Book Review: Win. Model 07 Self-Loading .351 Cal., by Leonard Speckin

[ron_brock]

Winchester Model 07 Self-Loading .351 Caliber Its Past and Its Future with Modern Brass Bullets and Powders by Leonard Speckin

 

I found a small article in the latest American Rifleman that mentioned this book and bought a copy since I have a growing interest in the 07 and a restoration job to complete on an ex Arkansas Pen gun that I bought. Len was very friendly and helpful to answer a few questions I had about the gun and also quick to send a copy of his book. I believe the price was $30 shipped.

 

The book is 106 pages softcover and is a 2nd edition. It was a quick read and I was able to finish in two mornings while the kids were still asleep.

 

I enjoyed the book and while I had hoped it would include more about the history of the gun I still found the information useful and interesting. The book would be especially helpful for anyone wanting to shoot their 07, as there is a fair amount of detail on reloading, or complete disassemble and clean. The author goes into detail on dis assembly and also provides sketches on how to produce tools to aid in dis assembly including the magazines. The book is mostly focused on historical sporting accounts and the suitability for this rifle and the .351SL round for sporting use on North American game. There are a few interesting tidbits about the use as a law enforcement arm.

 

Overall I would recommend the book for anyone with an interest in the 07 Winchester. I do not have a copy of the very scarce Henwood book to compare, but feel this work is a good addition to the very small written history on these guns.

 

You can find the author's contact information posted over on the Vintage Semi Auto forum.

http://vintagesemiautorifle.proboards.com/thread/926/new-book-on-1907?page=1&scrollTo=3486

 

 

- Ron

[dalbert]

Ron,

 

Thanks for posting this. You should post a photo of the book.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[jim c 351]

Ron,

Thanks for posting. I think I'll buy a copy.

Sandy (OCM) has Henwood's book. Hopefully Sandy will buy the new book and compare.

So,--- Sandy, your mission is to buy the new book and do a double book report.

Merry Christmas.

Jim C

Hopefully, now I can quit looking for a copy of Henwoods book.

[jim c 351]

Just got off the phone with the author, Leonard Speckin.

Quite an interesting fellow.

Mr. Speckin is a retired Michigan State Trooper. Besides being an expert on the WRA 1907 he was also the instructor for the Thompson Submachine gun. Had both the 21 and 28 Colts in inventory.

The issue car firearm for part of his service was the M1A1 carbine.

So Mr. Speckin has a variety of stories to tell about a variety of firearms.

I encouraged him to sign up on MG boards and hopefully he will.

I told him that OCM could provide enough gangster info on the 1907 to make a third edition.

Jim C

[OCM]

John's book, I would think, would be hard to top. Extremely through in all aspects. 116 pages, maybe 75-100 photos. He lists two of my friends, Bill Helmer and Jimmy Gillman, who are associated with the 30s outlaws, in the Biblio but didn't address this in the book, being it has such a tie-in with law enforcement and the other side. John gave me the book himself, and self published it, so I don't know where one would find it.

 

OCM

[ron_brock]

Here's a quick shot of the cover. Sorry about the poor quality as I snapped this quickly with my phone. If I was good enough this year, Santa should be bringing me some camera goodies so I can work on the next step from horrible tourist photographer to someone who has a slight idea what they are doing.

 

I really look forward to hearing what Sandy says in comparison with Henwood's book. I believe this was not meant to be a replacement for Henwood's work, but is a nice addition to the history of the gun. I would love to find a copy, but I imagine that is going to take a while. I also bought the Great 8 Remington book and Canfield's Garand book so I have more reading time than time off this Christmas break.

 

Merry Christmas to all.

 

- Ron

 

 

[jim c 351]

Ron,

I ask L. Speckin if he has Henwood's book and how his compares.

The answer was yes. He said Henwoods book has several things that his book lacks. Mostly info on the M05 and M10.

On the plus side Speckin's book has updated info on loading components and loading info that didn't exist when Henwood's book was written.

One of the things that caught my attention was the fact that these component manufactures ship large amount of 351 bullets to Europe.

Speckin is also in contact with Henwood's widow. Mrs. Henwood offered to sell copy right's the John's book. Speckin doesn't plan on accepting the offer due to costs.

Jim C

[OCM]

I think John may have passed on, not sure, but I think this is the case, if I get a call from him be real embarrassed. He was very excited about the 07, and his book. There is some stuff on the Rem model 8 in there too, and yes good history on the 07 351. He probably contacted me via Helmer ?

I kick myself in the butt on this one, brought this up before. I had a police officer, that was allowed to strip the Lebman 07s down at Tucson, talk to me about it. I don't think it was John. He contacted me about all the stuff Lebman had done, but it was Greek to me at the time. ( you've seen those kick butt machines, right ? )

Of course not a continuation of John's book, but sure would like to see some outlaw involvement in 3rd edition maybe. Better hurry, I'm forgetting as fast as I know, which isn't much.

 

Sandy

[AlanDavid]

Is there any mention of military use of the Model 1907 in the new Leonard Speckin book?

 

Regards

 

AlanD

Sydney

[ron_brock]

Alan,

 

I would need to flip through again, but I do recall some discussion about military use, although limited. There was some discussion about the French as well as some trials with various calibers including an interesting trial with an M1910 in 45acp. If you were looking for great detail on the military use, I would say this is not the book, but I am not aware of any full detailed accounts of the military usage of the Winchester Self Loaders.

 

- Ron

[jim c 351]

I received my copy of Leonard Speckin's book on the Winchester 351 M1907 this morning.

I've only read the intro and skimmed thru the rest of the book, but its definitely a "BUY NOW" for anyone with an interest in the WRA 351.

Service was extremely fast. Leonard shipped the book before he even received my check.

Nice guy and nice book.

Jim C

[AlanDavid]

I have ordered a copy. The author told me he had made a couple of trips to Cody and the Winchester records and had been working on the book on and off for 5 years.

 

Regards

 

AlanD

Sydney

[jim c 351]

Alan,

I think you'll be pleased with the book.

Let us know what it costs to send to Sydney.

Jim C

[AlanDavid]

My copy arrived , only cost $14.90 in postage, cheaper than posting from the USA to Germany -0 how does that work.

 

The books three main strengths are in in depth look at what gun writers said or didn't say about the Model 1907 in the day. It has good coveridge on tests with ammunition including some 200 grain projectiles that are now available, modern reloads are tested along with older factory ammo. Would you believe that reloaded ammo gave 2 inch groups at 100 yards , which is better than some out of the box bolt action rifles you can buy today.

 

A large part of the book had to do with disassembley and more important re-assembly. Whatever you do do not take the bolt out of your Model 1907 before you buy this book, it will end in tears, divorce and a drinking problem when you try to put it back together.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to shoot at the range, hunt with or pull apart their Model 1907. It is complementary to Mr Henwood's book, which is now only available second hand.

 

Regards

 

AlanD

Sydney

[jim c 351]

Alan,

Thanks for posting, especially the shipping cost. Not as expensive as I expected.

Did you notice that Brian is selling his Win 351 and Books case at the Outlaw Guns forum?.

Have you ever come across a Books hardcase down under./

Jim C