Winchester Factory Records

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is an owner of a vintage Winchester rifle, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming has the manufacturing records of several rifle models. Owners can request a letter from the center (they charge a fee) with data on their rifles. They provide manufacturing dates and configuration data.

The records include (from the Winchester Factory Records website):

Winchester Factory Records

Please note: Winchester letters are typically mailed four (4) weeks from date of payment. Members, allow two (2) business days for search returns. Members may submit search requests directly by e-mail to cfmrecords@centerofthewest.org. Be sure to include name and member number with search requests. Limit 5 searches per day.

Winchester factory records cover manufacture from 1873 into the mid-20th century. Records availability and content varies throughout production. Find the full list of available Winchester models and serial number ranges here.

Early Winchesters mfg. 1873 – 1906

Configuration records are available for most firearms manufactured between 1873 and approximately 1906 depending on the model. Configuration information may include caliber, barrel type, trigger type, and any special-order features. Customer data is rarely available for Winchesters. Serial number application date information will be included when available.

Factory letters on these firearms are $80 for individuals who are not Firearms Members of the Center. Learn more about firearms membership here.

Winchesters mfg. 1906 – 1940s

Most Winchester records for firearms manufactured after 1906 to the end of the surviving records only contain dates of manufacture. These date-of-manufacture records are called Serial Number Application (SNA) records. SNA records are available for many of the earlier Winchesters and are automatically included in those serial number searches and factory letters.

Factory letters containing Winchester SNA dates only are $40 for non-members. Learn more about firearms membership here.

Find the full list of available Winchester models and serial number ranges here.

For more information, go here.