well as on the top of the receiver, under the manufacturer's details, are the BAR serial numbers marked elsewhere? Appreciate any help with this information. Richard Edited December 28, 2025 by rpbcps Added images Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dillinger Posted December 28, 2025 Report Share Posted December 28, 2025 Interesting Richard. Any BAR experts on here who can enlighten us a little? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted December 28, 2025 Report Share Posted December 28, 2025 Richard. The numbers assigned to WRA were 64,001-200,000, but they only made about 28,000 rifles. Ser no only stamped on receiver. most parts stamped with a small (w). Gun is a WW2 upgrade. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dillinger Posted December 28, 2025 Report Share Posted December 28, 2025 52 minutes ago, jim c 351 said: Richard. The numbers assigned to WRA were 64,001-200,000, but they only made about 28,000 rifles. Ser no only stamped on receiver. most parts stamped with a small (w). Gun is a WW2 upgrade. Jim Excellent knowledge thanks Jim 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted December 30, 2025 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2025 On 12/28/2025 at 9:34 PM, jim c 351 said: Richard. The numbers assigned to WRA were 64,001-200,000, but they only made about 28,000 rifles. Ser no only stamped on receiver. most parts stamped with a small (w). Gun is a WW2 upgrade. Jim Jim, Appreciate that information, it clarifies things for me. The serial numbers -V- the number of weapons manufactured, was confusing me. My wife says I am easily confused. 😟 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inertord Posted December 30, 2025 Report Share Posted December 30, 2025 On 12/28/2025 at 4:34 PM, jim c 351 said: Richard. The numbers assigned to WRA were 64,001-200,000, but they only made about 28,000 rifles. Ser no only stamped on receiver. most parts stamped with a small (w). Gun is a WW2 upgrade. Jim I believe that Winchester manufactured 47,123 total between 1918-1919, with 27,000 delivered prior to the end of WW1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted December 30, 2025 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2025 (edited) Inertord, Thankyou for that information, it is appreciated. So SN 100418, would have been produced in 1919 I guess. Richard Edited December 30, 2025 by rpbcps Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted December 30, 2025 Report Share Posted December 30, 2025 If you want a true WWII look I would recommend removing the carry handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted December 30, 2025 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2025 24 minutes ago, RoscoeTurner said: If you want a true WWII look I would recommend removing the carry handle. Looking at pictures online, I note many WWII BARs in the Pacific Theatre, had their bipods removed too, I guess to lighten the weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inertord Posted December 31, 2025 Report Share Posted December 31, 2025 6 hours ago, rpbcps said: Inertord, Thankyou for that information, it is appreciated. So SN 100418, would have been produced in 1919 I guess. Richard Yes 1919 end of production, last 11,000 guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted December 31, 2025 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2025 (edited) 12 hours ago, inertord said: Yes 1919 end of production, last 11,000 guns. Thankyou. All the best for 2026 Edited December 31, 2025 by rpbcps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dillinger Posted December 31, 2025 Report Share Posted December 31, 2025 Richard so how did we arrive at the manufacturing year of 1919, I’ve read this thread several times but Im confused.I must be missing something. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJX Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 On 12/30/2025 at 6:34 PM, rpbcps said: Looking at pictures online, I note many WWII BARs in the Pacific Theatre, had their bipods removed too, I guess to lighten the weight. Yes, a retired Marine with lots of World War II experience told me they would routinely remove the flash hider and butt plate as well as the bipod to save weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68coupe Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 12 minutes ago, JJX said: Yes, a retired Marine with lots of World War II experience told me they would routinely remove the flash hider and butt plate as well as the bipod to save weight. I think a simple butt plate would have been much better. Somebody's silly idea that Uncle Sam wasted money on. The shoulder rest is not only silly, it's uncomfortable to use. Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 14 hours ago, John Dillinger said: Richard so how did we arrive at the manufacturing year of 1919, I’ve read this thread several times but Im confused.I must be missing something. JD Happy New Year Paul, Deduction only, from information given by Jim, "The numbers assigned to WRA were 64,001-200,000"; and the information from Inertord: "believe that Winchester manufactured 47,123 total between 1918-1919, with 27,000 delivered prior to the end of WW1". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dillinger Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 7 hours ago, rpbcps said: Happy New Year Paul, Deduction only, from information given by Jim, "The numbers assigned to WRA were 64,001-200,000"; and the information from Inertord: "believe that Winchester manufactured 47,123 total between 1918-1919, with 27,000 delivered prior to the end of WW1". Roger that I get it thanks Richard 👍 JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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