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I’ve heard of a small amount of the 1907’s that went to Britain in WWI. However, this one was made in 1935 from what I found on here. It has a lot of British proofs present on the barrels as well as the receiver and bolt. What would they need these guns for in the mid to late 30’s? Any history on these?
While police in Britain are generally unarmed they have always had specially trained officers who are armed when the occasion arises where firearms are necessary and they do have prisons for hardened and dangerous persons. I suspect this gun was used for purposes of armed officers or perhaps shipped to England after WW 2 began to arm Home Guard etc.. I have owned examined and owned Winchester 1892 and 1894 rifles and carbines with British proofs here in Canada. Just my opinion.
mikec said
I’ve heard of a small amount of the 1907’s that went to Britain in WWI. However, this one was made in 1935 from what I found on here. It has a lot of British proofs present on the barrels as well as the receiver and bolt. What would they need these guns for in the mid to late 30’s? Any history on these?
All guns that were imported into England had to be proofed.
The Winchester self loading series of rifles had a small but dedicated following in the UK, for sporting use.
It sounds like your rifle will have commercial proof marks almost certainly applied by the London proof house. If you can post any pictures we can quickly tell.
Out of interest does the rifle have a very small stamping of the letters JJ near the trigger on the receiver? At one time this was a marking applied to Colt and Winchester firearms that the UK agent, the London Armoury Company applied, possibly to assist with warranty claims, although this has never been confirmed.
No record has been found of any of these rifles being issued to British Police. I have read all the files I can at the National Archives in London on the arming of police in ww2, they just had the standard rifles, SMLE, M1917, Pattern 14 and some Ross rifles. However, these were for defense purposes only as they were not considered a combat force.
The quantity stated of Model 1907 .351 S/L rifles as being supplied to the UK in the Great War is I am afraid overstated at 120 rifles. The figure is actually less than this, from new information that has turned up in the National Archives in London. Eventually I will put pen to paper and write an article for the Winchester club magazine about these rifles, in British Service in the Great War and World War Two.
Regards
AlanD
Sydney
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