The path to an American sporting Mauser: Examining the Winchester ‘Alphabet’ series rifles

Abstract

This article examines the ‘Alphabet’ series of prototype rifles which were developed at Winchester between 1912 and 1934, ultimately culminating in the Models 54 and 70. Drawing upon original research conducted in the Winchester archive at the Cody Firearms Museum and through physical examination of extant ‘Alphabet’ rifles, the authors have been able to more fully map the lineage of the influential Model 70 and its predecessors and, in particular, clearly articulate the connection this American icon shares with the famous Mauser rifles of 1871—1898.