Make: Winchester

Model: 06 Expert Grade

Serial Number: 585930

Year of Manufacture: 1919 / ATF Classification: C&R

Caliber/Gauge: .22 Short, Long, & Long Rifle

Action Type: Pump-Action (Slide-Action) Rifle, Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable elevation U-notch screwed into the barrel.

Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are wood, the buttstock has a straight comb, semi-pistol grip, and checkered hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The buttplate shows moderate wear. The furniture shows scattered pressure dings, scuffs, and scratches. Most notably, are two small dings on the bottom and left side of the buttstock. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are no cracks. This furniture rates in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The barrel shows thinning with some erosion on the crown. The magazine tube shows operational wear and scattered patina. The receiver shows lots of freckling and larger spots of oxidation. There is some moderate pitting on the receiver. The screw heads are unmarred and retain strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: A desirable, premium version of Winchester's classic slide-action .22, the Expert Grade carries the same compact, lively 20" barrel and takedown action as the standard Model 06 but was dressed with enhanced furniture, and improved overall fit and finish. The pump stroke retains the smooth, mechanical cadence characteristic of Winchester's early rimfire slide-actions, and the rifle's slim forend, tubular magazine, and exposed action bars give it the instantly recognizable profile prized by gallery shooters and small-game hunters of the era. The upgraded woodwork and refined lines of the Expert Grade elevate the rifle from purely utilitarian tool to a more polished sporting arm.

A 1919 production date places this rifle just after World War I, during a resurgence in civilian shooting and the golden age of American rimfire sporters. Winchester's Expert Grade offerings were tailored to shooters who wanted the reliability and versatility of the Model 06, especially its ability to chamber .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle, but with higher-end stock work and presentation. These enhanced variants represented the era's appetite for refined yet affordable small-bore rifles at a time when marksmanship clubs, galleries, and rural plinking were central to American shooting culture.