Make: Winchester

Model: 1903 Deluxe

Serial Number: 58577

Year of Manufacture: 1911

Caliber: .22 Winchester Automatic

Action Type: Semi-Automatic Takedown with Tubular Magazine in Butt Stock

Barrel Length: 20” Round

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed and screwed to the barrel.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece deluxe checkered walnut with a capped semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and sheet steel buttplate. There is a crack on the left side of the grip and a smaller fracture on the right side of the grip at the right end of the tang. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the steel buttplate. There is a ding in the toe of the buttplate that has pressed into the wood and resulted in a tiny chip. There are compressions and minor scratches throughout. Overall, the stocks rate in Good Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows general operation wear. The finish on the barrel is strong but the receiver has thinned all around with some of the finish remaining on the sides in splotches. There is thinning on the leading edges and on the muzzle. There are a few small nicks on the top edges of the receiver. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good Condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The takedown works as it should. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Winchester’s Model 1903 was their first semi-automatic rifle to be chambered in a .22 rimfire cartridge, but the need for consistent ammunition for proper function led them to chamber the rifle in their own proprietary caliber known as .22 Winchester Automatic. The Model 1903 was designed by Thomas Crossley Johnson, and around 126,000 were made over its production run from 1903-1932.

This Deluxe Winchester Model 1903 Rifle was made in 1911 and is in Very Good Condition. It features a 20” barrel, 75% of its original blued finish, elegant two-piece deluxe checkered walnut stocks with beautiful grain, fit, and finish and a capped semi-pistol grip (there’s a crack on the left side of the grip, a smaller fracture on the right side of the grip at the right end of the tang, and a ding in the toe of the buttplate that has pressed into the wood and resulted in a tiny chip), a takedown that works as it should, clear markings, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and some erosion. The Model 1903 was the first in a long line of Winchester self-loading rifles, and this deluxe example would look right at home in a well appointed gun room.