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Plant closing ends run for traditional Winchester rifles
The Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA) ^ | 19 February 2006

Posted on 02/19/2006 5:23:09 PM PST by Lorianne

Traditional Winchester rifles, including the famous Model 94, will no longer be produced when the plant in New Haven, Conn., closes March 31.

Modern, high-end rifles bearing the Winchester name will be produced in Belgium, Japan and Portugal, according to Robert Sauvage, a spokesman for the Herstal Group, the Belgium company that owns U.S. Repeating Arms and the rights to the Winchester name.

The Model 1894 appeared on the American scene in August 1895 and changed the world of shooting almost overnight.

It was chambered for the .30-30 and .25-35 cartridges. You could get the lever action in a rifle with a 26-inch barrel or as a carbine with a 20-inch barrel. The cost was only $18. Today, the original Model 1894 in excellent condition will bring in the vicinity of $1,500, according to Stoeger’s Gun Trader’s Guide.

It’s interesting to note with Winchester rifles manufactured before 1918 that the date of manufacture was used as the model number. So Winchesters produced before 1918 would be called the Model 1894. After 1918 Winchester went to a two-digit model number and the Model 1894 became known as the Model 94.

Early Model 1894 Winchesters, those made before 1918, came in other calibers including the .32-40, .32 Special and .38-55.

Most had a seven-shot tubular magazine and some came with a 4-shot or half magazine. The gun came with round, octagon or half-octagon barrels.

While the .30-30 cartridge was not the first smokeless cartridge developed, it was the first smokeless “sporting” cartridge of its time. The 160 grain jacketed bullet left the muzzle of the Model 1894 at a speedy 1,970 feet per second. Fast for those early days.

The Winchester Model 94 is without a doubt the most recognizable rifle of all time. Various editions have been presented to dignitaries, and one with the serial number 1,000,000 was presented to President Calvin Coolidge. Another, with the serial number 1,500,000 was given to President Harry Truman.

Today serial numbers have surpassed 5,000,000.

A western movie wouldn’t be a western movie if the likes of Gary Cooper, Tex Ritter, Rex Allen, Randolph Scott, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers and the Lone Ranger didn’t carry a Model 94 in their saddle scabbard.

While John Wayne carried the Model 1892 (Model 92) in many of his early movies, he began carrying a Model 94 with the hoop finger lever in the film True Grit.

It’s no doubt the value of even the newer Model 94’s will escalate in price. The price suggested for the Winchester 94 Legacy in Shooter’s Bible is suggested at $485 for the round barrel and $882 for the octagon barrel.

If you have an older Model 94, say pre-WWII and with a serial number less than 1,300,000, it will get around $1000. A Model 94 pre-1964 with serial number below 2,700,00 will bring more than $600.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Winchester could be bought back by an American company, produced in the same plant in New Haven that once employed 19,000 during WWII? This way the “Gun the Won the West” could ride back onto the American scene like Harley-Davidson?


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; US: Connecticut
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; manufacturing; theend; winchester
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To: stopem
A couple reasons, I think. One, demand is dropping, according to FN, so it's not profitable to keep USRAC open. There's also been labor issues going on for a long time. Second, the term of FN's license on the Winchester name is coming up. The name actually belongs to Orlin, which is the manufacturer of Winchester branded ammo.

My guess is that the "classics" will still be built in the future (keep in mind that the patents on them expired decades ago, its' the name that's copyrighted), but it'll be done in Belgium or Japan under the Browning name, which FN owns outright.

21 posted on 02/19/2006 5:45:35 PM PST by Tree of Liberty (requiescat in pace, President Reagan)
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To: GSlob

I think I'm going out to buy a Winchester Classic or pre 64 in a .308 or a 30-06 this week.

I may go out and buy a few more shotguns too.


22 posted on 02/19/2006 5:46:13 PM PST by I got the rope
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To: ol' hoghead

Glad I bought a couple, including a never fired bicentenial special edition, just after the news hit.


23 posted on 02/19/2006 5:46:20 PM PST by Tree of Liberty (requiescat in pace, President Reagan)
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To: Lorianne
A western movie wouldn’t be a western movie if the likes of Gary Cooper, Tex Ritter, Rex Allen, Randolph Scott, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers and the Lone Ranger didn’t carry a Model 94 in their saddle scabbard.

Which is historically inaccurate, as it was the model 1873 Winchester that "Won the West."

24 posted on 02/19/2006 5:46:28 PM PST by Inyo-Mono (Life is like a cow pasture, it's hard to get through without stepping in some mess. NRA.)
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To: mwyounce
Anyone heard if Olin is going to license the Winchester name to another manufacturer?

A gun store owner I talked to said they're still going to market ammunition and reloading supplies under the Winchester name.

