Leverguns Winchester History page

A short timeline of Winchester levergun production
(this gives highlights only and is not a complete history)

Year - Event
1849 The Hunt Volition Repeater with it's "Rocket Ball" ammunition is invented.
1850 The Jennings repeating rifle carries on Hunt's work.
1854 Smith joins Wesson and produces lever action repeating pistols.
1855 The name is changed to The  Volcanic Repeating Arms Company.
Oliver Winchester buys stock in Volcanic Repeating Arms.
Volcanic carbine introduced
1856 Offices moved to New Haven, Connecticut. Name changed to New Haven Arms Company.
1860 Henry rifle patented.
1866 Oliver Winchester buys control of New Haven Arms Company and changes name to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
Model 1866 "Yellow Boy" lever action introduced -- first gun to bear the Winchester name.
1873 Model 1873 lever action rifle introduced in centerfire and rimfire.
1876 Model 1876 lever action rifle introduced.
1886 Model 1886 lever action rifle introduced.
1887 Model 1887 lever action shotgun introduced.
1892 Model 1892 lever action rifle introduced.
1894 Model 1894 lever action rifle introduced.
1895 Model 1895  lever action rifle introduced.
1935 Model 71 lever action rifle introduced.
1972 Model 9422 .22 rimfire lever action rifle introduced.
1979 Model 94 XTR lever action rifle introduced.
Model 94 XTR Big Bore lever action rifle introduced.
1981 U.S. Repeating Arms Company is formed and continues manufacturing Winchester brand rifles and shotguns in New Haven, Connecticut, under license from Olin Corporation.
1984 Model 94 angle eject lever action rifle introduced.
1985 Model 94 angle eject standard Big Bore carbine lever action introduced.
Model 9422 XTR rifle and Classic rifle in standard or magnum calibers
1992 New management at U.S. Repeating Arms. Plans for entirely new, modern production facility in New Haven, Connecticut, under license from Olin Corporation.
1994 One Hundredth Anniversary of the Winchester Model 94 lever action. Specially engraved anniversary models are offered to commemorate the most famous of all Winchester lever actions.  Its design and effectiveness is so superior that it remains one of the most popular deer rifles in the world.
1997 Model 1895 Grade I lever action rifle introduced.
Model 1892 High Grade and Grade I lever action rifle introduced.
1998 Model 1886 High Grade lever action rifle introduced.
Model 94 Black Shadow lever action rifle introduced.
2000 Winchester offers historic rifles in the extra light Model 1886, and the Model 1895 in 405 Winchester.
2001

Model 1895 in 405 caliber again announced in a Grade I and High Grade.
Model 94 “Classic Custom” limited edition in 38-55 announced.
2002 Model 94 in 480 Ruger offered and an exquisite, I of 1000, and 1 of 100 Heritage Model 94 Limited edition in 38-55 caliber lever action rifles are introduced.