U.S. Repeating Arms Company
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The U.S. Repeating Arms Company. Inc. (USRAC) is the current avatar of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, famous for making Winchester rifles.
USRAC's predecessor company obtained the Winchester name in 1866 when Oliver Winchester bought control of New Haven Arms Company and changed the name to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. In 1931 Olin Corporation purchased Winchester Repeating Arms and combined it with the Western Cartridge Company.
In 1981 The U.S. Repeating Arms Company was formed by Winchester employees to purchase the rights to manufacture Winchester brand rifles and shotguns in New Haven, Connecticut, under license from Olin Corporation.
In 1989, after bankruptcy of the employee organized corporation, USRAC was taken over by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN), a Belgium based international group producing firearms.
Early 2006, it was announced that the plant in New Haven would close. Production of several Winchester rifles would cease worldwide, some models would be continued in plants outside the United States. A tribute to former U. S. Repeating Arms employees can be found here.
Production of ammunition and cartridge components continue under the Winchester Ammunition Inc. name.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Out With A Bang: The Loss of the Classic Winchester Is Loaded With Symbolism, Washington Post, January 21, 2006
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