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Introduction |
I. Models |
II. Variations |
III. Condition
Model 1903
(Outline) |
Gun Parts Diagram
Winchester Rifles and Shotguns was established by Oliver F. Winchester on February 20, 1866. The first model produced under his name was the Model 1866 lever-action rifle .44 caliber rimfire. There had been earlier rifles using lever action including the Rocket Ball and Volition Repeater in 1848, Jennings Rifle (patent 1851), Smith and Wesson pistol, and Volcanic Repeating Arms (New Haven Arms Company and Henry Rifles). When the design was improved by B. Henry Tyler (shop foreman at the New Haven Arms Company), the .44 caliber metallic rimfire cartridge became powerful enough to compete with the single shot rifles of the day. Winchester Repeating Arms Company established itself as one of the world's leading firearms manufacturers of the world, and the subsequent rifles produced by Winchester are highly prized today by collectors.
About Model 1903 Winchester Rifles - In 1903, Winchester introduced the Model 1903 semiautomatic rifle, designed by T. C. Johnson this was the first in a series of Winchester semiautomatic rifles. The 1903 was later replaced by the Model 63 in 1933. This replacement was necessitated by the problem of having to have a special .22 caliber cartridge (Winchester Automatic Rimfire) to achieve proper blow-back of the bolt in the Model 1903. In addition, the Model 63 was chambered for the newly developed .22 LR cartridge, and this solved the blow-back problem with a universally available ammunition.
The Model 1903 was manufactured from 1903 through 1932 with approximately 126,000 gun produced during that period. All guns had a barrel length of 20" and had a walnut forearm and a straight or pistol-grip stock. All 1903 rifles had a crescent metal butt plate. The loading port was on the side of the stock and the magazine was accessed through the rear of the butt. The tubular magazine in the butt stock held 10 Winchester Automatic Rimfire cartridges.
Click Here to see a Chronological History of Winchester Firearms
Appraisals
To determine the value of your firearm, you must first analyze it carefully.
There are two distinct 1903 models, and then two variations of the 1903 rifle, and they all vary
somewhat in value.
In appraising your gun, you must initially
determine if you have the 20 inch inch barreled standard model, or
the Deluxe variation. After selecting the appropriate Model and
variation, you will be easily guided to the value range. There are 4 steps to this
process.
Step 1: Determine the Model of firearm
Step 2: Determine the Variation of model type
Step 3: Determine the Condition of firearm
Step 4: Determine the Book Value of firearm
Click Here to Begin at Step 1.
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Introduction | Models | Variations | Condition | Model 1903 Outline of Features | Gun Parts
