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“Around 1933, a Mexican couple was traveling illegally towards Wellton from Mexico and crossing the Gila Mountains along one of the old Indian trails, about 1/2 day’s hike from Tinajas Atlas. As they came through a small pass and started down the E side of the Gilas, they saw what looked like a piece of burlap flapping in the wind from behind a sand dune. Upon investigating, they found a cave nearly hidden by the dune and, inside, about a dozen wooden crates full of Winchester .30-.30 carbines dated 1903. Leaving the cache they continued on their journey, were caught by government officers and forced to return to Mexico. The rifles have never been recovered.”
The game is afoot.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
I believe it. In fact, wasn’t that cave alleged to be the entrance to the fabled Lost Dutchman mine?
Maybe, if the History Channel ever finishes up their “Curse of Oak Island” series (now in its 3rd or 4th season), they would be interested in investigating this mystery.
History already did a show in search of the Lost Dutchman Mine:
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
Stirs the imagination….
I am curious how they knew they were dated 1903? I don’t recall seeing any dates on the Winchester crates of that period.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
Stirs the imagination….I am curious how they knew they were dated 1903? I don’t recall seeing any dates on the Winchester crates of that period.
Regards,
Well hypothetically if they were in there original factory shipping crates then its probable they would of had the original shipping manifest (i.e. paper tag) stapled / nailed to the outside of the shipping crate. Being only 30 years old at the time, if the paper was there, I suppose it would have still been legible to read it. But if you found them now I doubt any original part of the paper would be left. Also would imagine that the rifles themselves probably wouldn’t be in good shape. That is if the story is even true at all.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Maverick said
That is if the story is even true at all.
You doubt the validity of info posted on a website? Where’s your faith in mankind?
Gee, you’re probably even skeptical about History’s “Ancient Aliens” series!
I checked Google Earth and the “Old Indian Trail” is now a dirt road through Tinajas Atlas pass and down the other side. It is accessible by SUV and is a heavily hiked trail. I didn’t see a sand dune or a cave…….
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Like Jeff mentioned, it does stir the imagination…possibly with the 1900 dates involving the number 3, that might have to do with the date of the find rather than the dates of the carbines or attached documents. Arizona was a territory until 1912.
James
If Bert would hurry up and finish his survey of ’94’s, we’d know whether to hot-foot it down there or not. All he has to do is add up the carbines that were made in 1903, compare them to his list, and see if a dozen crates of them are missing. Pretty simple.
Come on, Bert. You need a faster horse!
FromTheWoods said
If Bert would hurry up and finish his survey of ’94’s, we’d know whether to hot-foot it down there or not. All he has to do is add up the carbines that were made in 1903, compare them to his list, and see if a dozen crates of them are missing. Pretty simple.Come on, Bert. You need a faster horse!
Hah hah… very amusing. Simple my A$$.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Last year wintering in Yuma a similar story, only it was Pancho Vilas Mod. 1895’s, was floating around up in them thar hills. If I only had the time, its a big country You know.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
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