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One of the biggest reasons I started collecting Winchester’s is the history & the time & place of these magnificent firearms.
More than anything I absolutely enjoy reading about a rifles story or history, especially when it’s intriguing regardless whether it’s a family story or a story of a notable owner, it’s journey etc.
I will start this one off with an 86 I own from Canada that was in a family 4 generations. This button mag rd barrel 45-70 was said to be bought in 1916 in Amherst NS, Canada by the owner who incidentally was called to war immediately after buying this rifle. Sadly he never made it home. The last 3 generations confirm they never shot it & it would appear unfired if you saw the bore. The ser # search confirmed the configuration & the place of sale, and this was after the purchase.
The great niece who parted with this rifle wanted it to go to someone who respected the rifle as well as its history. I hate to admit I own a safe queen, but if I’m going to have one, this is it.
RickC(AG)
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Rick,
It is just another “story” unless you post pictures of it!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Rick,It is just another “story” unless you post pictures of it!
Bert
Just added a picture of the search Bert to the original post. The receiver was serialized in 1914 but wasn’t shipped until 1916. Maybe due to the demand for rifles at this time by the military regarding the war effort. I don’t need pics to hear others stories.
RickC(AG)
I like old guns and stories, too. I’ve mentioned this story on the forum a time or two in the past. Very briefly, this is a story of a beautiful old and all original Winchester 1890 with three special order sights. And, as we should all know these boy’s rifles were not owned by the typical American kid, unless it was somewhat of a unique situation, but generally owned by kids whose parents were well to do.
I purchased this little jewel that was on auction at GB, and as you can see it came with its canvas case. Tied to the case handle is a shipping label addressed to Harold W. Hunsiker Jr., Elkhorn Ranch, Ennis, Montana. The day that I saw it on auction, I made a search on ancestry.com and immediately found him and his family that lived in New York at the time. Shortly thereafter I found an Elkhorn Ranch a fairly good distance from Ennis that might well have been the one in question. It is a Dude Ranch that was established in 1922 and catered to those who could afford such luxuries about the time of the Great Depression era. The company that made the shipping tag dates back to 1922 as well. The exact year that Junior visited the ranch is not known, but it was probably during a family affair by rail before 1930, that, or perhaps a father and son adventure.
In 1920 H.W. Senior was the manager of a Motor Service Company in Buffalo, NY. He was married to Florence and they had Mimmette (Minnette) H.W Junior, and three female servants from Scotland, Bavaria, and New York. As I remember, Junior was born about 1915/16 and Mimmette was born about 1918…(but ya’ll know how memories go).
In 1930 H.W. Senior Was a Bank Broker whose home was valued at $100,000. The family had grown older, but not in size, and had two female servants…from England and Germany(?).
The members of this family traveled a great deal at home and abroad. Harold Senior and Junior served in the military. Senior died in Nevada, I believe it was. I believe Florence died in New York. Mimmette (Minnette) married a man named Herbert Cummings and she died in Portland, Maine. Junior passed away on 20 December 2011. I purchased this rifle in April 2012 from a party near Portland, Maine.
I’m practically certain the provenance mentioned is correct, but the rifle missed lettering by a few months, if that…so, perhaps, this old and beautiful 1890 was a gift to his father when he was a kid and it was brand spanking new!
James
UPDATE: Harold W. Hunsiker Sr was in New Haven Connecticut in 1907 where he resided at 96 Wall St – reference The Yale Banner for the Sheffield Scientific School for Science and Engineering for 1907. (The school was named after Joesph Sheffield, a railroad executive.) This rifle has a polishing room record date of 11/1 1907. (He was 20 years old at this time.) 
Added: As for as potential provenance goes now, Old-Colts might say…the only thing better would be a picture of him holding the rifle…and I might add…a sales slip and the box!
Thanks again for starting thre thread, Rick!
Thank you for sharing James. Great story and nice gun!!
RickC
RickC said
Thank you for sharing James. Great story.RickC
You’re welcome, my friend! And thank you for starting the memories all over again…it just never gets too old to enjoy!!!
James
jwm94 said
You’re welcome, my friend! And thank you for starting the memories all over again…it just never gets too old to enjoy!!!
