Next year, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, and Winchester Ammunition is early out of the gate, announcing in late 2025 that it would honor the occasion with a special line of ammunition.
“Since 1866, Winchester has been part of the American story—built on hard work, craftsmanship, and an unwavering spirit,” a recent press from Winchester Ammunition stated. “As we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, this special-edition ammunition celebrates the American worker.”
The limited-edition cartridge boxes (seen above) depict hard-working farmers, factory assemblymen first responders and more. Nine collectible boxes—cartridges included—with 9 mm, .45 ACP and .30-’06 Sprg. loads, as well as 12-ga. shotshells.
If you have a gun enthusiast on your upcoming holiday shopping list, you might score one for a stocking stuffer before they disappear.
Other gun companies will undoubtedly commemorate the occasion, as they did in 1976 for the nation’s bicentennial. That year, there was no shortage of limited-edition firearms wearing embellishments honoring this great nation’s founding 200 years before.
Winchester Repeating Arms, for example, offered a “1776-1976” Bicentennial Commemorative Model 84 lever-action. Ruger Mini-14s made that year were stamped with, “Made in the 200th year of American Liberty.” We were unable to confirm whether everything that came out of its factory had the marking, but the firm did offer a variety of other special guns for the celebration.
Colt’s manufacturing produced 1,776 matching sets of some of its most beloved revolvers. The trio included a Dragoon, Single Action Army and Python.
At Browning, 1,000 single-shot B-78 rifles chambered in .45-70 Gov’t were offered. Remington produced Model 1100 and 870 shotguns with special 1776-1976 engraving, M760 pump-action rifles with gold inlays and a special-edition Nylon 66.
Marlin offered a .30-30 Win.-chambered commemorative Model 336. Ithaca introduced a Bicentennial Model 37 shotgun. No doubt, there were others, and enthusiasts can expect even more to be introduced next year.
Read the full article here