Manufactured in circa 1963, this is one of very few surviving examples of the Experimental Winchester Model 100 semi-automatic rifle. Winchester started development of the Model 50 and 100 action in the late 50s in hopes of landing a government contract for a lightweight semi-automatic military rifle in the competition sponsored by the United States Army Continental Army Command. Winchester decided instead to ignore the action design of the Model 50 and 100 and build a rifle on the Model G30R Williams' pattern which was perfected in 1944. The rifle never went into production. The only visible markings on the rifle are "CAL. 7.62 NATO" on the left rear directly behind the rear sight, "WRP" in an oval on the left side of the barrel and receiver at the breech and the serial number "65809" on the left front of the receiver. The ramped front sight is integral to a bayonet lug and the rear sight is a folding single leaf. On the left side of the stock just ahead of the trigger is a base for a grenade launcher. The top and left rear of the receiver are factory drilled and tapped for scope/sight mounting. The bottom of the box magazine is marked "WINCHESTER/TRADE MARK" and the follower is marked "M-100". All metal surfaces are parkerized and the rifle is mounted with a one-piece oiled walnut pistol grip stock with a checkered hard rubber shotgun buttplate. Complete with a green military canvas sling ink stamped "MRT 7-59". There is a brief excerpt in reference to the Model 100 rifle and a photograph of one identical to this rifle (without a sling) on page 299 in "Winchester Repeating Arms Company History and Development from 1865 to 1981" by Herbert G Houze.

Excellent. The rifle retains 98% plus original parkerized finish with some minor wear on the bayonet lug, and overall a few light scuffs and scratches. The stock is also excellent with a minor scratch next to the grenade launcher base and overall a few minor handling marks. The sling is excellent. The markings are crisp. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic addition to even the most comprehensive military collection. This is the only example we have ever offered at auction, extremely rare!