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Winchester: An American Legend
The most lavish work ever produced on American long arms, this book has been published with the full cooperation of the Winchester Division of the Olin Corporation, as well as Winchester licensee, the U.S. Repeating Arms Company.
The book's large format presents many of the firearms in exquisite close-ups, accompanied by substantial details of history, development, and significance. Variations within model groups are given ample attention, and the book's organization gives an unequaled overview of nearly a century and a half of Winchester achievement. A unique, comprehensive table in the appendix gives serial numbers and related production data previously unavailable in any one source.
Every collector and enthusiast will delight in its broad appeal, with over 300 photographs in full color and more than 165 in black and white.
The book's large format presents many of the firearms in exquisite close-ups, accompanied by substantial details of history, development, and significance. Variations within model groups are given ample attention, and the book's organization gives an unequaled overview of nearly a century and a half of Winchester achievement. A unique, comprehensive table in the appendix gives serial numbers and related production data previously unavailable in any one source.
Every collector and enthusiast will delight in its broad appeal, with over 300 photographs in full color and more than 165 in black and white.
404 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
15 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Wilson
99 books9 followersRobert L. "Larry" Wilson was one of America's leading authorities on antique firearms. He was the author of illustrated and detailed books regarding the histories of various firearm companies, the art of firearm engraving and embellishment, and Sam Colt, inventor of the revolver. He consulted for, and advised, museums around the world.
As an undergraduate student, Wilson studied history and art at Carleton College. Wilson's first book,Samuel Colt Presents, was published in 1961 when he was 22 years old. His most recent publication, History and Art of the American Gun, was published in 2016, and during that span of 55 years, Wilson averaged approximately one book per year.
In addition to authoring more than 50 books, Wilson also penned 325 articles for a variety of magazines and periodicals and wrote countless gun descriptions for firearm auction catalogs.
Wilson passed away December 10, 2016, in his San Francisco home. He was 77 years old.
As an undergraduate student, Wilson studied history and art at Carleton College. Wilson's first book,Samuel Colt Presents, was published in 1961 when he was 22 years old. His most recent publication, History and Art of the American Gun, was published in 2016, and during that span of 55 years, Wilson averaged approximately one book per year.
In addition to authoring more than 50 books, Wilson also penned 325 articles for a variety of magazines and periodicals and wrote countless gun descriptions for firearm auction catalogs.
Wilson passed away December 10, 2016, in his San Francisco home. He was 77 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2014
First the good part.
This is a terrific coffee-table book. Beautifully illustrated with page after page of fantastic color photography. For those who are interested in Winchester firearms ,and rifles and shotguns in general, this book is a feast for the eyes. It belongs in every self-respecting gun-owner's library. One will literally refer back to this book innumerable times to find the dates of manufacture for a specific model, the serial number to date the year that one's Winchester was made and just to see what different models looked like.
Now for the bad part.
This book is light on details about the company's history and in-depth details regarding the various models. So if one is looking for just such a book Mr. Wilson's edition will disappoint. There is some information, but not a lot. Also the book was published in 1991 and is now outdated regarding the current state of affairs of the United States Repeating Firearms Company (i.e. Winchester). I suggest that if you want to know more about the history of the company and it's products two good books to start with would be John M. Browning: American Gunmaker and Winchester the Gun That Won the West by Harold F. Williamson.
Actually read those two books then buy Mr. Wilson's book. They'll make an outstanding Trifecta.
This is a terrific coffee-table book. Beautifully illustrated with page after page of fantastic color photography. For those who are interested in Winchester firearms ,and rifles and shotguns in general, this book is a feast for the eyes. It belongs in every self-respecting gun-owner's library. One will literally refer back to this book innumerable times to find the dates of manufacture for a specific model, the serial number to date the year that one's Winchester was made and just to see what different models looked like.
Now for the bad part.
This book is light on details about the company's history and in-depth details regarding the various models. So if one is looking for just such a book Mr. Wilson's edition will disappoint. There is some information, but not a lot. Also the book was published in 1991 and is now outdated regarding the current state of affairs of the United States Repeating Firearms Company (i.e. Winchester). I suggest that if you want to know more about the history of the company and it's products two good books to start with would be John M. Browning: American Gunmaker and Winchester the Gun That Won the West by Harold F. Williamson.
Actually read those two books then buy Mr. Wilson's book. They'll make an outstanding Trifecta.
December 21, 2017
This is simply a beautiful book of priceless Americana. R.L. Wilson knows more about Winchester guns than just about anybody. He has put together a book of illustrations which are dominated by the large-format Ektachromes taken by photographer Allan Brown, and the quality of the photos and their art direction are outstanding. The well-chosen subject matter in the pictures perfectly complements the story of the company which became a world-class industrial empire under Oliver F. Winchester in the 1850's and produced the iconic Henry and Winchester lever action rifles which have always been admired for their aesthetics as well as their widespread use during the Western expansion period of the United States.
