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Over the years, we’ve often discussed how to reach a new generation of collectors. One of the biggest issues is where to reach them. We don’t see many of the younger generation at gun shows that cater to vintage firearms and, if we do, they’re usually bored stiff. We have a fabulous quarterly magazine, but the younger generation doesn’t read much print media these days.
I’ve been a high school coach for nearly four decades and I’ve watched as teenagers and younger staff members increasingly spend more of their lives wrapped around social media and video content. They’ve grown accustomed to having information instantaneously spoon fed to them. When I go to those outlets to look for interesting content on the guns we appreciate, there’s not much to find. For instance, if you go to YouTube and look for videos of your favorite Winchester model, the more popular channels will typically feature reproductions or someone will make a short clip where they just take an old gun out to the range and film themselves shooting up a magazine full of cartridges. It seems like the only vintage firearms that get much attention are the military rifles.
Last year, I produced a video that we put on social media where I talked about, and shot, some flatside 1895’s to help promote Rob Kassab and Brad Dunbar’s book on 1895’s. It met with a fair amount of interest and I’ve since been working on producing some videos for YouTube. I hope to make them entertaining for those of us who already appreciate our kinds of vintage firearms. But, maybe more importantly, I’d like them to appeal to a younger generation of potential collectors who may have not been exposed to vintage firearms in a way that would pique their interest.
I just got a channel set up on YouTube called, “The Cinnabar”. Currently, I’ve just got a couple of videos uploaded. If anybody gets a chance to watch them, I’d appreciate your ideas and feedback on how to improve them and broaden their appeal to the novice, or next generation, of collector.
The first is a short introduction:
The next presents the 1866-1895 Winchester leverguns:
Thanks, Mark
Very worthwhile post and videos, Mark. Thank you for taking the time to make both. Hopefully, they will inspire some young folks to gain a great appreciation for this part of our history as much as they have older folk like me!
James
Kudos Mark! Great stuff and we look forward to seeing the next video. If we can help, just let us now. If you want to expand the experience, I’ve got lots of Springfield trapdoors, Krags and the various WWI/WWII Model 1903s and Enfields I can contribute……………
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Beautiful rifles in a beautiful setting. Subscribed. Thanks for sharing Mark.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
Awesome video Mark. Please do more!! And beautiful property.
RickC(AG)
Thanks fellas. I appreciate the input. I’m working on a few more right now. Just finished one up on the Model 53.
Rick Hill said
Kudos Mark! Great stuff and we look forward to seeing the next video. If we can help, just let us now. If you want to expand the experience, I’ve got lots of Springfield trapdoors, Krags and the various WWI/WWII Model 1903s and Enfields I can contribute……………
Thanks Rick. Sounds like it could be fun. I have plans for a video soon on military rifles, 1895 muskets. Hope to see you and Georgia at Cody. Mark
Mark, watching your videos is a most pleasant experience. Whenever I see landscape like that I have to wonder how anyone who lives there can get anything done and then to have a table of rifles to pick up and shoot in the outside like that is almost overwhelming. I can’t wait to see your next ones. Funny enough I have a similar feeling about my Winchesters and Colts as I do my pup and when I was watching I had this feeling of wanting to send them out there to retire where they would feel a kinship with the land. Speaking of Colts maybe if your wife shoots hers you could get her to do a “companion” shoot.
Saying “keep up the good work” falls short with your productions.
Great work on the videos Mark. I’m going to make sure my son sees these. Keep em coming.
Al
jban said
Mark, watching your videos is a most pleasant experience. Whenever I see landscape like that I have to wonder how anyone who lives there can get anything done and then to have a table of rifles to pick up and shoot in the outside like that is almost overwhelming. I can’t wait to see your next ones. Funny enough I have a similar feeling about my Winchesters and Colts as I do my pup and when I was watching I had this feeling of wanting to send them out there to retire where they would feel a kinship with the land. Speaking of Colts maybe if your wife shoots hers you could get her to do a “companion” shoot.Saying “keep up the good work” falls short with your productions.
