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September 30, 2021
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Can anyone shed light on the anomaly with the Model 1903 with no safety? I have one with a 4 digit #, made in 1903, with no button safety at the rear of the trigger guard. My other 1903’s are manufactured from 1904, on, and have the safety. I thought that the first year perhaps were not equipped with a safety, until I spotted one with a 3 digit #, definitely 1903 – but it has the button safety. Ideas…
November 19, 2006
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I’ve read the first 5000 were made without a safety. I’ve also read it was the first year production rifles didn’t have a safety. I don’t believe everything I read but I believe there were many early rifles that didn’t have a safety.
Do you know if the rifle in question has a bronze firing pin?
December 21, 2006
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Bob; I don’t know about the 1903 specifically but, most other models what occurs is sometimes an earlier ser# gun will be assembled way after a later #’d gun. I guess when they made and #’d receivers they went in to a bin and got picked out at random, it is not unusual to see 2-3 years or more discrepancy in the ser# application dates vs. assembly/ shipping dates, EG. ser#10,000 may be shipped 2-3 years before ser#4,000 etc.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
December 9, 2002
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Bob,
I wish I had an answer for the three digit serial number 03 rifle with the button safety on it. Maybe it was sent back to Winchester. According to Bert Hartman, in his Red Book, 4th edition, he states that you can send to The Cody Firearms Museum, for information and verify it from, #1-#39999. If nothing else maybe a phone call to Jessica, and possibly the information on the rifle in question can be verified if it was returned to the factory or not. It won’t say what was done to it, in all likely hood, but if it was returned, I would guess that’s what it was returned for.
This information was in my older notes on the Winchester model 1903. Mostly gathered over the years from fellow older collectors, as the information is approximate, and could stand to be verified and updated.
Total mfg. approximately 126,211, from 1903-1932, and being Winchesters first semi-auto .22 caliber rifle, using the .22 automatic ammunition only.
The model 1903, without the safety, on the top of the trigger guard, extending through to both the right and left side, was up to the serial number #5000, as Steve has stated.
Serial numbers #1-8441, mfg. in 1903. Therefore the information, assuming that the, “No Safety”, model 1903 was on the first models mfg. in 1903, until #5000.
Any discrepancies or updated information, is appreciated. It’s always been a little hard to find information on these. IMO!
Steve, I wish I knew more about the firing pin.
Anthony
November 19, 2006
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Anthony –
Here’s some information on the firing pin. Apparently they were using the bronze one well after the first 5000 rifles:
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-22-rim-fire/m1903-bronze-firing-pins/
December 9, 2002
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Thanks Steve,
I’ve added some more info. to my notes, and will try to verify as time permits, and more information develops and becomes available.
Anthony
December 31, 2012
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I have a nice M1903, # 8493, shipped 1-5-1904 that has the safety, and according to JWA, who looked it over, I was told to be careful shooting it as it has the bronze firing pin. Therefore, I do not shoot it, although I have a brick of ammo. Big Larry
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