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Americas First Assault Rifle


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IMG_0001_1.JPGIMG_0002_1.JPGIMG_0009_1.JPGIMG_0010_1.JPGIMG_0011_1.JPGI just bought another Winchester semi auto rifle. This one is a model 1905 in 35 caliber.

The serial number shows my rifle was actually made in 1905.

They were only made until 1920 when the M1907 doomed them.

While not as powerful as the 351, they were as powerful as a 357 mag Marlin, and I know of 2 people that successfully use the Marlin for deer hunting.

This rifle is odd because it has almost zero blue on the receiver and yet the barrel has a lot of nice blue with minimal rust. Must have something to do with the alloy of the receiver.

Any opinions???

Jim C

 

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wow, nice job Jim . I think the first 05 I've ever seen, in person. Like to hear your range report on this one.

I have noticed the same on the few 07s I've owned, the barrel holds the blue the receiver goes into a nice patina. However, I have no idea why ?

Maybe CJL might know.

pretty gun, thanks for posting.

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Sandy,

Thanks for the comment. I have already fired 9 rds out it. Nothing elaborate, 2 inch group at 25 yds.

The 35 WSL cartridges are impossible to find but very easy to make. 38 spl brass is almost perfect for conversion. Just turn a correct rim and slightly shorten.

I bought it off gunbroker. The seller was very honest. Showed more pictures of the shortcomings than the good points. I had to guess about the barrel, which had a perfect bore, not a small thing considering corrosive primers.

Who is CJL ???

Jim

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CJL, nickname by me for the guy you contacted about the 35 WSL cartridges from the Henwood book. He's my resident 07 smith I use for advice.

lives in California, California John Lebman ( CJL). He also has a Colt mini, Model 81, police 07, Monitor etc., etc. My type of guy.

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Jim- a 10 round magazine for the 05 ? Gotta be rare.

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Sandy,

Thanks for the comment. I have already fired 9 rds out it. Nothing elaborate, 2 inch group at 25 yds.

The 35 WSL cartridges are impossible to find but very easy to make. 38 spl brass is almost perfect for conversion. Just turn a correct rim and slightly shorten.

I bought it off gunbroker. The seller was very honest. Showed more pictures of the shortcomings than the good points. I had to guess about the barrel, which had a perfect bore, not a small thing considering corrosive primers.

Who is CJL ???

Jim

Difficult but not impossible. I have a gallon zip lock bag packed with original .351 brass. Late relative owned several 07's. While he didn't reload for them he religiously collected the spent brass. I have no use for it so it's up for grabs for the right price. I'm reasonably certain there is 300+ once fired cases once I pour them out, pile em' up and start counting.

 

Have other 07' bits, a 401 project gun, pretty sure we still have a period set of Lyman 310 series .351 dies for the tong tool and a new in box tong tool without dies. Maybe a mag or two. No high caps, sold the last of those a year or two back.

 

The reason why the receivers on many models of Winchesters are often patina versus still nicely blued barrels is that the action is the balance point thus often when folks carried an 07' or for that matter a 94' it was with their hand around the frame which generally left trace skin salts gradually eroding the blued finish.

Have to remember people generally were not oiling their guns all up, even scrubbing bores was kinda unheard of until rather recently unless they were getting rusty & crusty.

 

Anyways you see the same patina frames on many old lever guns, Marlins, Stevens High Powers, Etc as more often than not the action is close to the balance point .

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re win 07 .351 . alonzo withers was a san jose ca blacksmith who rode his horse over mt. hamilton to blackbird valley to do some livestock deal he was carrying several hundred dollars in gold coin, at a cabin he was shot with a .351,o7 win.at that time nobody evan knew what a semi aito

was. quite an investigation and arrest but case never solved. quite a few living relitaves still around here. i own property close buy and have explored with a metal dector the area never found a .351 but did find a .56-50 case

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