‘Garden Gun’ of a By-Gone Era

One hundred years ago, Winchester introduced a 9mm rimfire shotgun, often called a “garden gun,” for close-range pest control in the backyard or as a lightweight “survival gun.” Today, the Winchester Model 36 is a rare vintage collectible. It was one of roughly 20,000 manufactured between 1920 and 1927–on a patent set in 1899, according to the stamp on this gun’s barrel.

At first glance, it might look like any of the old Model 1900 series .22 caliber rifles of that era, but a closer look at that bolt action and the size of that smooth-bore reveals something else: A single-shot bolt action chambered for 9mm Flobert Rimfire shotshells.

The Model 36's 18-inch barrel and compact 33.5-inch overall length make it lightweight and easy to handle. Its one-piece plain stock and forearm and its uniquely shaped trigger guard give it a distinctive look.

The Model 36 we have listed has a fitted gun sleeve that has protected this firearm for many of its 100 years.

As a pre-WWII Winchester firearm, the Model 36 holds significant historical value and is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Only a limited number of examples remain in circulation, but this firearm, though used, remains a fantastic addition to any collection.

And can you fire it? Absolutely, but it comes at a cost of about $1.20 per round. Fiocchi still offers the 9mm RF Flobert ammo, available through Midway USA in shot sizes No. 6 ½-9. A box of 50 rounds is listed at $59.99. The specs show that a quarter ounce, about 109 grains, of No. 9 shot translates to about 146 pellets flying downrange at about 600 fps.