Winchester introduced the Model 72 in the Spring of 1938, it was essentially like the earlier Model 69 except for a higher capacity tubular magazine that extended beneath the barrel rather than the box magazine of the Model 69. Winchester manufactured the Model 72 from 1938 to 1942 when production was discontinued so manufacturing efforts could be directed towards wartime needs. Production was started up again after the war and it carried on until 1959 when the model was discontinued. Standard Model 72 rifles came equipped with a rear peep sight, rifles could also be obtained with open or 'sporting' sights. Winchester's designation for the sporting sight rifles was 72A. Total Model 72 / 72A production reached 161400 rifles. - Gunsamerica.com, description of a Winchester Model 72 they had for sale.
The Winchester Model 69 is a bolt-action .22 caliber repeating rifle first produced in 1935 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. It was marketed as Winchester's mid-priced bolt-action rimfire sporting rifle, positioned above inexpensive single-shot rifles such as the Model 68 and beneath the prestigious Model 52 - Wikipedia
