Is there evidence that any sporting rifles (by Winchester or anyone else) were actually made during most of WWII? Rifles in progress in Dec. 1941 were completed, and a few others were assembled from parts throughout the war as war production permitted, but it has been my understanding that few if any sporting guns were manufactured during that time (early 1942 to late 1945).
All guns and ammunition were scarce, and the few new guns available were sold only to those who could prove a special need. Shotgun shells were available, but metallic cartridges were hard to get and most dealers would dole them out a few at a time. I am not sure if there was any actual rationing system for ammunition; small amounts were made, but it just wasn't there for most commercial sale, as all the available brass, copper and powder was going to war production. (Even the penny was made for one year (1943) out of steel due to the scarcity of copper, and one critical factory's wiring was made from silver, loaned by the government out of its stockpile).
Jim