Make: Winchester

Model: 1907

Serial Number: 11432

Year of Manufacture: 1908

Caliber: .351 Winchester Self Loading (.351 W.S.L.)

Action Type: Blowback Operated Semi-Automatic with 5-Round Removable Magazines

Barrel Length: 20"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a W.F. Sheard W.33 brass beaded blade dovetail set to a base integral to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed into the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The forend has losses at the bottom-rear edge and a repaired crack in the bottom-front, extending back and up on the left side. The buttstock has cracks around the front edge of the wrist and small losses at the toe. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The finish is pooling in some areas. The checkering ranges from well defined to smoothed, but visible. The LOP measures 13 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear, scattered residue from the stock's new finish, and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is on the barrel over the forend, there is wear on the barrel toward the muzzle-end. The receiver has mostly worn or gone to a light patina. There are some light nicks, scuffs and small scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a total of two 5-round box magazines, each marked “-.351 CAL-” on the bottom.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1907 is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic rifle produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company beginning in 1907 with production ending in 1936. It is fed from a 5 round capacity, detachable box magazine located immediately forward of the trigger guard. The only cartridge offered by Winchester as a factory chambering in the Model 1907 was the .351 S.L., pushing a 180 gr. bullet out of the barrel at about 1850 fps., more than twice the energy of a modern .357 Magnum shot out of a pistol. The Model 1907 followed the semi-automatic models 1903 (rimfire) and 1905 (.32 or .35 Win), preceding the model 1910 (.401 Win.), all designed by Thomas Johnson, a key designer for Winchester who also designed the Model 12 shotgun. France ordered 2,800 of these rifles from Winchester during WWI and would modify them to fire fully automatically and equip their troops with larger magazines for trench raiding.

This is a fairly early example, made in 1908. It is a Deluxe model in Good condition, retaining about 35% original metal finish and and strong mechanics. The stocks have been refinished and show some of the cracking that plagued Winchester's Self-Loading models. This is a decent example of an early semi-auto rifle, and probably has a lot of history if it could be told. This rifle should be of interest to Winchester collectors as-is and would make a worthwhile restoration project. Please see our photos and good luck!