GatorFarmer
Member
There was a gunshop in town that I did not know was a gunshop. I had thought they sold only archery and fishing supplies. A guy I met at random said he bought a gun there, so I went to have a look. There were perhaps a half dozen long guns for sale in a case. One of those Chinese pump shotguns currently popular, an old Universal folding stock M1 carbine on consignment, a couple of Cricket youth rifles, and an old lever action Winchester.
After looking at the Universal and mulling over salvaging thr under folder stock, I asked to see the Winchester as an afterthought, remarking "Is that an old .30-30?"
I was told it was a World War 2 era gun. The recoil pad on it had turned as hard as the wood. It has an old Redfield peep sight mounted, set to point blabk range. Just the sort I would often see on those old Krag sporters I like... No rust. Nothing wrong with the wood, the finish largely intact...a few minor scratches...an old gouge on the forearm.
I was told it had been sitting there for months. The price was $450. I shouldered it, tried the action. It fit me well, seemed smooth, still tight. The price was on the high end for what I paid in the past for old Krags. Still... I do like those old Redfields.... This was set at basically point blank range. Ammunition would be easier to find than for a Krag...
So I bought it, with five rounds of .30-30 thrown in, that the owner had left for it.
Taking it home, and looking up the serial number gives a date between 1943 and 1948. Apparently records are missing for this period. So maybe it was a World War Two gun, maybe it leaving the factory in time to take potshots at the Roswell aliens, or maybe it was made just after that. But it was old.
I used to get store brand and Marlin .30-30s for $150 to $175. I would keep one around for a while then trade or sell it. That was a while back though. Now I never see a Marlin with an asking price under $300.
I know pre 64 Winchesters were the "good ones" according to classic gun lore. I honestly do not know if I overpaid or not. I thought of perhaps hanging this one up on a wall and calling it "my old Winchester". It seems too nice to use as a knock about, having survived this long.
Shrug. So...$450...decent price or did I fall victim to old Winchester nostalgia?
After looking at the Universal and mulling over salvaging thr under folder stock, I asked to see the Winchester as an afterthought, remarking "Is that an old .30-30?"
I was told it was a World War 2 era gun. The recoil pad on it had turned as hard as the wood. It has an old Redfield peep sight mounted, set to point blabk range. Just the sort I would often see on those old Krag sporters I like... No rust. Nothing wrong with the wood, the finish largely intact...a few minor scratches...an old gouge on the forearm.
I was told it had been sitting there for months. The price was $450. I shouldered it, tried the action. It fit me well, seemed smooth, still tight. The price was on the high end for what I paid in the past for old Krags. Still... I do like those old Redfields.... This was set at basically point blank range. Ammunition would be easier to find than for a Krag...
So I bought it, with five rounds of .30-30 thrown in, that the owner had left for it.
Taking it home, and looking up the serial number gives a date between 1943 and 1948. Apparently records are missing for this period. So maybe it was a World War Two gun, maybe it leaving the factory in time to take potshots at the Roswell aliens, or maybe it was made just after that. But it was old.
I used to get store brand and Marlin .30-30s for $150 to $175. I would keep one around for a while then trade or sell it. That was a while back though. Now I never see a Marlin with an asking price under $300.
I know pre 64 Winchesters were the "good ones" according to classic gun lore. I honestly do not know if I overpaid or not. I thought of perhaps hanging this one up on a wall and calling it "my old Winchester". It seems too nice to use as a knock about, having survived this long.
Shrug. So...$450...decent price or did I fall victim to old Winchester nostalgia?
