Winchester Repeating Arms Company went into receivership in 1931, and was bought at bankruptcy auction by the Olin family’s Western Cartridge Company on December 22 of that year. Oliver Winchester’s firm would maintain a nominal existence until 1935, when Western Cartridge merged with its subsidiary to form Winchester-Western Company; in 1944 the firearms and ammunition operations would be reorganized as the Winchester-Western Division of Olin Industries.

Winchester’s historical catalogs and manuals provide a detailed look at the evolution of firearm design, craftsmanship, and marketing over the decades. These publications not only highlight the mechanical innovations of Winchester’s iconic lever-action rifles and shotguns but also serve as valuable collector’s resources for firearm enthusiasts, historians, and restorers.

Many of these catalogs include:

• Exploded diagrams and schematics used by gunsmiths and restorers.
• Detailed specifications that document changes in Winchester models over time.
• Marketing and sales materials that reflect how Winchester promoted firearms in different historical periods.
• Rare product variations and accessories that might not be commonly known.

For collectors and researchers, these reprints offer a window into the past, showing how Winchester positioned itself as a leader in the firearms industry. Whether you’re looking for historical data on a specific rifle model or a complete reprint of an original catalog, this collection is an essential resource.

MANUALS FOR OLD WINCHESTERS – Winchester Catalogs from 1875 through 1920 contained operation manuals for all guns in the catalog (see the index with each catalog) including cutaway drawings and component parts pictures. Note that there are two tabs below, one for catalogs and one for manuals.