The Model 1907 was Winchester's answer to Remington's immensely popular Model 8 Semi Automatic rifle. Designed by prolific firearms engineer John Browning, Remington's Model 8 was becoming extremely popular with both law enforcement and sportsmen during the first few years of the 20th Century. Following their their famous "break-up" with Browning, Winchester set out to prove that they too could compete in the large caliber semi-automatic firearms market without relying on Browning's design, and developed the model 1905; a rifle which was loosely based on T.C. Johnson's design for a .22 caliber semi-auto, which Winchester had released only two years early in 1903. Ultimately, adapting the Model 1903 for a large caliber rifle round capable of stopping large game required a complete redesign of the action as well as a new proprietary cartridge, the .35 WSL. This new model was dubbed the M1905, and initially was very well received. Famed explorer Harry Payne Whitney even took a M1905 on an expedition to the Arctic.
Despite initial success, the new .35 WSL cartridge lacked the stopping power of Remington's proprietary Model 8 cartridges; failing to compete with evening the smallest Model 8 offering the .25 Remington. In response to these complaints, Winchester's engineers once again redesigned T.C. Johnson's action this time with more powerful recoil springs; allowing the action to accept a new more powerful cartridge, dubbed the .351 SL Centerfire. This new cartridge delivered much higher velocities and more foot pounds of energy than it's predecessor; allowing the Winchester's rifle to compete with any of Remington's four cartridge offerings available in the Model 8.
Even though it never matched the sales numbers of the Remington Model 8, the M1907 went on to be a commercial success for Winchester, allowing them to break into the burgeoning large caliber semi-auto market. The company would go on to produce three different variants of the M1907: "Plain", "Fancy, and "Police". These first two variants were marketed to sportsmen, while the Police model was intended for law enforcement and the military use; offering "tactical" features like an extended 10 round magazine, reinforced nosecap, and sling swivels. These police models proved to be popular particular with the FBI and US Border Patrol who used them extensively in the late 1920's through the 1930's as part of the national initiative to crack down on the growing rates of violent crime.
The M1907 was also used extensively during WWI, in both the "Police" and "Plain" variants. France was the largest purchaser of M1907's; purchasing a total of 2,200 rifles and more than one million rounds of .351 SL ammunition throughout the course of the war. In addition to France, both Great Britain and Imperial Russia purchased quantities of M1907's directly from Winchester during the War, and the US Air Corp purchased a number of M1907s in order to arm pilots during the Punitive Expedition to Mexico.
This particular M1907 is a "Police Model" and features both an extended 10 round magazine as well as a 5 round magazine. It is in very good condition with nice stocks and a large percentage of its original factory-blued finish.
The plain walnut stocks are in excellent condition with no major damage, other than a minor cosmetic crack in the forend.
The action works perfectly and the bolt locks up nicely. The bore is excellent with crisp rifling.
*This weapon was made after 1899 and MUST be shipped to Federal Firearms License holder for transfer. Never bought a gun through an FFL before? Give us a call at (262) 473-5444 and we'd be glad to walk you through this simple process.
