The Galleries
- Robert E. Petersen Collection
- Ancient Firearms - 1350 to 1700
- Road to American Liberty - 1700 to 1780
- A Prospering New Republic - 1780 to 1860
- A Nation Asunder - 1861 to 1865
- The American West - 1850 to 1900
- Innovation, Oddities and Competition
- Theodore Roosevelt and Elegant Arms - 1880s to 1920s
- World War I and Firearms Innovation
- WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Beyond - 1940 to Present
- For the Fun of It
- Modern Firearms - 1950 to Present
- Hollywood Guns
Winchester Model 61 Hammerless Slide Action Rifle
The Model 61 was produced to fill a need for a hammerless slide-action rimfire rifle. SN 240351
Winchester (U.S.) Model 61 Slide-Action Tube-Magazine Rifle (repeater/ breech-loading/ smokeless powder/ cartridge ammunition) In response to demand for a 'hammerless' rim fire slide-action rifle, the Winchester Model 61 was developed and placed on the market in 1932. Rim fire ammunition is discharged when the gun's hammer strikes the rim of the cartridge, which is filled with fulminate of mercury.
Center fire ammunition have their fulminate of mercury primer located in the center-rear of the cartridge case. The former cartridge is cheaper than center fire ammunition, and, unlike center fire ammunition, it is limited to use in small caliber guns. The Model 61 was designed in the midst of economic disaster as an inexpensive firearm that could be used to gather small game or to kill predators. --Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #130