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rking22
07-13-2020, 03:04 PM
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.
264777

( just needed a break from politics and the flu, thought it might be fun)

richhodg66
07-13-2020, 04:07 PM
I like old work horse guns too. Been shooting trap a lot with a Stevens 5100 in 16 gauge, pretty sure it saw its share of field time in the day.

toallmy
07-13-2020, 04:37 PM
I have a love for regular older workhorse firearms as well . A couple Remington Model 58s in 12 & one in 20 that just hit what I point them at , a Bruckshire ‘ that might not be spelled right ‘ S&S in 20 that makes me want to go rabbit hunting every time I pick it up just to mention a few .
How could I not mention the old 30-30 sears/ chester that sat in the closet for 20 years or so untouched until I started playing with cast boolits in it .

Shawlerbrook
07-13-2020, 05:50 PM
Here in NYS it would have been a Winchester 1894 or a Remington 760/740 near the top of the list.

panhed65
07-13-2020, 06:30 PM
I like the older guns also, esp. when you can tell they were someones pride and joy at one time. the honest wear just makes them that much better. you can tell when someone was a gun nut, not just another hunter.
Barry

ole_270
07-13-2020, 10:27 PM
Older stuff gets a regular workout here.
Oldest is my family heirloom Marlin M94 25-20, made in 1906. Been re-lined and carries a Williams 5-d receiver sight. Very accurate with cast loads and is my favorite plinking and small game rifle.
Next is my 1953 Savage M99R 250-3000. I've taken several whitetail and coyotes with it.
Then comes the 1959 JC Higgins M51-L 308 (HVA action barreled by High Standard). Took a couple deer with jacketed and last year got 3 does with cast out of the old warrior.
Son has a late 50s JC Higgins M50 (FN Action) 30-06 with a M51 stock (deluxe checkered model). Plan was to rebuild to a 6.5 x 55 or 6.5 x 57 After shooting it that won't happen.
He also has a 1916 German SxS 16 ga by Oscar Will/Venus Gunworks? on a JP Sauer forging for the action. Very fancy gun that needs some work, but shoots well and has taken a couple pheasants with it.

Texas by God
07-13-2020, 10:52 PM
I’ve killed pheasant with the 1920’s? made NR Davis & Sons 12 gauge SxS above my mantel. I’d use it on pond ducks if lead was legal, 32” barrels IC&full, double triggers. It was someone else’s before I got it a decade ago. I love hunting with Dad’s early 50’s Win. 94- even more since it’s a 38-55 now. A recently arrived Remington 510 has been like a time machine because we learned with Dad’s 511. I wish I had more of the old classics. I Have Had Lots of them that I let slip away; I ain’t alone!

sharps4590
07-14-2020, 06:26 AM
Older stuff or reproductions thereof are about all I have anymore...and I rather like it. Most of it is from between the wars but there's a considerable number from before WWI and back to the 1840's-50's that still see use. As is often said, "if only they could talk".

dale2242
07-14-2020, 08:02 AM
My grand fathers 92 Winchester, made in 1921 , that I killed my first deer with in 1954 made the rounds in the family.
I now own it and my great grand kids shoot it.
With cast of course.

EMC45
07-14-2020, 08:03 AM
I like that 141.

GhostHawk
07-14-2020, 08:03 AM
I have a 16 ga 870 Wingmaster that I think was made in the first year of production. No vent rib, plain jane working gun. Much held and much shot and much loved. I got it as a hand me down from a relative of my Grandfather on Mom's side. Grandma hid it, held onto it longer than she should have. But in a move it came to light.

I have not shot it a lot. It did a fine job of busting pigeon's high and pushing the 50 yard mark. Slick and smooth of action. 16 ga is a bit hard to come by these days. I should set down and load up a couple hundred rounds for it.
Its owner and I were fishing parnters. He in his 60's, me at 6. Not many words said. Not many need to be said.
They don't make them like that anymore, gun or shooter.

cowboy4evr
07-14-2020, 10:36 AM
I have my great grandfathers 10 ga magnum dbl barrel Ithica shotgun . It has exposed hammers . They custom made it just for him down to the chokes that are not the usual std ones . As a kid growing up it was the only shotgun we had so ---- that's what I used . When buying a box of shells I learned I could get a little shorter shell , 2 5/8" vs the 3 1/2 " . It was a milder load that for a 15 yr old , it was just about right . Regards Paul

MT Gianni
07-14-2020, 10:55 AM
Mine are a Savage 340 in 222, an H&R 12 gauge single shot take down that is lethal at both ends, and a 1917 Enfield 30-06. Both the rifles have modern scopes.