Thanks so much for the glowing review. I have to admit that after I had finished downloading the videos, I had second thoughts about making them public. It’s reassuring to hear that people like you are enjoying them.
Unfortunately, my lovely wife is pretty camera shy, so I doubt we’ll get her in front of the camera. Thankfully, she’s very patient about me raiding her gun safe, so I’ve got a couple of videos coming up where I’ll be showing off some of her guns.
After reading your post, I think “The Cinnabar Retirement Home For Winchesters and Colts” is a wonderful idea. Feel free to send them out and we’ll give them a fabulous home. You could even keep an eye out on our channel to catch a glimpse of them in their natural environment. 
Thanks again for the kind words. Mark
November 7, 2015
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Nicely done, scenery was a bit distracting. 
I’d like to see you spend a little more time featuring the individual guns in the lever action video. Each would make an interesting show on it’s own merits. I’d also like to see a show on reloading and maybe even bullet casting. I’d miss the beautiful backdrops but I feel making ammunition is an important part of collecting old Winchesters, at least for me.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Nicely done, scenery was a bit distracting.
Mike
Thanks for the suggestions Mike. That really helps. As I mentioned in the video, I plan to make individual videos for each model in the future. I’m trying to keep the length to 15 minutes or less, so had to just do a cursory introduction of each in this one or I’d have probably lost everybody but us die-hard Winchester fans. I figured people want to see some shooting more than listen to me.
I may do some casting and reloading videos when the snow flies, but there are many, many of those kinds of videos available on YouTube and I’m trying to keep the content fairly original. Perhaps topics that relate more specifically to casting and reloading for vintage firearms. I’d love to hear some suggestions if you have some. I’ve got lots of components and about 2,500 pounds of lead in the shop just itching to be put to good use.
I just wrapped up a video on the model 53 and there’s an Elmer Keith tribute coming up soon, so stay tuned.
I hope we’ll see you at Cody this year. Thanks for watching and thanks for the suggestions. Mark
The sprinkling of chuckling illustrates your joy in shooting these rifles–refreshing!
While viewing, I imagined Grandpa Clarence, Uncle Walt, and others of the family in their younger days, riding along the edges of that basin. Thank you for bringing them back for a bit.
FromTheWoods said
The sprinkling of chuckling illustrates your joy in shooting these rifles–refreshing!While viewing, I imagined Grandpa Clarence, Uncle Walt, and others of the family in their younger days, riding along the edges of that basin. Thank you for bringing them back for a bit.
Glad you enjoyed them!
It seems to me you mentioned that they used to help the ZX Ranch gather and trail cows. The ZX Trail climbs up over the rim very near where these videos are being filmed, so it’s likely they rode right by here back in the day. The big ZX cattle drives are a thing of the past now that they truck their cattle, but other local ranchers still use the trail as a driveway to high country pasture in the spring and back in the fall.
November 7, 2015
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I suppose you’re right about the YouTube videos about reloading and casting, Mark. My thought was to make it about the gun by featuring a given rifle and cartridge and discussing reloading and casting as a way of encouraging viewers to enjoy them the way they were meant to be. As you know many old Winchesters have no (affordable) factory ammo available so handloads are the best option. In keeping with your 15 minute time frame I’m thinking time would be best spent reviewing loading dies, tools, moulds, bullet design, pet loads and little tricks you may have picked up instead of the nuts and bolts covered elsewhere. Maybe even touch on BP, that would make for a fun show. May even be able to sneak in some vintage loading tools and moulds to be consistent with your mission. I’m hoping you’ll make time for an episode about your 44 rimfire adventure.
Mike
Outstanding job! Beautiful area and old lever guns that fit. Love it when that leave that cloud of smoke.
Shortgrub said
Outstanding job! Beautiful area and old lever guns that fit. Love it when that leave that cloud of smoke.
Thanks a bunch Shortgrub. I’m glad you liked it. Stay tuned, we’ve got several more in the works.
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