Winchester Model 07 1907 Self Loading SL .351 WSL Semi-Auto Rifle 1957 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2075
LSB#: 210930TP73
Make: Winchester
Model: 07 (previously 1907)
Serial Number: 57759
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1957
Caliber: .351 Winchester Self Loading (.351 W.S.L.)
Action Type: Blowback Operated Semi-Automatic with 5-Round Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN.U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, and “MODEL 07 – 351 CAL.-“. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof mark. The left receiver flat is marked “57759” at the bottom-rear, the bottom-left shoulder of the trigger portion of the receiver is marked “57759” above the trigger.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetail set to a base on the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” notched elevator sight dovetailed into the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with flat-bottom half-pistol grip, straight comb, checkered steel buttplate and sling swivels front and rear. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks. There is some thinning finish at the heel. There are spots of discoloration at the bottom-right of the forend at the rear edge and on the right of the wrist at the front edge. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows minor wear around the edges with sharp checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a small mark on the top-rear of the receiver and tool marks at the takedown screw. The action shows faint operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent 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. The magazine is blue with serrations at the bottoms of the sides to ease removal. The magazine has operational wear, infrequent faint surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a very strong spring.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1907 is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic rifle produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company beginning in 1907 with production ending in 1936. 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. 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 example was made in Ca. 1957, one of the last 1,000 of this model produced. It shows the improved features found in later rifles. The stocks are much thicker than the early examples which were well known to develop severe cracks with normal use. The charging plunger has had a finger-groove tip installed, which anyone who has operated the earlier smooth, round plungers will immediately recognize as a needed improvement. The magazine release tab is larger and serrated. Rounding out the updates is a sturdy checkered steel buttplate and a set of sling swivels. This example is in absolutely Excellent condition, showing signs of very little use and responsible storage. This is an outstanding example of an early Winchester semi-auto rifle design which should be of interest to any Winchester collector. With its great bore, if it isn’t gobbled up by collectors, it will make a nice camp rifle that would be excellent against predators and deer. Please see our photos and good luck!