Let's get one thing straight mdi...

[Stopsign32v]

You motivated me to take a picture of some
Win Big Bore in 375 Win
Marlin Cowboy in 38-55
Win 1886 in 45-70

What fun

P.S. John Boy, they are shooters, I just do not drag them through the gravel and I do oil them

Now THAT is a bunch! Thanks a lot skeet, now you reminded me not only do I need a 38-55 but I also need a 1886.

[murf205]

Drew P I'm not a expert on lever actions ,just a old soldier who grow up shooting them the "curve" was a sign of the times,these were designed for the saddle and attire worn back then.

I have asked the same question and the very knowledgeable people I asked said that it was the thinking of the period that the curved butt stock kept the rifle in place, against your shoulder better than a "shotgun" style, as they refered to the straighter butt. From my experience of shooting the curved butt rifles, it does indeed keep the rifle in place but with the heavy calibers it is a bit more painful. Some "drool" worthy rifles here, thanks for the pics.

[JSnover]

I have asked the same question and the very knowledgeable people I asked said that it was the thinking of the period that the curved butt stock kept the rifle in place, against your shoulder better than a "shotgun" style, as they refered to the straighter butt. From my experience of shooting the curved butt rifles, it does indeed keep the rifle in place but with the heavy calibers it is a bit more painful. Some "drool" worthy rifles here, thanks for the pics.

It indexes better to the shoulder/armpit and it's far more pronounced on a lot of target rifles, morphing into the 'hooked' buttstocks on a lot of high-end models.

[WRideout]

I once owned an older Savage 99 in 300 Sav which I (unwisely) traded for a Browning Buckmark 22 LR pistol. Wonderful old rifle. I'll get over the loss sometime.

Wayne

[rondog]

Why did they put such a pronounced curve on the butt end of the stocks on some of the oldies? Seems counterintuitive and cumbersome. I’ve shot a few and thought so at least.
Beauties by the way, thanks for sharing

It fits the shoulder nicely, and comes in handy for butt-stroking people in the face with it.

I absolutely LOVE my levers with crescent buttplates, it's definitely a major factor in making up the order of my wish list. I'm definitely lusting after rifles more than carbines.

[Stopsign32v]

I absolutely LOVE my levers with crescent buttplates,

Ditto

Looking at my books, most of the lever actions of the time had crescent buttplates.

With that said I really wish someone would make a clone of the Whitney-Kennedy.

[redhawk0]

The curved butt kept the rifle shouldered better when riding a horse. Flat butts would slip off....and that's not so good if you're hunting dangerous game or a soldier in battle.

redhawk