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winchester 1903 config ?s

win1903
I have a model 1903 manufactured in 1907. After looking at 100s of the same model online, I cannot find one with a similar configuration.

The front sight appears to be a Beech combination (which from what I understand was an option)
The rear sight has a stationary blade and a hinged blade that folds up.
There is what appears to be a permanent scope mount where the scope would just click easily into two holes and snap down.
The trigger guard appears to be considerable more round than any others I've seen. It appears more of a circle while the others are oval.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I can find NO info.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    WE would love to see pictures. I dont think in this time frame any type of scope attachment would be Factory option . But maybe the Winchester people will be able to shed some light on this Blue book states first 5000 were slightly different. is yours that low in serial number.From looking at the new pictures of the proof marks .I think they are German proofs. This sound correct as the Germans were very fond of CLAW MOUNTS.
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  • win1903
    Perry - the SN is 39107 which according to the factory letter from BBHC was made in 1907. I would agree with you on the scope mount, but if it's not factory, it's a really impressive addition.

    If I can figure out how to post pics I'll post them by tomorrow.
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  • win1903
    Pics can be seen at

    http://winchester1903.shutterfly.com
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  • Hawk Carse
    The scope bases are for European claw mounts.
    Are there any foreign proof marks to indicate the gun might have been sold abroad?

    The (eagle)(crown)/U proof marks in your new picture are German and are correct for when the rifle was made. All goes together with the claw mount scope bases to show the gun was exported to Germany. Does all that make it worth more money? I don't know, but it is an interesting combination that somebody thought worth importing, paying duty on, mounting a scope, and importing the oddball .22 Winchester Auto ammo for.
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  • win1903
    Hawk - I just added a pic of the proof marks to the above link. I don't know what they mean.
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  • Bert H.
    The front sight is a Lyman No. 5 Combination, which was an optional special order sight (which if original, should be listed on the factory letter).

    The rear sight is not factory original (nor do I recognise it), and it was most likely installed at the same time the rifle was modified for the scope.

    While it is an interesting rifle, and the modifications were most definitely "period" work, its collector value is less than an unaltered "plain Jane" Model 1903 of the same vintage and condition.
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  • win1903
    Thanks for the info guys.

    Any idea about the trigger guard. As I said in my initial post the guard appears to be much more circular than the oval shaped guards on all of the 1903s I've seen.
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  • win1903
    And Bert - The factory letter shows nothing but the received in warehouse date, the shipped date, and the order number. There is no configuration info.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by win1903
    And Bert - The factory letter shows nothing but the received in warehouse date, the shipped date, and the order number. There is no configuration info.


    Configuration information for a Model 1903 is only listed if it is different than the standard catalog gun (e.g. special sights, fancy stocks, checkering, etc.). Your old Model 1903 was a standard rifle.

    As for the trigger guard, who knows for sure, but I suspect that it was nothing more than Winchester using up an old part.
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