In House Shipping:
Make: Winchester
Model: Thumb Trigger Model (Modified 1902)
Serial Number: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: 1904-1923 (75,000 units sold) Designation changed to “Model 99” in 1920.
Caliber: .22 Short & Long
Action Type: Bolt Action, Rimfire, Single-Shot, Manual Cocking Striker, with ejector
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece wood with straight grip, straight comb, thumb screw takedown, and Winchester checkered hard rubber buttplate. The thumb trigger is located behind the receiver below the striker. There are scattered compressions and small nicks. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few minor losses around the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is some minor erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows infrequent thinning throughout. There is light intermittent oxidation as well as erosion that concentrates at the muzzle with pinprick pitting. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The thumb trigger is extremely light and the striker has to be positioned just right for it to catch, otherwise it just slips immediately forward. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a fascinating and increasingly rare example of Winchester's "Thumb Trigger" Model—an early 20th-century innovation that predates the concept of traditional trigger guards. Introduced in 1904 as a modified Model 1902, the Thumb Trigger rifle featured an unconventional firing mechanism: a small, rear-mounted thumb lever in place of a standard trigger. Designed as a youth or beginner’s rifle, it allowed new shooters to manually cock the striker and fire with a deliberate downward press of the thumb. Though later designated the Model 99 in 1920, only about 75,000 were ever produced before the line ended in 1923.
This rifle remains in Very Good condition, retaining approximately 75% of its blued finish, likely reapplied at some point in its lifetime. It shows signs of honest use with light oxidation and isolated pitting near the muzzle. The wood is solid with only minor compressions and no structural issues. The bore is bright with strong rifling, which is a welcome surprise for a rifle of this era. The unique thumb trigger and cocking mechanism are fully functional and remain the centerpiece of this collectible rifle’s appeal.
With its distinctive operation and limited production, the Thumb Trigger Model is a standout for collectors of early Winchester rimfires or pre-WWII American firearms. Its blend of quirky design and practical simplicity makes it both historically important and mechanically intriguing—a true piece of innovation from the formative years of American sporting arms.