What is a Winchester 1 in 1000?

Answer 1

Well Its actually a Winchester "1 of 1000." In 1876 Winchester firearms co. came up with an ad campaign of the 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100. The ad read something to the effect of one out of ever 1000 rifles well be selected which have highly accurate barrels, and being well shooting rifles. The 1 of 100 rifles were to be rifles that weren't quite as good as the one of one thousand. All the guns were engraved either 1of1000 or 1of100 on the barrel and have set triggers, and deluxe wood stocks. They also could be ordered to have any of the special order features that were offered at the time. Examples special stock lengths, special barrel lengths, special weight barrels also known as "bull barrels". special sights, special length magazines, half-round or half-Octagon barrels, shotgun buttstocks, pistol-grip buttstocks or a combo of pistol-grip and shotgun buttstocks, additional engraving, inscriptions, gold & silver plating, extra oil finishes, inside polished finishes. Basically anything possible at the day and time of gun manufacturing. The 1of1000s where only offered in the models 1873 and 1876. Less than about 150 1 of 1000 model 73s were produced and less than 70 1 of 1000 models 76s were produced. Less than 10 1 of 100 were produced for both the 73 & 76 models.

Many Years later in 1960s I believe Winchester produced some model 1894s and model 70s that are engraved with the 1 of 1000 mark.

There are a couples of good books on the subject by R.L.Wilson. And most recently by Dr. Ed Lewis.