Hi John,
I acquired a Model 1910 last month. It appears to be a standard issue ser.# 8842 (1912). Forend had a hairline crack and the buttstock had a crack at the upper wrist at the tang. The toe had been broken off through the screw hole and crudely glued. I did a little cosmetic repairs to the three cracks and the are now acceptable to me. Apparently the rifle has been to Britain as it has British proofs on the barrel and bolt. The rear sight blade is a shallow “V”. I managed to get some 200gr. cartridges but have yet to fire it. Let me know if you want pictures.
Charlie
Thanks Charlie! Your gun is in the database as number 138 and is only the third rifle with definite British proofs. Could you please tell me what dates are stamped on the barrel and on the upper tang plus if the front and rear sights have been replaced to your knowledge or if there is any manufacturer’s name on them. I would like an overall photo (either side) and a photo of the British proofs for the record. Also, a range report once you fire your rifle.
Best, John
P.S. If you want to contact me directly my email is [email protected]
WACA No. 9886. Constantly learning about Model 1907 and Model 1910 Self-Loading Rifles.
Hi John,
Here are pix I just took. The front sight is a Lyman (bead is broken off). Not sure of the rear but you can see the patent date on the elevator. I have no idea if these are original. I have more pix but they are just to show the finish (somewhat freckled on the receiver) and the repaired cracks. I have not gone any further than to remove the forend. I don’t want to get into the bolt and springs if I don’t have to.
Charlie
AlanD,
i have data on 144 rifles. The earliest serial number is 12 and the latest is 20664. Nine of the rifles are definitely “Fancy” with 3 more that are questionable so the majority are “plain.” Quite a few of these rifles have been sold several different times since I started this. By far the most popular add-ons are rear sights and recoil pads. I have been busy over the last several months and so may have missed some for sale but now with the virus keeping us all at home, I should have more free time.
Best,
John
WACA No. 9886. Constantly learning about Model 1907 and Model 1910 Self-Loading Rifles.
Geez Darrin. I am sorry that I didn’t get back to you when you posted this. I entered your rifle in the database Months ago. It is number 147. We are only up to 154 rifles at this time. Lots of resales of rifles already in the DB.
best, john
WACA No. 9886. Constantly learning about Model 1907 and Model 1910 Self-Loading Rifles.
John here’s am article from NRA interesting but the numbers can’t be accurate because of missing paperwork.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Vince,
Thank you so much for pointing that article out! I had not seen it. Not sure where the author was getting his info but some of it I was unaware of, like the 12 rifles with 16 inch barrels going to the Baldwin Locomotive Company.
Best,
John
WACA No. 9886. Constantly learning about Model 1907 and Model 1910 Self-Loading Rifles.
John Lindly said
Vince,Thank you so much for pointing that article out! I had not seen it. Not sure where the author was getting his info but some of it I was unaware of, like the 12 rifles with 16 inch barrels going to the Baldwin Locomotive Company.
Best,
John
The author is Herbert Houze.
For what its worth the number of Model 1903 rifles purchased by the British government in WW1 is now through to be under 1,000. Although as the article states the true figure will never be known as there were a number of purchases in the UK direct from stocks held in by the trade in the UK, such as William Evans of Pall Mall. Very little information on these purchases now remains. The order in the Winchester archive which is mentioned by Houze of 500 rifles, is correctly quoted. This order was placed direct with Winchester through the auspice of the Inter Allied Purchasing Commission. However, a bit more digging in the Winchester files shows that this order was reduced to 250 from 500. Further evidence of this is a copy of the order in the large contract record ledgers of the Inter Allied Purchasing Commission, in College Park, confirming that the order was reduced from 500 to 250.
The records at Cody do show delivery of 120 Model 1907 .351 rifles to the UK during WW1. The file gives the mistaken impression that these were all used for war. This is not the case as a letter from the London Armoury Co being the UK agent for Winchester at the time, to the Ministry of Munitions in 1915 asking if they wanted any more Model 1907’s as these were now become available again, received a reply stating none were required.
So the real number of 1907’s used by the British air service is unknown but probably in the dozens only.
Regards
Alan
aland said
For what its worth the number of Model 1903 rifles purchased by the British government in WW1 is now through to be under 1,000. Although as the article states the true figure will never be known as there were a number of purchases in the UK direct from stocks held in by the trade in the UK, such as William Evans of Pall Mall. Very little information on these purchases now remains. The order in the Winchester archive which is mentioned by Houze of 500 rifles, is correctly quoted. This order was placed direct with Winchester through the auspice of the Inter Allied Purchasing Commission. However, a bit more digging in the Winchester files shows that this order was reduced to 250 from 500. Further evidence of this is a copy of the order in the large contract record ledgers of the Inter Allied Purchasing Commission, in College Park, confirming that the order was reduced from 500 to 250.
The records at Cody do show delivery of 120 Model 1907 .351 rifles to the UK during WW1. The file gives the mistaken impression that these were all used for war. This is not the case as a letter from the London Armoury Co being the UK agent for Winchester at the time, to the Ministry of Munitions in 1915 asking if they wanted any more Model 1907’s as these were now become available again, received a reply stating none were required.
So the real number of 1907’s used by the British air service is unknown but probably in the dozens only.
Regards
Alan
Fabulous and thorough research Alan. You are to be applauded!!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Here is one if you are still working on this survey. https://www.proxibid.com/Winchester-1910-SL-Semi-Rifle-401-SL/lotInformation/66511932
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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