38 | WINCHESTERCOLLECTOR.ORG • Fall 2021 an addition to your collection regardless of the price. In addition to leather cases, Winchester made leather slings for all of their rifles. With the slings, swivels to attach them to the gun were included. Many of these were a special order added to the gun at the factory. By the year 1893, Winchester made leathertrimmed canvas takedown cases for all of their current models, including the lever action and pump .22 rifles. These early cases are not stamped with the Winchester trademark, but they do have the model number and barrel length marked on the leather strap of the case. You can also tell by the type of canvas whether it is a Winchester case or not. A similar marking was used on the straps of the later leather-trimmed canvas takedown cases. There are several examples of the markings on these cases shown at left. As the Winchester Store became a reality, the leather-trimmed canvas cases were still offered. However, at this time Winchester stamped their trademark as well as the model and a catalog number on the case. Sometime after Winchester introduced the 1897 shotgun, they offered these style cases for their shotguns, as well. At some Above: Canvas takedown cases with marking details as described in the text Right: Winchester-marked shotgun case detail Below: A Winchester sling with hooks Above left and opposite right: A full-length leather case, right and left views Lower far left: Full-length leather case marking detail
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