Had the JC Higgins out today and the other two right there too. I like the rifles and shotguns that were actually used by everyday people, farmers and workmen. The fancy stuff is pretty, but these have stories to tell. The SxS is a Sears offering from 1954 when they decided to play in the quality arena. It’s by AYA and very well made, better than the later Matadors by a goodly margin. This is when the sold the Sako L46 and Browning Safari (FN Mauser) under the JC Higgins label. It’s a 16 and in that period, well if you hunted a 16 was “it”. Carries like a 20, hits like a 12!
The M141 is from 1948 in 35 Remington, open sights because scopes were still expensive and unnecessary to the average hunter. We all hunted in the woods, close up and the 35 was a killer! This is the cleanest 141 standard grade I have come across, lacquer is original and still clear!
Everyone in the farmland had a 22 or two. This 121 is from 1951 and bears the scars of use , and a stint with a side mount scope. It still shoots tight, easily making the 1/4 inch at 25 club. My eyes no longer do it justice but squirrels inside 35 yards are going in the pot if I can see their head clearly. Holds a bunch of subsonic or standard velocity LR and is pretty quiet given the long barrel.
I can see these and probably a M33 in the gunrack in the den, circa 1954! Fellow sitting with his hunting buddy, sharing a coffee and pipe while talking about last seasons hunts. Showing his buddy the new 16 his family gave him for Christmas and planning a quick duck hunt! Yeah, I like that image. Please post your own groups and thoughts on our grandfathers hunting.
( just needed a break from politics and the flu, thought it might be fun)