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

Colt Optics Riflescopes 01
Colt Optics Riflescopes 01

Pony Power: Colt Launches Optics Division with VMR Riflescopes

Colt Optics grew out of a market where military, law enforcement and civilian customers increasingly expect a firearms manufacturer to offer a complete package that goes beyond just the firearm

The Mysterious Mondragón: Mexico's Unique Self-Loading Military Rifle

Flawed in many ways, the Model 1908 Mondragón offered a preview of infantry rifles to come. And the circumstances of the Mondragón’s birth showed that not all firearm innovation comes from the hallowed halls of Springfield, Colt, Mauser or Enfield. 

Meet an Australian Visiting America to Warn Us

Australian political commentator Topher Field has come to America on its 250th birthday to speak and meet people and to bring the message that Australia’s gun confiscation should not be used as a template for the United States.

NRA-ILA’s John Commerford on What’s to Come for America’s Rifle

When the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases—Grant v. Higgins and Viramontes v. Cook County, Illinois—that challenge bans on popular semi-automatic rifles in its next term, fear and trepidation ran like tremors through the public statements of anti-gun groups and the politicians they support.

Gun of the Week: GForce Arms LVR410

When it comes to the lever-action platforms, rifles abound, but the concept has been rarely applied to shotguns. Today, only a few makers offer lever-action shotguns, and one of those is GForce Arms and its LVR410.

The Armed Citizen® July 10, 2026

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

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.