WINCHESTER ARMS.
The repeating and single shot rifles, repeating shotguns, and ammunition of all kinds manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. are justly celebrated for their superiority and absolute reliability'. Over a million Winchester guns have been sold during the thirty years they have been upon the market, and to-day they are in general use all over the world. There is but one grade of Winchester guns, and that is the best. There is absolutely no difference in the quality of the materials used in the highest and lowest priced Winchester guns. Neither is there any distinction made in the tests to which dif ferent priced guns are subjected for streng,th, accuracy, and manipulation. The difference in the prices of the various styles of the different models of Winchester guns is due to the difference in exterior finish, ornamentation, or special features, which necessitate a greater amount of handwork than the standard styles. All the materials used in the manufacture of Winchester guns are the best that experience and money can procure. The barrels of the .3o and .3o3 caliber Model 1893;*.3o caliber W. C. F. and .23-33 caliber W. C. F., Model 1894;t6 m/rn. (.236) caliber Lee straight pull, U.S. Navy, and .43-7o caliber E,.xtra Light weight, Model MG:rifles are made of nickel steel, which has a tensile strength of over roo,000 pounds to the square inch. The barrels of Winchester guns of other calibers are made of extra high grade of steel, sufficiently strong to withstand much greater pres sures than could possibly be developed by the cartridges they are intended to shoot. In making the frames, actions, and other parts of Winchester guns, extra grades of steel, especially adapted to the requirements of the respective parts, are used, which insures their strength, toughness, and lasting qualities. All the metallic parts, except the magazine springs, which are made of spring steel wire, screws, etc., are drop forged, no castings of any description being used in the Winchester guns.
An invaluable feature is that of interchangeable parts. All parts of Winchester guns are made to gauge, and are strictly interchangeable. For illustration : Any Model x873 finger lever will fit any Model 1873 receiver; or, any Model 1897 shotg,un action slide will fit any Model 1897 shotgun slide handle. To make parts that will interchange in this manner, like parts must be exactly alike to the minutest detail. To determine whether or not they are exactly alike in size and shape, or if the cuts and holes in them are made so as to coincide with the component parts, each part has to be gauged from one to forty different times. This system of interchangeable parts materially increases the cost of
producing Winchester guns, nevertheless they, are sold cheaper than guns made in a less costly and less careful manner. All purchasers of Winchester g,tins are benefited by this system of manufacture, as it enables them to replace a. part broken or worn out by rough usage, at a trifling cost and without employing the aid of a gunsmith. Alinost all parts of Winchester guns can be sent by mail, therefore a broken part can be replaced quickly and easily in any part of the world.
Gun makers agree that the most difficult part of a gun to make is the barrel. To do so successfully, requires a thorough knowledge of the subject, skilled experts, delicate and *Also the fAlso the .32 Winchester special. tAlso the •33.
exact machinery, and a comprehensive system of tests. The system by which Winchestet barrels are made has made them famous all over the world for their unerring accuracy, and' strength. When a Winchester barrel has been "rough" bored, as the first boring is called; it is proved for strength by the English Government proof system. The barrel is locked to a firing table. loaded with a charge of powder and lead twice as great as could be putt into the shell the barrel is to be chambered for, and fired. It is then carefully inspected and if the barrel shows the slightest sign of strain, or imperfection, it is condemned. It is next straightened and then given the second or "finish" boring. It is then straightened again. after which it is subjected to what is known as the -Winchester" or "Lead" test.. This test never fails to disclose any imperfection in the interior of a barrel. In making this test, the barrel is held in a vise and a plug of lead the exact size of the bore placed in it at the breech and expanded or -upset-until it binds lightly and evenly all around the bore. The plug is then pushed gradually through the barrel with a copper rod by the expert conducting, the test. The slighest variation in the diameter of the bore is instantly dis-' closed by the different pressure required to push the plug through the barrel, This test is repeated after the barrel is rifled, for the purpose of detecting any possible disturbance. of the bore during the latter process. It is not necessary to submit shotgun barrels to the:. "Lead" test. They are tested by gauges which show a variation of a thousandth part of an inch.