Winchester NO. 04

[AR22]

Picked this up at a Garage Sale yesterday.. Bore is nice..Finish looks original.. But someone long ago carved their name in the stock.. I actually think that is kinda cool. Wish it was not there of course.. But I think it is still a part of its History.. Do not much much about them.. Are they fairly rare? When were they made.. Funny the Barrel is Marked 22 Short. But then below that is says long extra long.. Never heard of that before.. I will just try shooting some regular shorts? Is that OK? I have some CB shorts too if that may be better?

He would not go down on the price of 250.00 at all, so I paid it as it is kinda a cool little Rifle..Probably overpaid..But I liked it..

Thanks

[MeatyMac]

The Winchester 1904 was introduced on July 5, 1904 as an adult version of Winchester’s popular 1902 single-shot .22 rimfire ‘Boys’ rifle. To make it more suitable for adults the stock was made more robust and the length of pull was increased to 13.25-inches, weight was added by increasing the barrel length 3-inches while also increasing its diameter and the diameter of the receiver compared to the 1902 model, a steel buttplate was also installed to increase weight; they were chambered for .22 Short, Long and Extra Long (Long Rifle today) cartridge lengths. The 1904 was catalogued until 1931, the retail cost was $6.00 in 1904 and by 1922 had risen to $8.45.

Early Winchester single shot .22 rifles suffer from abuse because they were inexpensive and intended for youth and less serious shooter markets, because of this, finding one in good condition, as yours appears, can be challenging today. Prices can range from $50 to well over $500 depending on original condition.

When introduced the 1904 was chambered in .22 Short and Long, in 1914 it was rechambered to .22 Short, Long and Extra Long; in July 1925 the steel buttplate was changed to composition (an early polymer).

Headspace issues tend to be common in these rifles and because the breech is unshrouded significant blow back can be a problem, be sure to wear safety glasses while shooting your 1904.

I like the personalization on the stock of your rifle and if the bore is bright and the headspace is good I think you paid about the right price for your 1904, it should only appreciate over time.

Here’s a thread I wrote in this forum a couple years ago on my 1902 Winchester rifle https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/....php?t=1718745

Mac

[AR22]

Thanks alot..Mine has the Steel Crescent buttplate.. That would make it fairly early or late? Guy I bought it from had no idea who JB Holley may have been. My barrel is marked NO 04 so is it a 1904 or a 04..I have seen some claim the designation was either of those at each particular period..

I took it out this morning a ran some CCI Short through it.Regular ones, Not CBs and it shot nice.. Extracted/Ejected nice.. Hopefully Trapp will come along with some input..

[Eat Dirt]

Very Cool Winchester...
I would of grabbed it also. Nice addition to anyones collection

Now , Do some research on who J.B. is ....
Complete the story

[MeatyMac]

Thanks alot..Mine has the Steel Crescent buttplate.. That would make it fairly early or late? Guy I bought it from had no idea who JB Holley may have been. My barrel is marked NO 04 so is it a 1904 or a 04..I have seen some claim the designation was either of those at each particular period..

I took it out this morning a ran some CCI Short through it.Regular ones, Not CBs and it shot nice.. Extracted/Ejected nice.. Hopefully Trapp will come along with some input..

I added some more information to my post above, it is a 1904 model made sometime between 1914 and June 1925.

[AR22]

Thanks very much.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I did not know the 22LR was first called a 22 extra long in the early 1900s. I found out by buying and shooting some 22 longs that the case length is the same for a 22long and a 22LR. The 22LR replaced the 29g bullet with a 40g which made it longer overall.

Am i the only one that puckered looking at that chair in the photo. Reminded of the interrogation scene in Casino Royale.

[AR22]

The Wife just picked that old chair up at the Garage sale I bought the Rifle at.. She is going to put a potted plant in it..

[TRAP55]

Hopefully Trapp will come along with some input.

Mac pretty well covered it. 302,859 made between 1904 and 1931. "1904" dropped to "04" in the Spring of 1919. Never had serial numbers.
Extra Long introduced in 1880, was added to the 1904, in 1914, went obsolete in 1935. Longer than a Long Rifle, and about the same velocity as a Standard Velocity Long Rifle. It did transition from BP to Smokeless before it's demise. Accuracy was nothing to write home about, most likely because of the slower twist used for Shorts and Longs.
Nice find my friend! Now we need a range report, with Shorts. A box of Extra Long if you could find them, probably cost more that the rifle now.

[AR22]

Thanks Trapp.. I think it will be a good one for the Grandkids.. Heck I guess you can hardly buy a Cricket for that money anymore..