Winchester Thumb Trigger Rifle 

Military: your being drafted Drafted person: oh sorry I can’t go, my finger is broken Winchester: *not today buckaroo*

Winchester needs to bring this design back, maybe through Marlin. I think we all miss 22s that cost less than $100.

Never seen a thumb trigger rifle before, thank you for the review!

You're the Bob Ross of guns. I watch your videos and sleep like a baby. Dreaming of happy guns.

@1:06 "these were actually boys rifles" I really wanted him to go and say "Chambered in 40mm Bofors"

I don't understand why these things aren't still being produce now. They seem like a decent little gun to have some fun with especially if you're on a really tight budget.

This rifle is K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid. It's so simple and efficient, it's elegant. I'm not a firearms fan so much as fascinated by the engineering that goes into them, and the stories Ian tells about them. Great video!

Never seen a more simple bolt action... If Winchester was smart theyd bring these back. Hire someone to redesign the stock to be a clever folding wire or plastic with hollow storage. Has the potential to be the lightest 22 ever. Could be a hit with the survival gun crowd and of course still as a kids rifle. The Cricket and others show theres still a market for single shot 22s... Price just under 100 and theyd make buku bucks.

If I'm not mistaken, you could fire this rifle when it's out of the wooden stock.

My dad actually has one of these, i quite enjoyed shooting it as a kid because it was easier for me to hit the thumb trigger than to reach forward and pull a conventional trigger with small hands.

You could easily conceal the entire thing in a cane.

I have one of those rifles in my collection. It's exceptionally accurate, and light enough to carry for days without tiring. The bolt and extractor design was continued into Winchester's Model 60 single-shot as well.

the best thing about having an interest in guns old and new is that you think you have seen it all then you get surprised with something you never seen before

I have a rifle like this with a finger trigger. My grandfather bought it. Gave it to my uncle, who gave it to my dad, then gave it to me. It is my first gun. Extremely accurate, and very simple. One of my favorites in my collection!

When cocked, turning the pull knob on the bolt 20 degrees clockwise sets the safety. Turning ccwise takes it off

Would love a modern redesign of this. A simple safety would work nicely. I wonder if a straight pull version would work out too.

Wow I'm actually from Australia and I remember this rifle being shown on a Saturday morning kids television program in the late 60's early 70's.

I have a Winchester Model 58 with the exact same bolt action only it has a trigger. My grandfather bought it for the boys back in 1910, cost $1.00, and a box of .22 short were $.05 @ 50 rounds. He also bought them a box of .22 bird shot. When I inherited the rifle it had no rifling, been shot that much, I spent a couple hours stripping the lead from the bore and ended up with a real shooter. It needs a stock now, found one on line that I'll be ordering this winter, this little rifle will go to one of my grandsons after the new stock, he will also get the old broken stock to keep it all original. While looking for a stock for the rifle I found that Winchester sold some of these rifles with gum wood stocks. Oh, the boys were identical twins, 9 years old when they got the rifle, can you imagine that in this day and age?

I just bought myself a model 67 and it's basically identical to this (besides not being a thumb trigger) despite being a 1935 model. Cheap little plinker, brilliant condition. Jumped out at me when I saw it for $200 at the local gun store. Simplicity and reliability at a low price. It's hard to get back into that market these days I think with so many companies like Savage pumping out high quality guns for low prices.

I've been binge watching this channel for the past 2 hours and every time I say that I'm gonna goto bed I just see anew video with an even freakier gun that I have to look at.

This has to be the easiest rifle to disassemble and clean I've ever seen. I want one!

2:11 Elegant & Crude... I think that sums up minimalist design perfectly. Because thats what this is, it's the minimalists gun.

Hi Ian, awesome video. When I was younger I remember seeing one of these rifle in a museum (I am from Australia), at first I thought it was an old rifle missing a trigger. This video does a good job of explaining what this rifle is and how it works.

What's cool about this thumb trigger mechanism is that it would make the gun bypass the laws of what a "rifle" is under the NFA and GCA. Rifles need a single pull of the trigger, this is a push-button trigger. Theoretically you could make something like this, with a stock, have a short barrel. Since this was made for little kids anyway, a 10-12 inch barrel on there would be great to cut down on some length and weight.

