Winchester Model 1905

The Winchester Model 1905 (also known as the Model 05), is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic rifle produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company beginning in 1905 and discontinued in 1920. This rifle loads cartridges from a 5 or 10-round capacity, detachable box magazine located immediately forward of the trigger guard. Winchester offered factory chamberings in .32SL and .35 Winchester Self-Loading (.35 WSL).[1]

Winchester SL 05 Take Down
Winchester Model 1905
TypeSemi-automatic rifle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerT.C. Johnson
ManufacturerWinchester Repeating Arms Company
Produced1905 to 1920
No. built29,113
Variants"Plain" and "Fancy Finish" Rifles
Specifications
Mass7 lb (3.2 kg) to 8 lb (3.6 kg)
Length40 in (1,000 mm)
Barrel length22 in (560 mm)
Cartridge.32SL and .35SL
ActionBlowback
Rate of fireSemi-automatic
Feed systemDetachable 5 and 10-round box magazines
SightsOpen iron sights and optional tang or receiver-mounted aperture sights

Notably, a Model 1905 in .35 WSL was used by Harry Payne Whitney on an arctic expedition. The rifle proved reliable in extreme low-temperatures, but was insufficiently powerful for taking large game such as musk ox.[2]

The basic design for the Winchester Model 1905 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.[3]

In 1941 Winchester designed the M1 Carbine in response to a US Army competition for a light rifle. The designers were able to adapt the Model 1905 trigger group and magazine for the trials rifle which saved on research and development time.

Variants

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 stock. The plain finish rifles were offered in 1905 at a list price of $28, the fancy finish rifles for $43.[4]

References
  1. West, Bill R. (1964) Winchester For Over a Century Stockton Trade Press, p. III-3
  2. Stebbins, Henry M. (1952) How to Select and Use Your Big Game Rifle Combat Forces Press, p. 82
  3. US Patent Number 681481: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=681481
  4. Winchester Repeating Arms Company 1905 Guns Catalog Reproduction by Cornell Military Publications. Brighton, MI 48114

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