An American Legend Dies ~ Winchester's Demise
2348
Recreation & Sports > Hunting
Mar 1, 2007
John McQueen
An American Legend Dies ~ Winchester's Demise
On March 31, 2006, with very little notice, an American Legend died and a big piece of Americana quietly faded into the dustbin of history. On that day, U.S. Repeating Arms Co., maker of Winchester Rifles closed their New Haven, Connecticut plant for good, ending the life of a product so closely intertwined in the growth and history of our country that the two are almost inseparable. This involvement began in 1857 when Oliver Winchester acquired and restructured the failing Volcanic Repeating Firearms Co., subsequently changing the name to Winchester. During a large part of their 149 year existence, the name Winchester was synonymous with rifles, especially the lever action rifle, which began with the Henry Rifle, a lever action rifle that fired a metallic cased cartridge and held 16 rounds. It began appearing in the hands of Union Soldiers in 1862 and was quickly cursed by Confederate Troops as "that damn Yankee rifle they load on Sunday and shoot all week."
Next came the 1866 model, dubbed "Yellow Boy" by the Indians because of its bright brass frame, protected the pioneers on their trek during the Westward Migration after the Civil War. The Yellow Boy was followed by the Model 1873 known as "The Gun That Won The West" and was found over the fireplaces of settlers cabins and in the teepees of some Indians. It rode in the saddle scabbards of cowboys and armed lawmen and outlaws alike.
The culmination of all of this was the introduction of the model 1894, destined to be one of the few firearms to be in continuous production for over 100 years and the best selling center fire rifle Winchester ever made. More deer have been taken with the Winchester 1894 Rifle than any other rifle made.
In addition, Winchester made the Model 70 bolt-action rifle that became known as "the Rifleman's Rifle". Found in hunting camps the world over, it has taken every species of game animal on the planet. Winchester also worked 24/7 producing rifles for our Doughboys in World War I and for their sons, the GI's of World War II.
Please pardon my nostalgia, but it saddens me to think my grandsons and other boys will never know the thrill of opening a long narrow box and finding their first rifle therein with Winchester stamped on the barrel, as this writer did on his 15th birthday.
Thanks Winchester, not only for the memories, but also for playing such an important and integral part in this Nation's history. You will be sadly missed. Matt Scott is a freelance writer and long-time hand gun and long gun buff who owns and operates MattsNewAndUsedGuns.com. Please visit his site for information on firearms, ammunition and firearms accessories.
Next came the 1866 model, dubbed "Yellow Boy" by the Indians because of its bright brass frame, protected the pioneers on their trek during the Westward Migration after the Civil War. The Yellow Boy was followed by the Model 1873 known as "The Gun That Won The West" and was found over the fireplaces of settlers cabins and in the teepees of some Indians. It rode in the saddle scabbards of cowboys and armed lawmen and outlaws alike.
The culmination of all of this was the introduction of the model 1894, destined to be one of the few firearms to be in continuous production for over 100 years and the best selling center fire rifle Winchester ever made. More deer have been taken with the Winchester 1894 Rifle than any other rifle made.
In addition, Winchester made the Model 70 bolt-action rifle that became known as "the Rifleman's Rifle". Found in hunting camps the world over, it has taken every species of game animal on the planet. Winchester also worked 24/7 producing rifles for our Doughboys in World War I and for their sons, the GI's of World War II.
Please pardon my nostalgia, but it saddens me to think my grandsons and other boys will never know the thrill of opening a long narrow box and finding their first rifle therein with Winchester stamped on the barrel, as this writer did on his 15th birthday.
Thanks Winchester, not only for the memories, but also for playing such an important and integral part in this Nation's history. You will be sadly missed. Matt Scott is a freelance writer and long-time hand gun and long gun buff who owns and operates MattsNewAndUsedGuns.com. Please visit his site for information on firearms, ammunition and firearms accessories.
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
On March 31, 2006, with very little notice, an American Legend died and a big piece of Americana quietly faded into the dustbin of history. On that day, U.S. Repeating Arms Co., maker of Winchester Rifles closed their New Haven, Connecticut plant for
Category:
Article writers are submitting their articles to hundreds of article directories to offer publishers free ctent and to provide themselves with a marketing tool for their website. As an administrator for e of the fastest growing article directories
Category:
Ready...Se...Go! If you are no submiing aricles o aricle direcory web sies, which perain o your sie's conen and heme, you are missing he proverbial boa on gaining addiional populariy for your web sie and valuable, one-way links back
Category:
If you have done any article directory surfing, you have probably noticed all types of article directory designs. You may have run across those that are visually impressive and enjoyable to look at it. They make you stop and ask yourself the following
Category:
Other links at Recreation & Sports > Hunting
Hunting knives are more than a tool for most hunters. A hunting knife is a conversation piece and whether the rugged hunter will admit it or not, it is part of the stylish wardrobe.
Category:
This article takes a look at bear hunting issues for the hunter. What are the various hunting dog breeds for this purpose? Can traps be used legally? Find out inside...
Category:
The great outdoors offers a huge number of opportunities for reclaiming your one-on-one enjoyment with nature though activities such as hunting fishing and hiking or camping.
Category:
Some people like to hunt the birds instead of deer or rabbit. It is mostly depending on their taste of which animal they like to supper. But trailing the traces or track of birds can become easier if we can have guidance to recognize them.
Category:
There?s just something about the thrill of the chase that?s perhaps even more appealing to deer hunters than the actual kill itself. A process that harkens back to primeval times, hunting is about more than the act itself. In days gone by, it was
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68309
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
