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December 19, 2006
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Mystery solved, read below.
I have this mysterious Winchester marked device that I have no idea what it is. Hope some more inclined Winchester Specialists know what it might be.
Any thoughts?
It is marked:
"PAT. FEB. 3 1903 WINCHESTER TRADE MARK"
Some dimensions: 4 1/2" long, 3/4" wide, 3/8 (0.375)" OD of each tube, 0.325" ID of 98% of each tube and 0.250" ID of last 2% of each tube.
Depressing that thumb piece places a block/tab in each tube near the one end. The opposite end has that smaller 0.250" diameter at the very end.
A .22 RF goes in the large end OK and stops at the small end but those tabs when depressed don’t keep it in the tube.
Any thoughts on what it might be?
Thanks much.
Jolly
Researched the US Patent web site and found the patent. It seems to be a loading tool for the Winchester model 1903.
Tried loading some Win .22 Auto cartridges in it and it works fine. Holds 4 ctg’s in each tube.
Patent number 719807 and invented by Thomas C. Johnson who I believe is a common name associated with Winchester.
Now we know.
Jolly
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January 19, 2013
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I know a guy who is a huge Winchester collector (but no firearms) he might know if its from the tool or hardware co.
You might also look for Winchester patents in 1903. I am told you can do that on line.
December 19, 2006
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Hi Mark,
I will try to do a patent search and see if I luck out.
And if you’re friend has any idea what that thing is, I would be thankful for the info.
Thanks for your note.
Jolly
December 19, 2006
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Back to the top with the mystery solved.
Jolly
Still don’t understand how it works on the Model 1903 as it loads through the stock. ❓ T.C. Johnson did design the model 1903 🙂
December 19, 2006
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Road King,
I believe you just pull the inner rod out the back of the butt plate to expose the magazine tube and just let them slide in.
There is an illustration in the patent that sort of shows it and the patent claim sort of explains it.
I believe you, and anyone else, can look at the whole patent by Goggling the US Patent Office and navigate your way to see the patent # 719807.
If that don’t work, I can probably find a way to email it to you.
So must be T. C. Johnson invented the rifle and had in mind a clever way to load it. Neat.
Jolly
January 19, 2013
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Glad to be of service. In some of my other hobbies the guys are always doing patent searches to find details on something or other.
December 19, 2006
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I found some more info on that M1903 loader in my 1915 Winchester catalog so thought I would post some pictures of that part of the catalog.
Jolly
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Has the spring on the specimen in the photos been bent in some manner that keeps it from functioning as intended?
And would there be scratches on a stock if that loader were used any number of times?
December 19, 2006
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Waterman,
Yes, I believe you are correct. As in the picture, the flat spring is bent upward so the cartridges would fall out unintentionally.
The new owner took out the two screws, removed the spring and bent the it to the configuration it should be and now everything works fine. Good eye by the way.
I suspect if one wasn’t careful, the stock could get scratched when using the loader.
We might possibly hear from the new owner.
Jolly
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