Everything produced under the Winchester trademark and its predecessors is included in detail in this book, including the earlier Smith & Wesson and Volcanic products, and the extensive listing of all kinds of rifles and shotguns. One revelation of the book is that Winchester also owned hardware stores and produced all kinds of tools, home products and sporting goods at one time.
Early chapters, appropriately, extensively document the most famous of Winchesters, the 1866, and 1873 and 1876 lever action rifles. These are the guns that were used extensively in the West during the nineteenth century; the only guns which share their iconic status are the Colt pistols, of which Wilson, a peerless expert, has also written beautifully illustrated histories.
Of course, many other firearms were made by Winchester over the years, and extensive coverage is especially given to the various types, including the famous Model 21 shotgun and Model 70 rifle. Wilson is also a collector and he provides extensive data from the firearms company on production figures, serial number ranges and ballistics data of a whole range of ammunition produced by Winchester/Olin.
Almost all of the examples of the various gun models illustrated in the book are among the best preserved original, rare pieces, or those which have benefitted from metal engraving and stock carving by the best artists in the world. Wilson has been able to get the rarest of guns possessed by museums and private collectors photographed, sometimes in groupings that will probably never be seen again. One chapter contains a reproduction of a rare late-1890's Winchester "Highly Finished Arms" catalog showing some of the finest engraving that could be obtained for a price, and some surviving Models 1873, 1895, 1886, 1892 and 1894 rifles that were no doubt engraved to order from such a catalog, and in some cases may be the actual examples from the catalog.
The Winchester connection to military production is extensively documented. It's interesting to learn how much effort Oliver Winchester put into trying to obtain U.S. Army arms contracts for its world-beating Henry rifle during the Civil War, only to see several thousand of these guns supplied to just a few units. Of course, the company would produce significant numbers of arms during the World Wars, and would be a prime manufacturer of the M-14 rifle during the 1960's. I related to the author's experiences of meeting and appreciating the M-14 when he went into the Army, having qualified with both the "Winchester M-14" and "Colt M-16" during the course of Basic Training myself, when the Army was transitioning its stateside training centers from one rifle to the other.
Although this book is an excellent reference source on the subject, it is also enjoyable to read how the products of this company have been woven into the American experience, while lingering over the visual impact of the greatest assemblage of guns you can imagine.
Everything produced under the Winchester trademark and its predecessors is included in detail in this book, including the earlier Smith & Wesson and Volcanic products, and the extensive listing of all kinds of rifles and shotguns. One revelation of the book is that Winchester also owned hardware stores and produced all kinds of tools, home products and sporting goods at one time.
Early chapters, appropriately, extensively document the most famous of Winchesters, the 1866, and 1873 and 1876 lever action rifles. These are the guns that were used extensively in the West during the nineteenth century; the only guns which share their iconic status are the Colt pistols, of which Wilson, a peerless expert, has also written beautifully illustrated histories.
Of course, many other firearms were made by Winchester over the years, and extensive coverage is especially given to the various types, including the famous Model 21 shotgun and Model 70 rifle. Wilson is also a collector and he provides extensive data from the firearms company on production figures, serial number ranges and ballistics data of a whole range of ammunition produced by Winchester/Olin.
Almost all of the examples of the various gun models illustrated in the book are among the best preserved original, rare pieces, or those which have benefitted from metal engraving and stock carving by the best artists in the world. Wilson has been able to get the rarest of guns possessed by museums and private collectors photographed, sometimes in groupings that will probably never be seen again. One chapter contains a reproduction of a rare late-1890's Winchester "Highly Finished Arms" catalog showing some of the finest engraving that could be obtained for a price, and some surviving Models 1873, 1895, 1886, 1892 and 1894 rifles that were no doubt engraved to order from such a catalog, and in some cases may be the actual examples from the catalog.
The Winchester connection to military production is extensively documented. It's interesting to learn how much effort Oliver Winchester put into trying to obtain U.S. Army arms contracts for its world-beating Henry rifle during the Civil War, only to see several thousand of these guns supplied to just a few units. Of course, the company would produce significant numbers of arms during the World Wars, and would be a prime manufacturer of the M-14 rifle during the 1960's. I related to the author's experiences of meeting and appreciating the M-14 when he went into the Army, having qualified with both the "Winchester M-14" and "Colt M-16" during the course of Basic Training myself, when the Army was transitioning its stateside training centers from one rifle to the other.
Although this book is an excellent reference source on the subject, it is also enjoyable to read how the products of this company have been woven into the American experience, while lingering over the visual impact of the greatest assemblage of guns you can imagine.
July 9, 2025
Informative!
This book is packed with history and facts relating to Winchester Repeating Arms and its ancillary product offerings through its years of production. A worthwhile addition for any collector or aficionado of one the most pivotal brands in American firearms history.
This book is packed with history and facts relating to Winchester Repeating Arms and its ancillary product offerings through its years of production. A worthwhile addition for any collector or aficionado of one the most pivotal brands in American firearms history.
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June 29, 2010A neat history and some impressive works of art are prersented in this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews