Here's an interesting news story. Evidently someone found an old Winchester lever action leaning against a tree in the park undisturbed for many years.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
Old 1873 Winchester found in Great Basin Nat. Park
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model70hunter
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Wow. After all it is a 73 Winchester, the gun that won the West. It's just merely still on duty.
A year or so ago I read about a gent who found an 1886 in 45-70 hanging on a nail in a far northern old hunting camp. He had it restored, he also found out who the heirs were and got the story. The guy forgot it and they canoed down stream to far to go back. He ended up never going back. The gent gave the gun to an heir.
My brother found an old remington auto next to a tree on our farm close to the road. Had to have been there pre WW-2. I once found a Browning BAR 06 left by a guy in a hunting camp. I tracked him down and gave it to him. I'd hope someone would do the same for me.
If I had to guess, someone left it, forgot where it was and could not find it when they went back. Or maybe he got sick and had to crawl out. Then there is that wild west thing. I hope they can find out. Even if a not much story it would be interesting.
A year or so ago I read about a gent who found an 1886 in 45-70 hanging on a nail in a far northern old hunting camp. He had it restored, he also found out who the heirs were and got the story. The guy forgot it and they canoed down stream to far to go back. He ended up never going back. The gent gave the gun to an heir.
My brother found an old remington auto next to a tree on our farm close to the road. Had to have been there pre WW-2. I once found a Browning BAR 06 left by a guy in a hunting camp. I tracked him down and gave it to him. I'd hope someone would do the same for me.
If I had to guess, someone left it, forgot where it was and could not find it when they went back. Or maybe he got sick and had to crawl out. Then there is that wild west thing. I hope they can find out. Even if a not much story it would be interesting.
williamlayton
Member
I ran out of ammo and was killed near that spot.
Blessings
Blessings
rburg
Member
So was it still loaded? I hope not because we know guns can just go off and shoot someone. I think. If it had ammo, that might be interesting, too.
And the movie Jerimiah Johnson? Didn't he find Cactus Jack's gun with a note? Maybe the note blew off this gun. I wonder if anyone looked around for human bones, or Griz bones?
What did I find? An old single barrel shotgun, in an outhouse behind the door. Who ever heard of an inward opening door? Well the old codger who lived up Eagle Creek had one. We used to go hunting there in the fall. A friend had a "farm" up on top of the hill. His access was up a lane. Down at the road, which wasn't much of a road, an old guy had his house. It was a farm house he'd built before WWI. His wife up and died, but he kept on living there. Some days I'd just get tired and would walk down to wait for my father and our friend. So I did the natural, I'd walk over and talk to the old guy. He liked company, even if it was a young boy. And he'd shoot his deer every year from his throne. Seems all the deer cam down the draw and lane, then across his garden (some stopped for a snack) and across the road for some water at the creek.
He'd pick out his deer early in the fall, well before the season. He had a routine, as did the deer. He'd go out the back door and to his outhouse. And he'd sit for a spell. On opening day, the deer would come past and he'd shoot his pick. The season started at dawn, and he'd kind of smile when asked if it was "dawn". Didn't matter much to him. He'd lived there for maybe 60 years. So he kept his shotgun in the outhouse.
When I went to visit one year, he wasn't there. So I wandered out to the outhouse and sure enough, the old shotty was still propped up where it had been. Shells were still on the "shelf", too. The shelf was just a 2x4 nailed between 2 studs. Just a few. Made me pretty sorry.
So I stopped at the next house down the road and asked. He'd been carted away and was down in town at an old folks home. So I drove down and asked. Yep, he was there but not able to care for himself. So I found his room and he really lit up. Guess he didn't know anyone else. And I asked him if he'd like to go back, just to see the place. He did and it only took me an hour. I asked him about his shotgun, and he said "just leave it". About a year later I stopped again, and he wasn't able to leave the building. I stopped up at the homestead, fully overgrown. And the shotgun and shells were gone. Guess someone else wanted them.
