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It means 'Winchester Proofed'! Around 1903 or there abouts, all barrels installed by the Winchester factory started were stamped with a 'WP"within an oval on top of the barrel at the breech end just before the receiver, it was added the the top of the receiver where the barrel screws into it around 1905 when all Winchester's were stamped in both places. If a gun smith outside of the factory ordered a new or different caliber barrel from the factory to replace the 'original' one, it would be shipped with only a 'P' stamped onto the barrel instead of the 'WP'. This is a sure sign that the barrel on any Winchester was a replacement, and though a "Winchester" barrel it was not installed by the factory. Additionally, any rifle returned to the factory for barrel replacement AFTER 1905 would have one installed with the 'WP' on it, irregardless if the gun was originally made BEFORE 1903/05. For collectors this is an obvious indicator that the barrel is a replacement IF the serial number indicates it was manufactured BEFORE 1903. Hope this clears things up for you....................Regards, Marty

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Q: What means Winchester proof-mark W over P?
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