mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-Three years ago I found a sweet Winchester 1907 semi-auto rifle and made the decision to add the Model 1903 that it's based on to my bucket list. After looking at hundreds of examples I settled on this particular example. It's not the prettiest but I fell in love with the honest condition. The low 4 digit SN puts production squarely in the first year: 1903.
-The TC Johnson designed Model 1903 is chambered in a proprietary cartridge: .22 Winchester Automatic Rim Fire. At a time when .22 RF was using action clogging black powder the smokeless powdered .22 Win Auto guaranteed proper operation. Later, after .22 RF went smokeless as well, Winchester stopped production of the 1903 in the early 30's. It was replaced by the new Model 63, chambered in .22 RF. These days you can still find new .22 Win Auto ammo though it's not cheap at around $18 per box of 50 rounds.
-The Model 1903 was such a success as Winchester's first commercial semi auto rifle that it spawned a series of center fire carbines in the Models 1905, 1907 and 1910. The slick sided action, using a cocking plunger mounted under the barrel, made for perfect scabbard carry. Ultimately there were two versions sold: standard and deluxe. The deluxe version sported different grades of fancy wood with checkering available in straight or semi-pistol grip configurations. Engraving was also offered as a deluxe option.
-This very early example doesn't sport the cross-bolt safety added at around SN 5000. It also has an after-market Marbles front and rear sight. I found a vintage Marbles tang sight for it which is in-bound to me.
-The 10 round tube magazine is loaded by withdrawing the magazine tube rod and dropping rounds in through the magazine tube cutout in the right side of the stock. Push on the action cocking rod and Bob's your uncle.
-This rifle has a take-down feature allowing you to pack it away for tidy transit.
-The TC Johnson designed Model 1903 is chambered in a proprietary cartridge: .22 Winchester Automatic Rim Fire. At a time when .22 RF was using action clogging black powder the smokeless powdered .22 Win Auto guaranteed proper operation. Later, after .22 RF went smokeless as well, Winchester stopped production of the 1903 in the early 30's. It was replaced by the new Model 63, chambered in .22 RF. These days you can still find new .22 Win Auto ammo though it's not cheap at around $18 per box of 50 rounds.
-The Model 1903 was such a success as Winchester's first commercial semi auto rifle that it spawned a series of center fire carbines in the Models 1905, 1907 and 1910. The slick sided action, using a cocking plunger mounted under the barrel, made for perfect scabbard carry. Ultimately there were two versions sold: standard and deluxe. The deluxe version sported different grades of fancy wood with checkering available in straight or semi-pistol grip configurations. Engraving was also offered as a deluxe option.
-This very early example doesn't sport the cross-bolt safety added at around SN 5000. It also has an after-market Marbles front and rear sight. I found a vintage Marbles tang sight for it which is in-bound to me.
-The 10 round tube magazine is loaded by withdrawing the magazine tube rod and dropping rounds in through the magazine tube cutout in the right side of the stock. Push on the action cocking rod and Bob's your uncle.
-This rifle has a take-down feature allowing you to pack it away for tidy transit.