Winchester Model 1907

History

A century after the success of Winchester Repeating Arms with its lever-action bolt-action rifles, the company has launched a new line of semi-automatic rifles Model 1903. About 126,000 of these were produced under multiple patents, some of which were later extended to the upcoming Model 1905, 1907 and 1910 semi-automatic rifles. All are powered by the same semi-automatic function (no need to twitch a slider or manipulate a lever) and recoil action (using the energy produced by consuming the cartridge).

In the case of the Model 1907 - used in combat with France during World War I (1914-1918) - the weapon was used in the rather unique .351 Winchester self-loading cartridge. The design of the rifle is attributed to T.C. Johnson, a gunsmith who joined Winchester in 1885.

The Model 1907 inherited much of the same form and function as previous Winchester semi-automatic rifle designs. It received the usual flat, rectangular and largely featureless Winchester metal receiver with a large ejection port on the right side of the fuselage. The 5- or 10-round detachable magazine passes through the base in front of the trigger ring, which is placed underneath in the usual way to protect the slender trigger branch. The shoulder rest is ergonomically designed to serve the shooter and support the shoulders at the same time. The barrel is only partially exposed for part of its length, the rest is covered with a wooden front end.

The total weight is approximately 8 pounds, the overall length is 40 inches, and the barrel length is 20 inches.

When WWII came to Europe, all kinds of existing weapons were put into use. Due to the shortage of small arms, many major players are looking overseas to further replenish limited stocks. Many companies in the United States took the opportunity to take advantage of the new great war in Europe, and Winchester managed to sell its Model 1907 in large numbers to the French army.

The first French serial order received in October 1915 ordered a total of 300 rifles, followed by an additional 2,200 rifles in 1918 (the last year of the war). French Army models differ from their civilian-focused Winchester products in that their internals are now slightly redesigned to provide fully automatic fire (up to 700 rounds per minute) - making the Model 1907 Be an early assault rifle/assault carbine - designed and built. To compensate for the high fire rate, the magazine capacity was increased from 5/10 rounds to 15 and 20 rounds. However, one of the Model 1907's selling points was that it used the unique .351 Winchester cartridge, which forced the French to order around 1.5 million rounds with their new gun.

In keeping with the design of small arms pistols at the time, the 1907 model was also equipped with a mount for a field bayonet.

After France, the Russian Empire also bought Winchester rifles, but these were only about 500, plus a stockpile of ammunition ordered in May 1916. Beginning in late 1914, the British took over only 120 rifles and less than 80,000 ammunition - in service with the Air Force.

However, American pilots put the Model 1907 into service from a limited stockpile of weapons - although these were only used by pilots in the American Southwest.

The Winchester Model 1907 was produced from 1907 to 1957, with several variants appearing at the end of the production cycle, usually differing in finish and minor details. A specialized police variant appeared in 1935.

Specification

BASIC

Years

1907

Origins

United States

Categories

Semi-Auto/Full-Auto Rifle/Carbine

Manufacturer

Winchester Repeating Arms Company - USA

Operator

France; Russian Empire; United Kingdom; United States

Roles

Auto function

Has mechanical features to automate the firing process.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,000 mm

39. 37 inches

Barrel length

510mm

08/20 at

Cured weight

7.94 lbs

3.60 kg

Attractions

Front and rear iron

Action

Recoil; Semi/Fully Auto

Semi-automatic

One shot per trigger; self-loading or self-loading action supported by internal mechanisms; stroke management (and initial cocking) typically required by operators; subsequent shots assisted by unlocking/moving bolts.

Automatic

Bullets are automatically ejected from the breech, new bullets are removed from the chuck and inserted into the chamber, and the bullets will fire continuously as long as the trigger is pulled and ammunition is supplied.

Backflush mode

The air pressure created by the rearward movement of the fired case provides the necessary bolt movement, case ejection and stripping of the new case from the magazine.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

. 351 Winchester Autoloader

Circle/Feed

5, 10, 15 or 20 rounds detachable magazine

Performance

Rate of fire

650

Number of revolutions

Variants

Type 1907 - Base Series Name Type 1907 "Normal Finish" - Base Product Available Type 1907 "Fancy Finish" - Decorative Variation 1907 "Police Rifle" - Special Police Variant model 1907/17 - Special military variant of 1917