And the movie Jerimiah Johnson? Didn't he find Cactus Jack's gun with a note? Maybe the note blew off this gun. I wonder if anyone looked around for human bones, or Griz bones?
What did I find? An old single barrel shotgun, in an outhouse behind the door. Who ever heard of an inward opening door? Well the old codger who lived up Eagle Creek had one. We used to go hunting there in the fall. A friend had a "farm" up on top of the hill. His access was up a lane. Down at the road, which wasn't much of a road, an old guy had his house. It was a farm house he'd built before WWI. His wife up and died, but he kept on living there. Some days I'd just get tired and would walk down to wait for my father and our friend. So I did the natural, I'd walk over and talk to the old guy. He liked company, even if it was a young boy. And he'd shoot his deer every year from his throne. Seems all the deer cam down the draw and lane, then across his garden (some stopped for a snack) and across the road for some water at the creek.
He'd pick out his deer early in the fall, well before the season. He had a routine, as did the deer. He'd go out the back door and to his outhouse. And he'd sit for a spell. On opening day, the deer would come past and he'd shoot his pick. The season started at dawn, and he'd kind of smile when asked if it was "dawn". Didn't matter much to him. He'd lived there for maybe 60 years. So he kept his shotgun in the outhouse.
When I went to visit one year, he wasn't there. So I wandered out to the outhouse and sure enough, the old shotty was still propped up where it had been. Shells were still on the "shelf", too. The shelf was just a 2x4 nailed between 2 studs. Just a few. Made me pretty sorry.
So I stopped at the next house down the road and asked. He'd been carted away and was down in town at an old folks home. So I drove down and asked. Yep, he was there but not able to care for himself. So I found his room and he really lit up. Guess he didn't know anyone else. And I asked him if he'd like to go back, just to see the place. He did and it only took me an hour. I asked him about his shotgun, and he said "just leave it". About a year later I stopped again, and he wasn't able to leave the building. I stopped up at the homestead, fully overgrown. And the shotgun and shells were gone. Guess someone else wanted them.
jtcarm
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If it'd been a more powerful '76 or Marlin '81, it migha "kilt the bar."
Of course, leaning against a tree doesn't suggest the owner was ready for action. He might've been squatting close by.
J. R. WEEMS
Member
Had a friend who worked on installing new power lines back in the 50's. He reported find a couple 30-30's durning that stint of employment. 
reddogge
Member
An eccentric rich old man that used to come into the guns shop left a Boss London made shotgun in a goose blind in MD over the winter. He sent his "man" down to retrieve it. I never saw the results though.
vonn
US Veteran
Thanks,interesting story, makes you wonder how long it was waiting to be found .
TheHobbyist
Member
Back in the day, pre-1900, guns weren't much thought of as collectible or needing a whole lot of maintenance...although the price was more than the average man could afford. My guess, others might know better, is that it was about a months wages of 'extras'...assuming there was any left over monies.
My great-great grandfather had an old shotgun with a Damascus barrel given to him as a gift from the village he was from upon settling on the homestead here in America. For nearly the next 100 years ( it was closer to 85 years, but i'm telling a story) it was in the barn. My Dad eventually pulled it out of the family farm because it was only a matter of time before it would start weathering bad. Strangely enough, I have it, and it's pretty decent and in working order.
My great-great grandfather had an old shotgun with a Damascus barrel given to him as a gift from the village he was from upon settling on the homestead here in America. For nearly the next 100 years ( it was closer to 85 years, but i'm telling a story) it was in the barn. My Dad eventually pulled it out of the family farm because it was only a matter of time before it would start weathering bad. Strangely enough, I have it, and it's pretty decent and in working order.
When I was working in Belize the crew dug up what was left of a 92 Winchester. What was interesting is that the action was rusted open. Someone was in the middle of clearing a jam or loading another round when the rifle was dropped and abandoned.
