Replica Lebman 1907
A member of the Vintage Semi-Automatic Sporting Rifles Forum posted photos of his replica Lebman 1907.
Well it’s been darn-near 8 months since I thought of it and decided that I wanted one but it’s done. My replica of the Winchester 1907s prepared by Hyman Lebman of San Antonio for the Dillinger Gang (except not full auto), including Homer Van Meter and Baby Face Nelson. This is as close as I can come to the guns captured with Johnny D. and gang in Tucson – I sent every photo that I could find and a stock 1907 to Tom Wilkinson in Idaho (208-660-5135) and told him what I wanted – he came through beautifully cutting the barrel down to 16 inches and making a perfect replica of the comp and producing an unbreakable aluminum forearm for the vertical TSMG grip. I received the aluminum forearm raw and have been trying to paint it correctly – I’m still working on it but I can’t wait any longer to share. I can’t get to the range this weekend but I will be going next Friday to try her out – I’ve accumulated 6 of the 10-round mags and 350 rounds of 351 ammo.
[Hat Tip: Max Popenker]
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Update...
Looks like the gun Uncle had was the winchester 351 original. (hence the short mag and no suppressor) ...apparently it was the forerunner to the m1 carbine (which is possibly my favorite small rifle)so its no wonder I liked this rifle my uncle had. Shame he didn't hold onto it. I would expect that they would be like 'hens teeth' down in these parts.
K Pete,
There were actually 3 versions of the Winchester self-loading rifles..Models 1905,07, and 10. The '07 was the most popular firing the 351 cartridge. The Model 10 was the most powerful firing the 401 cartridge.
Although originally conceived as a sporting rifle, they never caught on with hunters, but were popular with law enforcement and the gangsters as well. They were originally equipped with a 5 round magazine, but 10 round magazines were later introduced. In their day, they were an expensive rifle to buy. Because of it's blow-back action, the rifle is much heavier than it looks.
I've got one that was manufactured in 1913 and has been completely restored. Factory ammo was discontinued sometime in the 1980's, but I've seen it at gun shows. Ammunition can be made using 357 Maximum cases, but the rims have to be machined to produce a rimless case, and the bullets have to be sized to .351 caliber.
Because ammo is hard to find, I don't shoot mine much, but it kicks like a mule, and the trigger pull is terribly heavy. It is very reliable though.