Norske
07-14-2020, 12:06 PM
I have and use my late uncle's 1949 Ithaca 37 12 gauge and a 1952 Savage 99 300 Savage I bought 2nd or 3rd hand.

danmat
07-14-2020, 02:55 PM
Two of my favorites, win. mdl 70s,
270 win. 1949, 264 mag. 1960. Bought these outside a gun shop off 2 young guys 30 yrs ago, they were going inside to sell them.
This shop was known for being cheap, told them whatever he offers id give them 100 more, got them for 600.
They said they were out of work and broke, guns were their mom and dads deer rifles. We exchanged D.L. #s they were from east Tx. in Houston looking for jobs.
I always have doubts on these deals, they got to telling me how much their mom and dad loved deer hunting and he never went without her, i had noticed the 270s stock had been shortened and a pad added. My grandson killed his biggest buck with the 270, and I made my longest shot on a good buck with it. I always feel a little bad for those boys having to sell them, you could tell they did not really want to but were down and out, but I also think about all the joy this couple had hunting together.

rking22
07-14-2020, 03:24 PM
Glad I took a shot and posted this, some really nice stories coming to light. Bet good memories attached too! Hunting and fishing with family, keeping the family guns in the family. I wish that was more common today, but I have made some nice purchases in pawn shops that wouldn’t have occurred if more were like us.
Being from a long line of Tennessee residents, long like on the 1796 state census, there were no deer rifles within the family. There wasn’t a huntable deer herd here till the 60s! My Grandfather was a fisherman and upland hunter. Sadly I know him only from stories told by my Grandmother and other family, he passed before I was born. His guns went to my Uncle and are long gone. I just enjoy the dreaming and thinking about the stories these old guns carry in their wear and scars. I have a first year 16ga M12, bought it from the estate of the grandson of the original owner! I knew the family well, and have several of his guns, we had like taste. M42, Rem M25, Win 04(?), and the 16. Most of the other oldies, I just have to guess at the stories, but that is a lot of the fun. Pleasant diversion sitting in the dove field, or the woods in late fall. For me, it gives me a feeling of more connection to our history, the everyday mans history, that is missing from the books.

Kinda off topic for the hunting forum, but I am meeting a youngster and his dad to help him learn to break some more trap targets. He started SCTP this year but got little practice due to the bug lockdown. I will be taking my WS1 M12 that grew a Polychoke sometime in its past. I don’t have a serious aversion like some do. I figure when junior inherited his dads skeet gun, he added the polychoke so he could hunt with it. Bet he had good memories of his dad shooting skeet with it, but already had a “better” (more modern) skeet gun of his own! Anyway, will be having fun, I’ve missed coaching and watching the pure joy when they “get it” and start really shooting well.

358wcf
07-14-2020, 04:44 PM
I've always been a big fan of older single shot rifles for hunting and plinking here on the farm. Due to a move 2-3 years ago, I discovered a long-lost old stevens model 44 1/2 singleshot in the back of a closet. I've had it forever, and the 22LR barrel was "well used", to be kind. I'm in my late 60's now, and was planning on getting something special for that new grandson that carrys my name- I sent that old stevens off to CPA rifles in Pennsylvania and asked Gail there to restore it to "like new condition and make it safe"- I was advised it would be an easy job, and they could upgrade it as well- so- I packed up some absolutely gorgeous Missouri Black Walnut wood I'd been saving for over a decade, and asked Gail to restock the old rifle, put a new 30" barrel in 25-20 wcf on it, change the single trigger over to double- set, it is now a centerfire as well, and just to make it special for the boy, add a bit of "period correct engraving" on the action. Montana Vintage Arms provided a finely-adjustable tang sight and tunnel front sight. Finished off with new color case hardening on the action and checkering the stock, it is now waiting for that little boy to grow into it-
I had actually forgotten about this long-planned project, until 10:30PM last Christmas eve, when the UPS driver came to the door with long box from CPA rifles--- what a surprize that was!
The boy is still an infant, but he has a special rifle from "Pops" to learn to shoot on, just like I did, some many years ago- I never had anything like this special stevens, but to a young boy when Dad and Pops take you out to the field for training, anything is special. It's the memory that counts, and I wanted it to be a great one!
I have another old stevens single shot laid by in case there is another boy in the family- gotta treat them all alike-- Stevens company records were destroyed in a fire, but this model was only make from 1903 til 1916- no expense was spared on this project, but I can't count the satisfaction of completing this dream gift for the boy.
358wcf

