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Early Winchester Model 1906 Pump Action .22 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:850.00 - 1,300.00 USD
Early Winchester Model 1906 Pump Action .22 Rifle
For your consideration is an extremely early Winchester Model 1906 pump action “Boys Rifle” in rare .22 Short only chambering. This is a very early example with matching serial numbers on the receiver and trigger guard. Serial number 65167, indicating a manufacture date of 1907. For only the first full year of production the Model 1906 was only chambered for the popular .22 Short Rim Fire round. At serial numbers around 70000 the rifle was chambered for .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges interchangeably. Finding one of these first production rifles with only the “.22 SHORT” barrel marking is nearly impossible on today’s market. The diminutive Model 1906 was a scaled down version of the famed Model 1890 meant for the “boys market.” The Model 1906 uses the same action as the Model 1890, but is mated with a shorter, 20” round barrel, shorter length butt stock with Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate. Early forearms on this model were made plain and round which would fit the small hands of the young boys lucky enough to have one of these relatively expensive rifles! And it was a lucky boy indeed as most boys’ rifles of the early part of the 20th Century were inexpensive single shot affairs. The Model 1906 repeating rifle was the top of the line in youth rifles! Generally, this is a very difficult rifle to find in fine condition. The boys who owned them typically used them constantly over long years until they were able to fit a full-size or man-size rifle. Often, one Model 1906 would be passed down from first the oldest son to younger sons or possibly daughters. This fine and very early Model 1906 still retains very attractive aged blue patina on the receiver, barrel and magazine with fine blue on the more protected areas of the receiver. It is fitted with the original Winchester patented 1901 rear sight along with the correct small blade patented 1902 front sight. All markings are fine and legible on the barrel and upper tang including the Winchester address, “MODEL 1906” designation (later rifles were marked MODEL ’06), patent dates and caliber. The butt stock, with original Winchester embossed butt plate held to the stock with the original engraved screws, is surprisingly sound and without cracks or chips. Wood to metal ft is tight and excellent as is the takedown feature. The action functions correctly and all springs are strong. The bore shows normal wear, but retains some rifling and is in the average condition one would expect from a 113 year old boys’ rifle. An uncleaned, truly “attic condition” example that is clearly a desirable relic from a time when American boys with .22 caliber rifles were commonplace, and safe shooting and marksmanship were encouraged! An almost never encountered extremely early and most attractive example in .22 Short only chambering! This firearm qualifies as a Curio & Relic, and requires FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.