The rifle, exposed for all those years to sun, wind, snow and rain, was found leaning against a tree in the park. The cracked wood stock, weathered to grey, and the brown rusted barrel blended into the colors of the old juniper tree in a remote rocky outcrop, keeping the rifle hidden for many years.
Engraved on the rifle is “Model 1873,” identifying it distinctly as a Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle. The serial number on the lower tang corresponds in Winchester records held at the Center for the West at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming, with a manufacture and shipping date of 1882. But the detailed history of this rifle is as yet unknown. Winchester records do not indicate who purchased the rifle from the warehouse or where it was shipped.
But was it loaded? And did they find the arrow riddled skeleton of the hunter nearby?
If its cleaned up and still works it would be a hell of a Winchester commercial
ReplyDeleteThe wife, daughter and I hiked up through those Bristlecones on Wheeler Peak at Great Basin some years ago. My wife just reminded me that I may have left my Winchester '73 while we were up there. I'm sure I also left a leather sack of Spanish Doubloons and Capt. Fremont's cannon as well.
ReplyDelete>>>the gun that won the West<<<
ReplyDeleteToo funny....the Sharps rifle made it 'safe' for those with Winchesters and Colts to even venture into the West
Outlaw Juniper trees!
ReplyDeleteFor the Children!!