beltfed
07-14-2020, 07:36 PM
Well, Starting with my first gun, a Winchester M37, 16 gauge. Went hunting with my cousin, pheasants, ducks,etc.
Had cut off half the choke to open it up some.
First deer rifle-Cut down M1903A3/1943 Springfield( a shame nowadays). Once hunting, fired one shot at a buck, missed. then had to sell it re. college expenses.
THEN, got THE rifle : A M1886 Win 45-70. My exclusive Wi deer rifle for 20 years. Shot many nice bucks, Cast Boolits, of course. Lyman 457483, 385 gr made into a FP, clocking 1740fps.
Also, another old shotgun for pheasant- Pre War Marlin M90 O/U, 12ga. Hunted over my Shorthairs for years. Still have it. But no Dog of my own.
But I have been the "gunguy" for training my friend's National Champion Griffins. Fun.
Hunted deer also with my Marlin 1893,cal 38-55, but did not get to shoot a deer with my Lyman 375248, 255 handloads.
Second last buck was with my First year Production M1892 Win 44WCF. Again, Cast Boolits- 208 gr HP, 1330fps One shot one kill.
Now, I have another "golden oldie" to deer hunt with; a M99 Savage Light Wt, Deluxe Takedown, cal 250-3000, Vintage 1932. Picked up from
an old time deer hunter in No. Wi. Has a Classic Paul Yeager detachable side mount and a Leo 2-7x scope. I real tackdriver with my 117 gr Horn RNs
(Sorry, I just feel that .25 is not the best in CB persuasion for clean kills on deer, even Tho I have some 85 gr cast FN bullets on hand.)
beltfed/arnie

rking22
07-14-2020, 08:02 PM
358, that sounds like a beautiful rifle, and a wonderful gift. Singles shots are a favorite, but my only vintage ones are 22 bolt guns and a couple shotguns. Have always wanted a nice Stevens.
I ran across a 48 vintage 250-3000 M99 last year, couldn’t resist. Took a deer with it last year, first with a jacketed bullet in quite a few years. I have 2 molds for that gun but need to shoot a couple coyotes with them before deer hunting with it. This years first deer will be with a new underhammer 54 I am working on right now.
Anybody else hooked on squirrel hunting with prewar 22s like the Rem M33 and Win M67? Really adds a challenge and reminds me of my first hunt with Dad carrying the M41 that was always around the place. A very good friend of my Grandmother gave it to her when they moved away, they were fishing buddies. Always going with their husbands, remember several great old pictures. Reminds me, I will take that M41 hunting this fall!

bisleyfan41
07-14-2020, 08:23 PM
Threads like this are what makes this place such a great forum. Love it!

BoolitBill
07-14-2020, 11:32 PM
Back in the 60’s, my uncle loved to hunt and he had a pre-64 Winchester model 70 in 30-06, a Remington 1100,12 gauge, and a High Standard .22 pistol. He would say that is all he needed to hunt everything he wanted to hunt! He was right because he always came home with the meat.

444ttd
07-15-2020, 11:26 AM
my hand-me-down rifle was my great grandfather, pappy, dad, my late uncle and finally me. my sons' can figure out who it will go to next!!!!!!! it is a 1898 springfield armory(bubbasized) in 30-40 krag. it has killed a lot of deer for us. i was the first guy to introduce cast boolits and they are awesome together!!!!! 165gr ranch dog and h4198 going 1930fps is what i use.

my grandfather, pappy, left guns to different family members. my dad, a 22lr in high standard, browning humpback 12ga shotgun, various 22 lr rifles, the 7.5 french and the 8mm lebel(that pap got in WW2) and a whole bunch of guns that i can't remember. he gave his deer rifle, rem 760(made in '53 or '54) in '06 to oldest son.

gkainz
07-15-2020, 12:12 PM
I have my grandfather's JC Higgins 20 12ga (a Hi Standard 200 if I researched correctly), my father's 870 12ga that appears to be a 1957 manufacture, and his Winchester 37 Steelbilt single-shot .410 from the early to mid-1950s.

My brother has dad's Rem 760 Gamemaster in .300 Savage, with stern warning that if it leaves his ownership, it had better go to me or one of my sons.

Each bring cherished memories of hunting and shooting with both gentlemen.

