They also made flashlights, radiators, and salt shakers.
Winchester tested the durability of their skates by having 16 year old Bob Lawrence skate around the plant one summer, 4 hours a day racking up almost 200 miles. This was because there was no way of easily testing the skates in a lab.
A fascinating book is “Winchester : The Way it Really Was” by Pauline Muerrle, the only woman ever to work in their custom shop and last custom shop engraver.