A small part of my forthcoming book on the post 1964 Winchester Shotguns deals with Winchester Guarantees and Warranties.

Of course, Winchester as part of Olin Matheson ceased making guns in 1981, when the USRACO took over, followed by USRACO inc, then Hershal/ Browning.  I have found very little written stating the period of Guarantee offered, apart from 5 year guarantees for two models in 1981, and “ALL winchester firearms to have two year Warantees” in 1989. 

The guarantee in some cases was the repair at no charge for material or workmanship, or if unable to fix it, to replace the gun or refund the purchase price.  

After 1964 Winchester advised that a firearm would be provided with a Warranty, and this is what I am looking for.  I would be interested in clear photos of Warranties for any guns in the 1964 to 2006 period, provided the year is known or the Model or Serial Number is provided.  I can date Model 1200, 1300 and 1400 shotguns from the Serial number.

I have added a sample document “Model 1200 Defender Owners Warranty”. 

As a matter of Interest the Winchester Authorised Gunsmiths started in 1962, with 43 registered in the USA in 1964.  Numbers increased to 135 by 1985 (including 14 in Canada and 12 in Australia), and rached a peak in 1987 of 140 worldwide, with Europe and othes added.  In 1998 numbers were trimmed to 44 in the USA out of a total worldwide of 96.

I would be interested in Anecdotes from that period.  

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