Winchester thumb trigger rifle

[Oldtimer]

I was just drinking coffee and watching a squirrel dig in the yard, and got to thinking about hunting when I was a kid.  I used to live about half a mile from the city limits and would hunt on old Mr. Rice's farm.  My mother, who survived WWII, would not let me have a gun, so I would borrow Mr. Rice's Winchester thumb trigger .22.  It was light and well used (the sear was nearly worn out) even then.  I have only ever seen one other, and it was so worn that it was hard to tell that it was a gun.  I have looked on the Internet to see if I could find more information on the gun, but there is little to be found.  What I have found was that it was more popular in Canada, since it was easy to use a thumb trigger with mittens on.  Has anyone seen one or know anything about them?  I seem to remember that it was a model 1903, not to be confused with the semiauto of the same year.

[2520]

I have a neighbor who owns one of these.  It is in excellant condition.  He has had it for 70+ years an it was his first rifle.  They were only made for a few years and I expect that most of those that survived are in collections.  I have never seen another and my neighbor had no idea what he had until I told him.  Hangs on his living room wall and will go to his son I expect.

[Keith L]

My brother in law has the one that his father and family used.  It is in working condition, but most likely un-collectable.  The factory stock was ruined, and a new one carved by a family member.  He followed the original size and contour, but the finish is much better than on the original.  

No doubt a unique little gun.