Been around guns pretty much my whole life and never knew that such existed. Thanks for the info. I've often thought that a thumb trigger would make for a more accurate shot due to the physiology of the way muscles work. Nice to know that I'm not the only one who had that idea.

Everything on this rifle is the same as the Model 58, except for the extended sear. On the model 58, and later the model 60 the sear simply has a slot milled that will allow the trigger to lever the sear downward to fire. So the only additional part was the trigger itself. The trigger on the model 58 is held in place by a metal pin through the wooden stock so it is still a very, very simple mechanism. My Dad bought an early Model 60 sometime around 1930. The rifle is stamped as a Model 60 but the stock is the flat "board" of the Model 58. The 58 has a straight bolt just like the one in the video. The 60 has a bent bolt usually a fuller shaped stock. The rifle cost $5.00 at that time. Of course $5.00 during the depression was not as easy to come by as it is today. That is the rifle that I learned to shoot with. I did not have any problem pulling the trigger, but my Grandfather had to cock the rifle for each shot because I did not have enough strength to pull back the cocking knob. I still have the rifle and I still shoot it now and again.

Basically just a step up from pipe guns. I think it would actually be interesting to have one of these in a more powerful cartridge, for plinking etc. As you said, a dirt cheap rifle will appeal to a lot of people, even if it's a single shot.

An elderly lady I knew when I lived in rural Virginia kept one of these loaded by her back door for shooting coyotes that got too close to her chickens. That woman was a sniper with that little gun. I guess it's because she'd been shooting it since she was a child, must have been 75 years, she was in her 80's when I knew her. When she passed away her family treated that cheap little rifle like it was the most valuable item in the world. I was glad to see they didn't just toss it away.

Okay, I just sat and watched--without SKIPPING--an entire 4:16 minute ad for Keto Chow. Look up "Keto Chow witch ad" to see it if you don't see it here. Oh. My. God. I want to know the production costs of this ad. This ad had to cost more than your average B movie. Fascinating, in the sort of way the Texas Chain-Saw Massacre was fascinating. I'm not sure how many PC memes the ad rips, but it's a cauldron-full.

Saw one not long ago at an LGS. It wasn't for sale. The owner had brought it in to show off. It was pristine. Very neat little rifle.

G'day Ian! I have a very similar rifle, a 1904 I believe? Same thing but a traditional trigger design. When loading a cartridge, it isn't necessary to make sure the rim is before the extractor as it will spring under and catch the cartridge rim if it is loaded hard against the breech. Love your work mate

You and Karl should use one of these little 22s in a 2gACM I think it would be fun to watch.

Similar extractor to the Czechoslovakian ZKM-468 Training rifle.

I have one, I purchased it about 2 years ago. I love it! Very accurate.

I'm very impressed with the simple design and how few components are needed. A little machining work here, some assembly there and there you have it.

honestly, i bet this is really comfortable to walk around with all day slung over your back. No trigger guard to bump into, very smooth profile.

This is for people who are all thumbs when using a rifle... literally.

This design could be incorporated into a terrific pack/survival rifle.

You should get a lot of fake bullets (snap caps? I don't remember what they're called) to show a pulled trigger, if you wanted. I just started watching and I like your show! Thank you!

Identical to the action, stock take down screw & barrel of my grampas 1903 Winchester except his did have a trigger and guard. So they made them both ways. PS never had to be concerned about the extractor putting rounds in the chamber. it simply slid over under and up behind the rim. when you closed the bolt. Thanks for solving my problem of completing the action on my home built blackpowder 22 WCF.

“Somewhere between elegant and crude” was the best way to describe this. Right on the money Ian.

Seems like an interesting project a home builder could build...Nice....

Check out the BlackWater Ironhorse. It's a thumb operated AR compatible platform.

I found one of these after my grandfather passes but the hammer is broken and there is a crack in the wood. Glad to know its old, maybe I'll try to find someone to restore it but i'll never shoot it or get rid of it. RIP Grandpa.

My grandfather has one of these in his collection!

The guy on that Royal Nonesuch channel could probably build something like this, only not finished as well. It's really clever engineering. Reminds me of Colin Chapman's old slogan, "Simplify, then add lightness!" Would an extra two or three machining cuts allow this design to have a "safety" by twisting the striker knob into a safety notch like the Mosin-Nagant? Seems like an excellent design to build with modern manufacturing technology and sell for under $100 with that one modification.

I need to binge watch this channel, soo much material

this basic design, scaled up to .38 special would be a near ideal "stew pot gun" for those who had access to reloading gear (even the "mallet n die" variety ala lee). hell, you could probably spend a couple weekends with a piece of tubing, files, bar stock, barrel and a few other tools (like a drill press), even heat treat with a propane torch or electric stove burner, and crank one out for 50 bucks (with the majority of that going for a numrich barrel blank), and a couple six packs worth of sweat. could easily make the "button/lever" self cock the hammer too (just add a cam surface), though you would have to change the extractor then. imagine the looks at the range when you show up with a pack of primers, a couple cases, a lee loader, leather mallet, and bag of cast wadcutters, along with a junior bottle of HP38. tap a few together, and break out your "thumb rifle". belle of the ball day right there, yessir... lol

That is a cool little rifle, I am amazed at how simple the design is and yet it is efficient, and a thumb trigger, wow.

I thought the fact that it doesn't have a mag to be a complete deal reaker, but sitting through the video, I'd love to have one of these. If only I lived in a place where I could get one without going through a 3 month (at a minimum) process to aquire a gun... not that I have a permit to own one now. Maybe I'll get one in the future, it seems fun and a lovely starter rifle.

I just found this video while researching the rifle I just inherited. It does say " thumb trigger" on it so pre 1920. Mine is in excellent condition compared to the one in your video. Thanks for the information. Nope not for sale, never will be.

I collect old .22 caliber rifles, and over the years I have owned dozens of these thumb trigger rifles. I have one I purchased in the early 60s with the original box…

this is so simple. i might just try and make a replica...

My pap paw had one. Shot it for years.

Missed evolutionary trail: Magazine fed and self cocking versions in military calibers with stripper clip guides... would probably have beat the crap out of ALL of the bolt guns in use in WW1 for cost, speed of manufacture (and ramp up time), accuracy , reliability, durability and ease of maintenance. Also the ability to fire the thing wearing thick mittens (or missing fingers) with no fiddling would be an added plus. They missed the boat on this one it could have been the world standard instead of an archaic kids plinker.

I remember those. Now I have to find one to add to my collection. Very neat.

This actually seems like a pretty clever idea. Also quite simple. Surprised there aren’t more thumb trigger guns. Sure, it has its downsides but it’s special

Do you ever get punt guns in the rock island auction company? Here bonhams have them all of the time, you guys need to import some! Would make a great video :)

as you said, really simple and elegant. almost sort of cute. these should totally be reproduced.

1:25 - 1:40 I see an even bigger advantage, in being able to use the index finger for holding the rifle, instead of just pulling the trigger, while at the same time still using the thumb for holding the rifle (thumb doubles as holding and triggering finger, while when index-finger-triggering, the index finger fullfills no other function, despite being the strongest finger...). I today found out that this actually exists, but I never understood why not all triggers function like that, for my understanding, it´s the natural way...

After seeing this system, I wonder how much it would suck to fire a 12 gauge with it. Still, an elegantly simple solution. Game devs for apocalyptical survival type games should definitely use this as inspiration for guns.

Simple to use, increased accuracy, cheap to manufacture, *let’s market it to children!*

Now I finally understand that how did Harry manage to convert his umbrella into a rifle in Kingsman :- The Golden Circle.

If you could get your hands on one, I think it would be very interesting if you could take a look at the Steyr Hahn P.16 machine pistol variant, I think they are very very VERY scarce, as only several hundred existed during WW1. A PDW almost as old as the semi automatic pistol itself.

It's mechanisms like this we need more of. If only people weren't so obsessed with a "trigger".

I noticed in the description that you mentioned many being exported to Australia. This is off the top of my head but i remember reading about how Australia was infested with rabbits at sometime.

it reminds me of my lithgow model 1b, obviously not the trigger but the single thumb screw holding the stock together, the manual cocking bolt, even the style of extractor is virtually the same

I cant wait to see in range do a video on those thumb trigger AR's that are being advertised on instagram.

