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I picked up a copy of Harold F. Williamson’s book and have been reading it in my spare time for the last few days. I like it and I’ve really enjoyed reading it so far. I’ve seen it referenced before but I was wondering what anyone else here thought about the book, how it’s fared with the critics over the years or how it compares with Herbert G. Houze’s Winchester Repeating Arms Company: Its History & Development from 1865 to 1981, which I have not read yet.
Thanks,
Brad
Hi Brad
I have the book, and havent read it in many years, so I just dug it out and will re-read it. as I recall it was quite good, but not commonly seen at gunshows where I did get mine.
Phil
This post got me thinking about this old book. Checked my gun library and found I have the 1967 edition, Sixth Printing, which I purchased slightly used in the early ’70’s. By now I’ve forgotten how it read though not the contents. Pulled and put on my read pile to re-read. Will post my observations once done and thanks for bringing up the subject.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Williamson’s book was the first Winchester book I ever read on the subject and was the first book to start my Winchester library. I still have that U.S. Army first edition on the shelf but have not opened it in the last 40 years so I guess it is about time again.
Thanks for the reminder, I will add it to my re-read list also.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I also prize my copy of Williamson’s book as the first book in my Winchester library. I found it very interesting concerning the downfall due to the failure of the stores. It foreshadows the failure of a large corp my wife works for in how they expanded into retail stores, a business in which they had no experience or talent.
I found/find as much interest in this business end of Winchester as in the firearms they produced. I think I’ll read it for a 3rd time.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Vince said
I also prize my copy of Williamson’s book as the first book in my Winchester library. I found it very interesting concerning the downfall due to the failure of the stores. It foreshadows the failure of a large corp my wife works for in how they expanded into retail stores, a business in which they had no experience or talent.
I found/find as much interest in this business end of Winchester as in the firearms they produced. I think I’ll read it for a 3rd time.
Same here. I was really interested in the cartridge side of the business and I also am finding the chapter on Theodore Roosevelt and Winchester to be very interesting.
Looks like it is cheap on Amazon right now.
Brad
hedley lamarr said
Same here. I was really interested in the cartridge side of the business and I also am finding the chapter on Theodore Roosevelt and Winchester to be very interesting.
Looks like it is cheap on Amazon right now.
Brad
Unfortunately, since I probably paid close to 50?
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
One of the best detailed and Technical references I’ve ever come across in regards to the day to day of the factory. Having been written over 60 years ago you know for certain that the information contained within it is very creditable. As Williamson surely got most of his information from the horse’s mouth. A must read. I also don’t recall coming across any inaccurate info, but it has been a while since I’ve read it cover to cover.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Purchased the book many years ago and like others here, have not read it in quite sometime.
I just got a copy of this book.
I just started reading it. At the beginning, it seems to have a good brief description of the development of firearms and ammunition including, of course, the repeating type.
This one was apparently donated to the Howard University and/or Dunbarton College Library by the Winchester company.
On about the 4 page it is inscribed “Gift of Winchester Repeating Arms Co.”.
Does this make this copy worth more?
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