My Father had this Winchester Model 04 in .22 Short, Long and Extra-Long as a kid in the late 1920s.

When his father died in 1970, and we were cleaning out his home in the Central Valley, I came across Dad’s rifle leaning against the wall just inside the garage door. It looked as if it had been left there since my Dad last used it as a kid. It was so rusted up, it was barely recognizable. The bore was completely blocked.

I went after it with penetrating oil and a wire wheel till I could see bare steel. I sawed off nearly 7 inches of barrel before I found useable rifling. I squared off the muzzle with a hand file and crowned it using a countersink bit. I cut a front sight dovetail using a triangular file. Results:



My Dad used his rifle once again, in 1971, as the “survival rifle” in his private plane when he flew through Mexico, Central America and into Colombia. He was able to satisfy Colombian customs officials that it’s presence was required by FAA rules (total B.S., of course).

My Bride used it on our honeymoon in 1975 to kill a rabbit for our breakfast while we were camped near Mount Whitney. Both my Bride and the rifle have been with me ever since.

But, I’m getting a little long in the tooth, now, with open sights needing “just the right lighting” to be useful. So, longitudinal dovetail cuts were made in the barrel to accommodate an Ultradot red dot sight. Back in business:

What a COOL little rifle! GREAT story also!

Virgil B.

X2!

Great job bringing the old rifle back to life!

The Winchester Model 04 was a John M. Browning design, too. It’s strong and simple, with its own elegance.

It's stories like that which bring these old guns to life. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like the little booger shoots too!
Well done Sir!

I saw one of those awhile back.....but it wasnt pretty

Great Story bringing her back to Life, and Sharing it with us.

HS 58

Exchipy: Thanks for sharing.
That is one Winchester rimfire model I have never owned.
I did have a "thumb trigger" model (later dubbed the Model 99 - IIRC) for a time that looked kind of like that.
Amazing your Rifle shoots so well after the previous neglect!
Enjoy it and thanks again for sharing.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy,
If you looked at the bore, you’d be even more amazed. Rust had eaten away at the lands in spots, though not extensively. The bore actually looks quite smooth and there are no apparent rough edges where bits of the lands are missing. But, good grief, it goes against all I thought I knew about what it takes for a rifle bore to shoot well. I just shoot and enjoy it, not losing one bit of sleep over why it works.

I’ve often heard it said that if one must choose between being lucky and being smart, one should choose lucky every time.

Dad’s little 04 went to the indoor range this morning, along with some CCI Quiet 22 ammo. Results at 50 feet:



Shot standing, leaning against the carpeted shooting position wall for support. Most pleased. It’ll see duty as a backyard gopher gun. Our squirrels are extraordinarily lucky we like them.

More great news for this little Gem that you brought back to life and resurrected.

A lot of fun, they are!

HS 58