Iv never seen a thumb trigger weapon 😊 always learning something new.

That striker design reminds me a lot of the Crickett .22 that my son has. I'm surprised someone else hasn't done a simple model like this for kids.

my grandfather lost most of his index finger on his right hand, he used a Winchester Thumb Trigger as a squirrel/rabbit gun for YEARS... not sure where it ultimately ended up after he passed away in the late 90's...

That's elegant not crude.

I love the simplicity here, and the takedown means it would make a good little pack gun.

I own Winchester Model 36 9 MM shotgun that looks very similar to this rifle. The stock, bolt, cocking piece, barrel, and extractor look identical. However it does have a standard trigger and trigger guard.

It seems like it would be really easy to make a lever gun with this style of trigger. THAT would be awesome

almost identical mechanically to a model 67, but on the bottom of the sear/extractor it has a hook that the trigger pulls down. side note, you can put a 22 in there in front of the extractor and it will snap under the rim when you put it in battery no problem

Good work as always, facinating how so many variations there are

I like this idea. Kinda wish these were still being made.

Wow. Take apart a Winchester 67 and admire the similarities. The 67 began production in 1934? Simple designs have tremendous adaptability!

I have the regular trigger version of this gun, had to do a firing pin replacement. Its a really great gun.

Back when all boys and a lot of girls were encourage to learn to shoot. The early scouting organizations taught it. Yes I know the Boy Scouts started a little later but root organizations were there and then scouts were encouraged to shoot.

Now all I can imagine is the boy from "Rescuers Down Under" going around with this rifle. Thanks Ian.

I once designed a survival knife that had a .22 revolver in the handle. This trigger system would overcome some of the engineering problems I encountered! Now if only I could drop the weight a bit more... 4 round revolver cylinder perhaps?

Very similar to my mother's Model 60 (which I still own). The 60 has a semi pistol grip and a turn down bolt, the Model 59 is similar but with a straight stock and a straight handle bolt.

"Winchester Thumblr Triggering Rifle" - I would buy one!

Looks like a number 4 without the trigger gaurd and trigger. A neat little rifle

Trigger model was one of my toys when i was a kid.

Sheridan pellet rifles used to have a thumb hold-down safety. They claimed it made you hold it in such a way that it improved accuracy. I've learned that if I hold most guns in that way, they were right, it usually IS more accurate

A centerfire version of this at the dawn of cartridge case era might have changed history. I could have imagined a multi lug version doing well in competition with trap doors in terms of durability and ease of maintainence.

More elegant than crude - love it. Someone should bring this back.

I have one the same model, but mine has a trigger and fancy guard for it. Pretty cool.

My girlfriend inherited one of these from her father. My cousin is cleaning it up.

Ian, could you try to Find the Wz.48 I believe it's called. What it is, is a .22 Polish Mosin Nagant trainer rifle. if you ever find one could you try to do a video on it? Also thank you for your great videos

extreme reliable and durable design single shot rifle but very accurate

Я не понимаю импортного языка, но вижу, что стреляет такой винчестер точнее, а всё дело в удобно расположенной спусковой клавише,в виде грибка, расположенной в начале ствола. Нажимая её большим пальцем, происходит выстрел без смещения ствола в сторону , или вверх, что произошло бы ,если курок имел бы знакомую форму и срабатывал от нажатия на спусковой крючёк , расположенный внизу , под стволом винчестера.Простота и надёжность такого расположения спускового механизма этого ружья, пользовалась спросом у военных лишённых остальных пальцев на руке или у людей служивших в холодных местах , где оголять кисть руки , для выстрела , сопутствовало обморожению. Это довольно таки удобное оружие было того времени и состояло из небольшого количества составляющих деталей, что в свою очередь не усложняло его ,а значит удешевляло выпуск его ,и упрощало в ремонте .

very good...I'm Pedro, from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, very cool ... I have a simple shot, model 1902, shots well, but the capsule does not eject ... is locked and I need to push with a bar through the barrel. what would it be possible to do?

its a very simple,unique and interesting trigger mechanism in this rifle,i have never seen something like this before

I want one of these. This is awesome.

Esse Rifle Winchester calibre.22LR, veio muito para o Brasil através dos barqueiros

I still got one and they are amazingly accurate and reliable