-D-
07-20-2020, 07:35 PM
Here in NYS it would have been a Winchester 1894 or a Remington 760/740 near the top of the list.

In the other part of CNY it would be the hometown product Savage 1899 in .303 or that young upstart model 99 in .300.

koger
07-22-2020, 10:39 PM
We must think a lot alike, I have the identical 141, and 121. My .35 wears a Redfield peep, and is a shooter. I have my grandfathers double barrel, it is a J Stevens, 16 Gauge, choked full and fuller with rabbit ear hammers. It locks up tight, no wiggle in anything, and the locks are like new. He had bought it off his brother in law in the 60's. He was a real hunter, who lived in Illinois, and hunted everything in season. He carried it so much, the checkering was worn thin, and the metal has a even brown patina, but the bores are like new. My grandfather occasionally killed a few squirrels, and foxes when they raided the hen house, and a few groundhogs. They had about 100 leghorns, and the foxes just could not resist them, in a high fenced in pen about 1/2 acre. He would kill 2-3 each spring and summer, that would be it for another year. I vividly recall him shooting at a fox at about 52 yards because I was there, and watched him step it off. A the crack of shotgun, the fox rolled and started rolling around in a circle, the 2nd barrel stilled him for good. When we got there, the hen was still alive, and now worse for the wear, still in the foxes jaws. She had apparently dodged all the shot. Grandpa pried the foxes mouth open and she beat it back to the hen lot. This shotgun resides above my fireplace, with its long barrels oiled and still ready for duty if need be.

rking22
07-22-2020, 11:18 PM
Cool story Koger, good that you still have it! I know what you mean about tight and tighter, those full chokes from back before plastic wads are Tight!! Keep taking them out to hunt, and cteate more memories.

-D-
07-24-2020, 01:35 PM
Not 1954 but how about 1962?

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265211

rking22
07-24-2020, 05:02 PM
Nice pictures, family? I see a M99, a bolt gun and another lever, no scopes that I see. Oh, and a Bug, lots of folks liked them for hunting and fishing around here too, and without any camouflage????:)
Looks like somebody with the lever gun got a spike too. There are some pic threads O have run across about old hunting camps, takes you back.

beezapilot
07-24-2020, 07:03 PM
I grew up on the family farm in CT, my dad was a terror in the woods, always favored .32's. If the story that I remember is right this is the day he got his first deer with his fathers 32-40. Probably 1942 or so with his sister and cousin.
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Ammo was scarce during the war, he set out hunting in 1944 (+/-) after white tail. He shot one and it dropped hard, he walked up to it and the deer got on its feet- he only had the one bullet so tackled the animal with his knife- couldn't come home empty handed you know. He stabbed it several times and with the deer thrashing about managed to put the knife through the back of his left hand. Left thumb never did work quite right after that.

He graduated to a .32 Special, this photo was taken about the time I was born in the old farmhouse. Growing up, he and I hunted with most of these... sure would like to know what happened to that Remington. Long gone before I could shoot it. We had those Trapdoors for fun, the cut-down of course was mine, my dads when he was young, family tradition.
265225

pete501
07-26-2020, 11:17 PM
I grew up in a non-hunting family and the only gun My dad owned was Remington Model 10 12ga pump. Actually a "pre-Model 10". This was a gun that was given to my father by the family of an old Doctor friend C.J. Glaspell. Dr. Glaspell was one of the first Americans to go Europe for WWI as a physician before US soldiers went to fight. He had promised a German Lugar war souvenir to my father but years later when the family settled his estate all that was offered was the Model 10.

Back in the 80's I got invited to a local duck hunt, the model 10 was the only shotgun I had. I remember using masking tape to cover the entire gun and spraying a rattle can camo paint job, heck I didn't even own camo clothing, I wore a printed long sleeve dress shirt.

No ducks flew that day, I didn't even get a shot off.

I still have that gun.

6pt-sika
07-27-2020, 12:44 AM
Oddly enough I picked up a circa 1954 Remington 870 16 gauge with a 28” plain mod barrel last Friday . The blueing is turning brownish and I stripped the stock and forend Saturday now in the process of putting a Tung Oil finish . Even though the exterior looked kinda rough I think that was from sitting in someone’s kitchen sort of close to a stove . The insides looked great and not abused at all . The gun I believe had a side scope mount once upon a time using the two trigger pin holes to mount as it had plenty lead streaks in the choke and a buildup from blow back in the chamber area . It all cleaned up easy enough and for a good bit less then $200 who was I to say no :bigsmyl2: