Winchester Celebrates 150th Anniversary

posted on January 15, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
win150box.jpg
What do you give someone who is celebrating a 150th anniversary? If Oliver Winchester--who brought his iconic brand to the world in 1866--were alive, paper, cotton or even silver and gold wouldn't quite seem adequate, regardless of what Hallmark tells us. Perhaps we offer a sincere round of applause and our deepest gratitude to the man who built a company that has earned and sustained a legendary spot in American history. 

"Winchester is a brand at the very core of the shooting sports and hunting heritage and it's humbling to know we have helped write history," said Brett Flaugher, vice president of marketing, sales and strategy. "With so many reputable companies in this industry today, we are fortunate to have such a rich legacy that we can share with our customers, our families and those who appreciate our contributions. Our brand is built on integrity, hard work and a deep focus on its most loyal customers. With a deep emphasis on innovative products, the Winchester brand remains one of the most recognized and respected brands around the world."

From the local outdoors stores to Winchester.com, and even a new television series titled "Winchester Life," the anniversary milestone celebration will be carried through many outlets in 2016 including a 150th Winchester historical timeline

"This is our opportunity to share with the world, the history of Winchester, but also the story of a brand at the forefront of engineering excellence and new technologies in the development of ammunition and firearms," said Flaugher. 

Winchester's year-long celebration will include the introduction of five limited-edition commemorative rifles--the first of which will be this Model 1866 “Yellow Boy” lever-action offered in .44-40 Win.
The Model 1866 150th Commemorative Custom Grade will be offered in 44-40 Win. and features a custom Grade V/VI walnut straight grip stock that has a satin oil finish and classic rifle-style forearms. Custom 150th Anniversary engraving is featured on the polished brass receiver, lifter, lever, crescent buttplate and forearm cap in the classic Ulrich style. The famous Winchester Horse and Rider logo and the WRA scroll trademark are included in the engraving. The deeply polished, full octagon 24” barrel features a gold barrel band, plus special Winchester 150th Anniversary script and scroll engraving on the top of the barrel. The ladder-style carbine rear sight with blade front sight emulates the original. The receiver top tang is drilled and tapped for an optional tang-mounted rear sight. Overall length is 43” and weight is 7 ½ lbs. MSRP: $3,329.99

Stay tuned to AmericanRifleman.org all year for more special anniversary coverage. For more, go to Winchester.com. For more on Winchester firearms, please WinchesterGuns.com visit 

Latest

reloading a revolver
reloading a revolver

Rapid Reloads For Revolvers

Wheelguns are still a viable option for self-defense, offering some real advantages—but keeping them in the fight requires mastering a few tools and techniques.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

A Look Back At Marlin's Model 9 Camp Carbine

This Dope Bag review from 1985 delves into one of Marlin’s classics, a blowback-operated repeater in 9 mm known by collectors today as the Camp Carbine.

An Energetics Juggernaut: D&M Holding Co.

Based in Tampa, Fla., and Cabot, Ark., D&M has also expanded into the design and manufacture of equipment used to produce energetics for use in arms ranging from handguns to artillery, including providing site and floor planning, equipment manufacture, critical know-how and ’round-the-clock support for its clients.

Hatsan Updates Escort Optima Shotgun

First announced at SHOT Show 2025 with a host of new features, Hatsan USA's updated Escort Optima over-under shotguns are now available and shipping.

Preview: Breakthrough Clean Technologies Muzzle Pro

Once upon a time, the word “plastic” was not associated with muzzleloading arms; however, today, polymers are associated with bullets and powders used in modern muzzleloading, and Breakthrough Clean has the just-right solution to do the clean-up.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.