Browning Assumes Winchester Rifles & Shotguns!!!
- Thread starter Rogmatt
- Start date
- Status
rbernie
Contributing Member
I think that this press release is simply stating that the license agreement between Olin and FN Herstal/Browning that was due to expire in 2007 has been renewed. As far as I know, FN/Herstal (aka Browning) already makes the SX shotguns and the SXR autoloader that are still being sold under the Winchester name...
I just looked at the SXR pics for the first time; is that just a re-skinned Lightweight Stalker BAR?
I just looked at the SXR pics for the first time; is that just a re-skinned Lightweight Stalker BAR?
The SXR is an uglier BAR, from what I know.
Too bad for Winchester. It's nothing but a cheap brand to be pasted on top of products that bear no relation whatsoever to the name.
What I can't figure out is why in heck FN would pay to use the name. There are no production guns remaining in their lineup, that actually benefit from the brand, IMO. The guns that are good, like their O/U's and semi shotguns, would sell just as well as FN-branded products. Olin must've sold the name to them for pretty damn cheap.
Too bad for Winchester. It's nothing but a cheap brand to be pasted on top of products that bear no relation whatsoever to the name.
What I can't figure out is why in heck FN would pay to use the name. There are no production guns remaining in their lineup, that actually benefit from the brand, IMO. The guns that are good, like their O/U's and semi shotguns, would sell just as well as FN-branded products. Olin must've sold the name to them for pretty damn cheap.
vanfunk
Member
Browning, Winchester and FN have been owned by the same parent company, GIAT, for many years now.
HTH,
vanfunk
HTH,
vanfunk
JohnBT
Member
Not since 1997. JT
"1997: The Walloon government buys the company from GIAT and renames it Groupe Herstal."
"1997: The Walloon government buys the company from GIAT and renames it Groupe Herstal."
Car Knocker
Member
True. But Winchester still had a factory, and they still produced distinct products that were uniquely Winchester in that factory. The Model 70 and 94 remain iconic firearms.
Now, the factory is gone, and the rifles are gone. What remains are FN shotguns and a re-badged BAR, sold under the Winchester name, and some other random imports and Japanese-built replicas.
Bullet Bob
Member
So if they start buiding model 70's with the Winchester name on them at the non-union FN plant in South Carolina, with machinery from CT, is it a real Winchester?
Anyhow, I hereby nominate this subject as "most likely to be excitedly re-posted" in a month by someone who just got the news.
Anyhow, I hereby nominate this subject as "most likely to be excitedly re-posted" in a month by someone who just got the news.
- Status