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I recently picked up this Winchester 1903 22 automatic serial number 23017 and was interested in hearing yall’s opinion on the gun. I know the stocks have been touched but I was unsure about the metal finish.
Thanks
It appears to be reblued, but I cannot say that with 100% certainty. It also appears to have the wrong rear sight as it is covering some of the logo. Most I have seen, and mine, have the 40-A rear sight. Cannot make out the serial number, but it appears that some of the numbers have been buffed. Also, the bolt is bright, and at one time was blued. Need to know the serial number as the early rifles had a bronze firing pin and should not be fired unless you change it to a steel one. The bronze ones are prone to breakage. Mine is # 8493 and was in the PR room, 1-05-04. Factory letters are available on some of these. Big Larry
Positively reblued, and the barrel has been changed. If the serial # is in the 23,000 series the barrel lettering is incorrect. It would read model 1903 and wouldn’t have the “electric” Winchester. Another thing, it does have the proof marks on both receiver and barrel. That wasn’t standard on 22’s until 1906 and yours was manufactured in 1905. Makes me think yours was returned to the factory for repairs. as it doesn’t have the “circle P” mark indicating a mail order barrel. If you kept your price @ $600 or below you should have a very nice “shooter”. To bad the ammo prices are so high, but an occasional box or two out the end of the barrel shouldn’t break anyone’s bank.
Best,
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
Positively reblued, and the barrel has been changed. If the serial # is in the 23,000 series the barrel lettering is incorrect. It would read model 1903 and wouldn’t have the “electric” Winchester. Another thing, it does have the proof marks on both receiver and barrel. That wasn’t standard on 22’s until 1906 and yours was manufactured in 1905. Makes me think yours was returned to the factory for repairs. as it doesn’t have the “circle P” mark indicating a mail order barrel. If you kept your price @ $600 or below you should have a very nice “shooter”. To bad the ammo prices are so high, but an occasional box or two out the end of the barrel shouldn’t break anyone’s bank.
Best,
Erin
It may break his bronze firing pin. Big Larry
Big Larry said
It may break his bronze firing pin. Big Larry
Larry,
If this rifle was returned to Winchester for repair, and a new barrel installed, I suspect that the firing pin would have been replaced as well.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks guys for confirming my suspicion. I’m incline to believe that it was returned for refinishing and, the firing pin has been replaced with a steel one. I did get a box of ammo with the gun but I doubt I shoot it, because I also picked up a Model 63 with it. May try and move it along and pick up something else instead.
What was the reasoning for using a bronze firing pin over a steel one?
Big Larry said
It may break his bronze firing pin. Big Larry
If it breaks, so be it. Replace it with a proper one…………. I seriously doubt a “defective” part replaced with a proper one will affect any collector value, especially on a refinished one.
Erin
joe45c said
Weren’t the Butt stocks on the 03’s of Crescent design?
Yes they were, It was probably fitted with a 63 butt stock when it went in for R&R.
Best,
Erin
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