Winchester Model 1907

Winchester Model 1907
Winchester Model 1907 semi-automatic rifle.
Type	Semi-automatic rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	France United Kingdom Russian Empire United States
Wars	World War I
Production history
Designer	T.C. Johnson
Manufacturer	Winchester Repeating Arms Company
Produced	1907 to 1957
Variants	"Plain" "Fancy Finish" and "Police" rifles
Specifications
Weight	8 lb (3.6 kg) to 9 lb (4.1 kg)
Length	40 in (1,000 mm)
Barrel length	20 in (510 mm)
Cartridge	.351 Winchester Self-Loading
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Feed system	Detachable 5 and 10-round box magazines
Sights	Open iron sights and optional tang or receiver-mounted aperture sights

The Winchester Model 1907 is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic rifle produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company beginning in 1906 with production ending in 1958. It was perhaps the first modern assault rifle, firing a cartridge of intermediate power (roughly equivalent in energy to the 7.62x39), cycled through a semi-automatic operating mechanism, fed by a detachable magazine. It was fed from a 5, 10, or 15 round detachable box magazine located immediately forward of the trigger guard. In size and handling, it is much like an M1 carbine, though the 1907 is heavier and fires a much harder hitting round.

The only cartridge offered by Winchester as a factory chambering in the Model 1907 was the .351SL centerfire. The energy of this cartridge at the muzzle approximates the original loading of the 30-30 or the modern 35 Remington at approximately 75-100 yards.

In addition to the standard or "plain finish" model, a deluxe or "fancy finish" model was offered with pistol grip stock and checkering on the forearm and wrist of the . The plain finish rifles were offered in 1907 at a list price of $28. In 1935, Winchester offered a special "Police Rifle" variant, featuring a non-adjustable rear sight, sling swivels, larger magazine release, and a special barrel measuring 5/8" at the muzzle, and rear sight dovetail moved 2 3/8" inches rearward. A barrel sleeve with Krag bayonet mount and front sight was also an option with the "Police Rifle".

The basic design for the Model 1907 is covered by U.S. Patent 681,481 issued August 27, 1901 and assigned to Winchester by Thomas Crossley Johnson, a key firearms designer for Winchester. This patent was initially used to protect the design of the rimfire Winchester Model 1903, but came to be applied toward the centerfire Winchester Self Loading rifle series, which includes the Model 1905, Model 1907, and Model 1910.