25 posted on 02/19/2006 5:47:17 PM PST by CFC__VRWC ("Anytime a liberal squeals in outrage, an angel gets its wings!" - gidget7)
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To: Ironclad

PING!


26 posted on 02/19/2006 5:47:33 PM PST by Henchster
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To: I got the rope

It'll probably cost you. The shop that I bought mine from had one left, built in 1950 and in 30-30win, for about $950.


27 posted on 02/19/2006 5:49:06 PM PST by Tree of Liberty (requiescat in pace, President Reagan)
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To: BW2221
Another American icon that's now foreign-owned.

Owned by Browning Arms, a company founded by John Browning, the inventor of the Model 94.

One of the replica makers will be making Model 94s within a year, and making them better than Winchester has since WWII.

SO9

28 posted on 02/19/2006 5:49:31 PM PST by Servant of the 9 (Trust Me)
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To: CFC__VRWC
A gun store owner I talked to said they're still going to market ammunition and reloading supplies under the Winchester name.

My understanding is that Olin owns the Winchester brand name and makes the ammo, but had a contract with U.S. Repeating Arms to manufacture rifles under the Winchester name.... that contract is due to expire next year anyway, whether this came about or not.

29 posted on 02/19/2006 5:50:26 PM PST by mwyounce
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To: Lorianne
I always thought the model 94 or a Marlin would make a good rural guerilla rifle.

The fact that you can keep topping off the magazine from loose rounds is a great feature. Shoot one, load one, and still have those in the mag available just in case.

30 posted on 02/19/2006 5:53:20 PM PST by yarddog
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To: ol' hoghead

Had a model '92 .25-20 caliber when I was a kid. Pawned it to buy a wedding present for my friends sister, never got it back.


31 posted on 02/19/2006 5:58:52 PM PST by Ed Condon (Wanted, newer tag line in good condition.)
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To: Tree of Liberty

Do you want to sell it? LOL.


32 posted on 02/19/2006 6:00:06 PM PST by I got the rope
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To: Servant of the 9
John Browning, the inventor of the Model 94...and the 1886
33 posted on 02/19/2006 6:00:49 PM PST by ol' hoghead (Some fiend stole my corkscrew. I've had nothing but food and water to live on this week)
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To: yarddog

I have one in .32 special with a serial number around 1.8 million. A hand-me down. Shot my first two whitetails with it, dropped them both where they stood, both shots at around 40 yards. Someone suggested I not hunt with it anymore, cause of its age/value. I now have other Winchesters, Remingtons, and a Sako to use.


34 posted on 02/19/2006 6:04:15 PM PST by Simo Hayha (An eduction is incomplete without instruction in the use of arms to defend against harm.)
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To: Lorianne
the good thing is that they might knock down that freaking minaret that's been atop the old factory and visible to all passers.

googled for a link to a photo but to no avail...

35 posted on 02/19/2006 6:07:19 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (i'd rather hunt with Cheney than drive with Kennedy)
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To: GSlob

Fortunately, I got my model 70 about fifteen or so years ago. It is not a pre 64 but a very good rifle that has done everything I needed it to do. The .270 has been just right for me, but now it sits in my guncase waiting for me to give it to an heir. Having lost my right eye to retinal detachment, I have been unable to shoot for the past few years. It has taken deer, bobcat and turkey. The reason for the turkey is the fall turkey season that runs parallel with deer in Virginia. Rifle is permitted.

That is more than anyone wants to know, but I do love my Winchester. I also own two Winchester Model 12 shotguns.


36 posted on 02/19/2006 6:09:32 PM PST by billhilly (The Democrat symbol is no longer the donkey, it's a strait Jacket.)
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To: ol' hoghead
John Browning, the inventor of the Model 94...and the 1886

And the 1885, 1892, 1895, 1897 and many many more, effectively every Winchester between 1885 and 1900 except the Lee Navy straight pull rifle.

So9

37 posted on 02/19/2006 6:11:22 PM PST by Servant of the 9 (Trust Me)
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To: Simo Hayha
Around 15 years ago I was forced to sell nearly all my guns for financial reasons. I am very slowly rebuilding my collection.

The only lever action I have now is a Marlin model 94CL in 32-20. For any performance it is necessary to reload as the factory ammo is really weak.

38 posted on 02/19/2006 6:12:51 PM PST by yarddog
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To: Lorianne
Legacy Sports offers this Puma model. They've been around awhile.


39 posted on 02/19/2006 6:13:11 PM PST by umgud (gitrdun)
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To: Lorianne

Interesting read.

I used to work for Marlin, another New Haven rifle maker.


40 posted on 02/19/2006 6:13:18 PM PST by Mr. Brightside (I know what I like.)
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