24 | WINCHESTERCOLLECTOR.ORG • Fall 2022 e collect old Winchesters today based on their historical appeal, craftsmanship, originality, fine mechanics and beautiful wood as they are much more than just shooters. There was a time when this all began—when we first became interested in these old guns. When I was a just a kid, I grew up watching TV westerns of the era—Rawhide, Gunsmoke, Bonanza and The Rifleman, to name a few. And then there were those other favorites, although without lever actions, like Rat Patrol and Combat! starring the Thompson Submachine Gun (also starring Vic Morrow)—which is probably why I always wanted one, and still do today. Yet it was those Westerns that got me started on my quest to own a leveraction Winchester, along with a Colt Single Action (with a holster rig of course). Yes, I owe a lot to Hollywood. Not so much for historical accuracy, which most shows during that era weren’t in regard to the firearms. I pretty much owe all of the joys of my years of collecting to seeing these arms in use on the big screen. These movie prop guns were either owned by the studios themselves or rented. One of the most famous old-time firearms rental agencies was Stembridge Gun Rentals, formed in about 1920 by James Stembridge and the legendary director Cecil B. DeMille to supply guns to the movie industry. Until 1979, the company operated independently in a secure warehouse located on the grounds of Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California, with no corporate affiliation to Paramount. The backbone of the business was its manager Fritz Dickie, who reigned from 1927 until 1974. In later years, the company was run by Syd Stembridge, whose father was the nephew of the founder. Our good friend and honorary WACA member Peter Sherayko of Caravan West Productions out of Agua Dulce, California, currently supplies the Hollywood Western movie W Model 92 OctagonBarrel Saddle Ring Carbines by Rob Kassab #4144LB
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