Olin Kodensha was Winchester's factory, opened about 1976, to make the 101.

edit: Google says Olin Kodensha opened in the early 1960s, but the 101 began about 1976. If memory serves, the Super-X was briefly made in New Haven, before it too went to Japan. My dad had one of the New Haven guns, but I sold it, for better or worse, because I hated all the click clack, especailly being a southpaw.

Yup, I knew it was Winchester's factory and was originally(?) opened to produce the 101 but I wasn't sure about the 23 being made there other than what I had "heard".





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Edgar:
I do not think the Super-X was ever made in Japan. Strictly Conn. I do know the folks at the plant joked they should include a $100.00 in every gun box because that was at least what Winchester lost on each Super-X produced. Might want to check with a Winchester guy.

I have one and it is a killing machine at sporting, trap and skeet. I have several barrels.

Just my remembering's.

I bought a pair of 101's in 1976 from Winchester Far East Ltd. They had them on sale for $250 ea, against an advertised list of $339 but I have no idea whether they were newly made or just new old stock. Much later I bought a BC Miroku 20 made at the Koshi factory that had virtually identical engraving to the 101's. My assumption was that both factories, Koshi and Kodensha, farmed out their engraving to the same contractors. Any other thoughts?

Edgar I believe 1964 was the first year of production for the 101. The first two years it came out in the red and black plaid box and had the red W on the grip cap.

Olin Kodensha built the 101,the model 23,the model 201 classic doubles,and Parker Repro.
If you look closely at the 201 classic doubles,they are a combination of the 23 and Parker Repro. Good guns but got lost in the shuffle after Olin shut down.

Well, I'm batting 0 today. I confess my knowledge of Winchester smooth bores is lacking. I did call the guy who bought my dad's Super-X and asked him why he asked me if it was Japanese. He said he was certain the receivers were made in Japan, which I interpreted as the gun being made there. I do recall my 101 coming in the plaid box, which may still be in the attic.

Dean that is correct. Olin-Kodensha built both guns as well as the Golden Eagle O/U's. They also did the Winchester 101's in the various models as well as the Nikko line. They also built the Classic Doubles line of sxs as well. I was stationed in Japan when they were all being built in the 1980's. Unfortunately they would not sell me any of the Parkers although I could buy the Winchester 101's and model 23s. Browning also wouldn't allow us to purchase the BSS or or Citori line either (built by Miroku). SKB would allow us to purchase their line of guns which included Weatherby O/U's in all the various grades.

Edgar:
Still pretty sure even the receivers were made in The USA. I will try and contact a Winchester buddy of mine.

I was always under the impression Super X’s were made totally in the USA and took a good bit more machining hence the higher retail price and probably the main reason they weren’t made anylonger than they were .