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Oliver Fisher Winchester

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Entrepreneur

The Resume

    (November 30, 1810-December 11, 1880)
    Born in Boston, Massachusetts
    Purchased the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company from Smith & Wesson (1850)
    Renamed it the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (1857)
    Introduced the first Winchester rifle - Model 1866 (the Yellow boy) in 1866
    Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut (1866-67)
    Died in New Haven, CT at age 70
    Winchester repeating rifle was nicknamed 'The Gun That Won the West'

Why he might be annoying:

    He was out of his element as a clothing manufacturer turned gun producer.
    Sales were sluggish the first 10 years of operation until he hired engineer Benjamin Tyler Henry.
    Henry rifle sales were brisk, but when improvements were made on the rifle in 1866 it evolved into a Winchester rifle (boss takes credit for another's idea).
    After he died his son took over the company but lasted just three months before dying of TB.
    His daughter-in-law Sarah was convinced evil spirits killed by the rifles were haunting her and built the Winchester Mystery House to ward them off.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He gave up a business that he knew, moved to New Haven and tried his luck in the arms business, a gamble that paid off handsomely.
    The Union Army was reluctant to use his rifles as 'untested technology,' but some soldiers bought them with their own money because they knew it could save their lives.
    Some Confederate soldiers with muzzle loading guns came up against Union troops using his 16-28 shot per minute rifle, one stating 'damned Yankee rifle that they load on Sunday and shoot all week!'
    His first born daughter died in 1864 at age 29.
    Native Americans used his rilfes against Gen. Custer's troops, which many believe was the reason for the 'last stand' defeat.
    The Winchester Model 94 has sold over 6 million units since 1895 with only minor changes because it was designed right from the beginning.
    New Haven's Winchester Avenue is named in his honor.

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 16 Votes: 31.25% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 19 Votes: 47.37% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 77 Votes: 49.35% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 20 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 32.00% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 26 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 30 Votes: 63.33% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 150 Votes: 44.67% Annoying