DeathGrip
US Veteran
I have an N.R. Davis double I found in a barn. Its all rusted together. No wood and cut way to short to be legal. I don't think I could get in trouble for it as the triggers and most are long gone. It could never be made to fire. But its cool and always makes me wonder.
jtcarm
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The guys who relied on their guns for survival and making a living, like a Davy Crocket or buffalo hunters had to be obsessive about maintenance, considering the exposure to the elements and corrosive ammo. Soldiers too, since they could also get in deep trouble with superiors for neglecting their rifle.
Prior to about the mid-19th century, just about all non-military guns were custom jobs. Even military guns were pretty much custom, just built to (approximately) the same specs. IIRC, the 1848 Sharps was the first firearm built from interchangeable parts.
Even if you could afford another gun after leaving it leaning against a tree, it could be a long trip to the nearest gunsmith or trading post.
Fifty dollars in 1873 was more than the average income of that era. 1873 also happened to be the kickoff of a 6-year-long depression. Cowboys and other people living on the frontier also probably earned a less-than-average income.
I could be wrong, but I'd think guns were very valuable possessions in those days, and not something you would leave out in the rain.
Malpasowildlifer
Member
awesome story!
A friend gave me a Marlin Mod.1894 25-20 a few years ago. Story went like this: A friend of his found 2 rifles under an old mattress in an abandoned logging camp bunk house many years ago.I think he told me it was in Wisconsin.One was a 22 rifle, the other the 25-20. My friend paid 10 bucks for the Marlin & doesn't know anything about the 22. The Marlin is in poor shape, took me 2 weeks to get the rust off & out of the barrel. Funny thing is that it shoots pretty well for it's condition
the ringo kid
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I remember James Stewart once asked me: "Where did I leave my rifle?" Well, I said I didnt know but--now we all know the rest of the story.
model70hunter
Member
It is is still news today.
The gun was empty.
It was a very successful model. Winchester made so many they dropped the price from 50 dollars to $25 in 1882 which is when this gun was made.
They say this put the gun in the price range for an average guy.
Here is the link to the story and pictures of the gun. I have no comment about the news service.
search old winchester found. When I copied the link it putthe picture only in.
The gun was empty.
It was a very successful model. Winchester made so many they dropped the price from 50 dollars to $25 in 1882 which is when this gun was made.
They say this put the gun in the price range for an average guy.
Here is the link to the story and pictures of the gun. I have no comment about the news service.
search old winchester found. When I copied the link it putthe picture only in.
Last edited:
williamlayton
Member
I told you it was empty--I ran out of ammo.
Blessings
Blessings
Ogandydancer
Member
Very interesting story. I am going to be interested in what the research team finds out about this weapon.
I don't have the image of a 1890's cowperson leaving that rifle out there. more like an 1920's dude, but we'll never know; (snake bit,broken leg, gunshot, drunk, thirsty, lost make up yer own scenario).
On a small dirt road here there is a grave stone that is so faded with time that the name is no longer readable.
Local legend has it that the grave stone is for a War of 1812 soldier that was returning from an unsuccessful raid into Canada. He either was wounded and died of his wounds, or died of complications of small pox (or diptheria, or measles,or food poisionin, or starvation ect).
His pals carted him as far as they could (or thats where he expired)they buried him there, and went on to find lodging in our little village. when they finally went back in the spring to place the head stone they didn't recognise any markers, so they said "" here's close enough".
Mebbe thats what happened with this gun.. somebody was draggin a deer, or an injured pard, or they had to run away, or the rifle simply got too heavy.
wont know 'til the rapture and I can ask .
On a small dirt road here there is a grave stone that is so faded with time that the name is no longer readable.
Local legend has it that the grave stone is for a War of 1812 soldier that was returning from an unsuccessful raid into Canada. He either was wounded and died of his wounds, or died of complications of small pox (or diptheria, or measles,or food poisionin, or starvation ect).
His pals carted him as far as they could (or thats where he expired)they buried him there, and went on to find lodging in our little village. when they finally went back in the spring to place the head stone they didn't recognise any markers, so they said "" here's close enough".
Mebbe thats what happened with this gun.. somebody was draggin a deer, or an injured pard, or they had to run away, or the rifle simply got too heavy.
wont know 'til the rapture and I can ask .
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