The Hartford plant closed in 2006. There were parts and certain models that were "outsourced" beginning in 2002.
Sears never made firearms. They "branded" firearms from firearms makers with their name as part of a contract.
in .22 cal it was 1934 and stopped making in 1963
Yesterday
The first Winchester model 1300 shotgun(model 1300 featherweight) was made in the year 1978.
A really good place to start is at your public library. Others are to start at the web pages of famous firearms manufacturers. Some are : Colt, Winchester, Remmington, Smith&Wesson, Beretta (the world's oldest maker), Mauser, FN ( Fabrique National ), etc.
@ 1973
they started in 1976 with the auto 5
Roughly 1000 years ago in China. It was so long ago that we do not have exact records.
Your winchester model 1894 rifle was made by winchester in the start of 1989.
B. Tyler Henry was a firearms designer hired by Oliver F. Winchester to help in the redesign of the unsuccessful Volcanic lever action rifle. The rifle we now call the "Henry" was the results. While not completely successful the rifle was a start for the New Haven Repeating Arms Co. which is the company we know today a Winchester.
Jennings, . . .
Winchester began in New Haven Conn. in 1866.