Late Winchester Model 1907 .351 SL Self Loading Semi-Auto Rifle, 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: LSB250605PL004
Model: 1907
Serial Number: 57436
Year of Manufacture: ca. 1956
Caliber: .351 Winchester Self Loading (.351 W.S.L.)
Action Type: Blowback Operated Semi-Automatic with 5-Round Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base on the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered steel buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted in the belly and another on the forend cap. The stocks have some light nicks and small scratches with a more notable ding on the left of the forend toward the front. There is a crack in the left-front of the forend. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear, mostly around the edges, with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scratching along each side of the barrel and nicks along the top of the receiver. There are some other scattered light marks. There is some scattered light finish wear, most notable at the muzzle, the top-rear of the receiver, and around the front of the receiver. There is infrequent minor oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes one 5-round box magazine marked “-.351 CAL-” on the bottom and a leather sling.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Models 1907/07 is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic rifle produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company beginning in 1907 with production ending in 1957. It is fed from a 5 round capacity, detachable box magazine located immediately forward of the trigger guard. The only cartridge offered by Winchester as a factory chambering in the Model 1907 was the .351 S.L., pushing a 180 gr. bullet out of the barrel at about 1850 fps., more than twice the energy of a modern .357 Magnum shot out of a pistol.
The Model 1907 followed the semi-automatic models 1903 (rimfire) and 1905 (.32 or .35 Win), preceding the model 1910 (.401 Win.), all designed by Thomas Johnson, a key designer for Winchester who also designed the Model 12 shotgun. This series of Self-Loading rifles tells an interesting tale as John Browning had previously designed rifles incorporating helpful features like a bolt handle for Winchester, which Winchester had patented for Browning, only for the two to fail to reach an agreement and the innovations go to Remington for production under the Browning patent. Thus, many of the awkward features on this rifle wear done to avoid patent infringement by Winchester on a patent that they had paid for but Remington was benefiting from. France ordered 2,800 of these rifles from Winchester during WWI and would modify them to fire fully automatically and equip their troops with larger magazines for trench raiding.
This rifle was made in 1956 toward the end of production. The rifle has the updates of later models including thicker stocks, finger-hook plunger and extended magazine release, each of which was quite needed in the earlier models. Despite the thicker stocks, there is a crack in the forend, but the gun is otherwise in good shape, having some erosion in the bore and retaining strong mechanics. It should be well worth getting back out in the field or on the range. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
