Most graceful rifle ever made???

[PALADIN85020]

Yesterday I decided to comparatively test a few lenses for my Pentax K3 DLSR camera, to determine which would be best for photographing long guns. Not that it mattered all that much technically, but I thought about which rifle in my collection would be the "poster child" for the experiment. I've got a lot of rifles, but after some thought I selected a Model 64 Winchester, made way back in 1936.

The rifle is a graceful beauty, a prime example of workmanship as it existed at the Winchester plant in New Haven in the pre-war years. All the parts mate perfectly, the action is slick, and most of all, the proportions of the rifle are quite photogenic. It just looks right and in my mind is as good eye candy as you will ever find in a rifle. The peep rear sight was a rare Redfield option from the factory. It's in .30-30 Winchester caliber, and has a 24" barrel.

At any rate, I determined that the sharpest and most distortion-free lens in my kit was the Pentax SMC-DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited. Exposure was f/8, 1/10 sec., at ISO 100 for you photobugs. Unfortunately, I had to extend the center column on the tripod pretty high and get on a short stepladder to access the camera; 35mm is not exactly wide angle on an APS/C format. It actually equates to 52.8mm in a conventional 35mm film camera.

...and here's the picture of this gem, taken in the shade on my back patio:

Here are some period brochures for the Model 64, which is built on the time-honored Model 1894 action. This may give you some perspective on the gun.

Here is a page from the Winchester catalog of 1939:

And here is a catalog page from 1945:

At any rate, I was glad to narrow down my lens choice for future photo shoots, and to share with you my nomination for "most graceful rifle." Comments welcome.

John

 

[BearBio]

Not all that much different from my Model 71.

I don't have one but my nomination is for a Mannlicher-Schoenauer Carbine with a full-length stock. fell in love watching Ramar of the Jungle re-runs after kindergarten!

 

[txbirdman]

Nice rifle and I really like Winchesters in general but my vote goes to the 1885.

 

[quinn]

My vote goes to the Remington Hepburn, although I no longer own one. Second up would be the 1885 Hi-wall, though that too has gone away in favor of old S&Ws. Your 64 is quite lovely!

 

[Will Carry]

That was a high dollar rifle in 1939. It does look like a fine well balanced rifle.

 

[Iggy]

 

[hangnoose]

GRACEFUL

By graceful, if you mean photogenic, I'm thinking fine wood, great metal/fit/finish and nice lines. I'd go with a nice flintlock, then a lever, or a double rifle. Iggy was quicker on the trigger.

 

[shouldazagged]

Beautiful rifle, John, but I nominate the Savage 99. I love the lines and the action; and even though I can no longer hunt, if I had the money I'd buy a nice one.

 

[Cpo1944]

Those are sure pretty rifles, but this one aint such a dog either! Anschutz Sporter .22 LR

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

That is truly a beautiful rifle. My tastes (not needs) run to larger calibers so I would prefer a Winchester 71 in the same time frame. or the light weight 86 of the same configuration in 33 Win or 45-70, from the earlier era. Those MS spoon handle sporters are the eye candy of bolt guns. And for a Single Shot candidate, the 1885 High or Low Wall gets my vote, even over the Remington Creedmore or Sharpe's. For some reason the semi-auto world just won't get an entry from me in the beautiful rifle pageant. Very many interesting rifles, but not many with graceful beauty. Ivan

 

[bigolddave]

The Savage 99, in the K version, is extremely photogenic. It has just enough engraving, just enough checkering, and deluxe wood. It is, in my eyes, the most beautiful production rifle ever made.

To my regret, there is no K in my collection of 99's; however the G has the same lines, but without engraving or deluxe checkering.

 

[fyimo]

For a factory rifle the stock on this one is amazing and it sold for the standard price as the rest of this model.

Savage Model 114 American in 270 Win

 

[OIF2]

I like the 64, too.
Bob

 

[Rick_A]

For a classic rifle it's hard to find more graceful lines than a proper scheutzen.

For modern guns my vote goes to the Dragunov.

They are sleek and purposeful.

 

[-db-]

When I think graceful, I think smooth rounded flowing lines, in which case the Savage 99 has it all over the Winchester lever rifles. That's not to say a 64 isn't a great-looking rifle, it's just that graceful isn't a word I'd use to describe it.

Iggy has the right idea up there, too. Those old blackpowder rifles are the definition of graceful. Rick, too, with the scheutzen.

 

[Arik]

On most rifles I never liked how the wood would just so and leaving the barrel exposed. Some were better than others like those with extended tubes.

I vote SMLE

 

[firstsoldier]

Most graceful rifle

Also have one in 25-35 99% and think I'll hang on to it for a while.

 

[RobertJ.]

The Winchester Model 94 is my favorite rifle of all time, and the Model 64 is my favorite variation of it. I don't own one yet.

This is the most graceful I own:

 

[wbraswell]

I'm glad to see fans of the Savage 99. I just don't know, because there are so many types and configurations. The English fine falling block single shots, and the famous brands of sporting Mausers are quite elegant. The most graceful rifle that I personally own is probably my modern Win. Model 70 Featherweight. I really like the Winchester 61, partly because I think the Model 42 is the most graceful shotgun.

 

[BRush]

I agree about the Model 64. Nice full frame picture although detail is challenged by the size of the typical lap top screen. Here is a partial of my 64 with a a suitable companion, a Model 24-3.