James
Absolutely James. I’m hoping to hear from any member, the land down under, Canada, the U.K, South America, wherever. Keep the stories coming.
RickC said
Absolutely James. I’m hoping to hear from any member, the land down under, Canada, the U.K, South America, wherever. Keep the stories coming.
I’m going to repeat myself here, RIck, and post an update to the story about this rifle for the benefit of those who have read about it:
UPDATE for above mentioned 1890: Harold W. Hunsiker Sr was in New Haven Connecticut in 1907 where he resided at 96 Wall St – reference The Yale Banner for the Sheffield Scientific School for Science and Engineering for 1907. (The school was named after Joesph Sheffield, a railroad executive.) This rifle has a polishing room record date of 11/1 1907. (He was 20 years old at this time.)
Added: As for as potential provenance goes now, Old-Colts might say…the only thing better would be a picture of him holding the rifle…and I might add…a sales slip and the box!
Thanks again for starting thre thread, Rick!
November 7, 2015
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As far as I know my rifles and shotguns have no stories that I can relate. I like reading those stories but I’m just as fascinated, maybe more, by the stories of the people who worked for Winchester (and FN, Marlin, Colt, Sharps and Whitney, among others). I believe the early1860’s until about 1900 is the golden age of firearms development and advances in manufacturing technology. The stories of the men who actually got their hands dirty making all this happen fascinate me.
Mike
Mike: I’m glad that you like reading about the stories that come with some guns. I’m like you in that I’m fascinated by other aspects associated with many makes and models and their manufacture as well. It is truly addictive…and fun!
Rick: In Dale Olson’s book, The Burgess Long Range Repeating Rifle Model 1878, he relates a good number of stories…all of which makes for great reading, to include, the one-liner that has to do with a used and rusted up Burgess receiver and barrel that was found at a garage sale in Alaska that was said to have been found in an old gold mine that was not far from Nome. And, the one about Israel Hutchins and the Beast. Israel left Nebraska in 1881 with his wife and two children and headed west. They settled for a short spell in Medford, Oregon, but after another child was born in ’82 they left and headed NE by way of the 4th of July Pass in Idaho, to eventually settle south of Ennis, Montana…by this time they had four children. Israel used an 1878 Long Range Burgess rifle in 50 caliber…a big heavy rifle to kill what was known by the Indians as a Shunka Warak’in in the winter of ’85. The Indians said the creature would visit camps in the dark and steal their dogs away. It’s a good long story, one of many that Dale has recorded in his book.
James
Will definitely follow up on that one James. Very interesting & intriguing. Thanks for forwarding this.
RickC
RickC said
Will definitely follow up on that one James. Very interesting & intriguing. Thanks for forwarding this.RickC
It really is intriguing, Rick! Did you pick up on the Ennis, Montana, locale in connection with the 1890 and the Burgess!!!
James
jwm94 said
It really is intriguing, Rick! Did you pick up on the Ennis, Montana, locale in connection with the 1890 and the Burgess!!!
James
Yes the Hunsiker connection. Just web surfing the names and places now.
RickC said
Yes the Hunsiker connection. Just web surfing the names and places now.
Google Shunka Warak’in for pictures of the Beast!
The title to this thread reminded me of a favorite quote and got me to thinking, is a Winchester anything like John Colter? If so, I might be able to help.
“In some western states this technique of elaboration to the point where it merges into untruth, is called “stuffing dudes.” Every native born westerner numbers among his inalienable rights the license to use this technique upon occasion, and considers it a gross breach of hospitality if a visitor leaves without having had a few whoppers thrown in with the usual descriptions of the country and it’s customs. Several subjects are rarely discussed under such circumstances without stretching the truth, and in telling the Colter legend, by tradition, it has become almost compulsory to exaggerate. And since no one can study Colter’s accomplishments without being affected to some degree by the contagious desire to improve on truth, I have thought it wise to work off my touch of the disease in Chapter One. Stern searchers after fact are hereby directed to begin reading at Chapter Two.
. . .
The men of the frontier believed that if a yarn told with punctilious respect for the truth fell on unbelieving ears, it was proper to elaborate on the story and make it a good one.
. . .
Therefore, it is obvious that the traditional ridicule of the stories about Colter’s Hell did not originate with his contemporaries, but rather with those who preferred to rely upon the writings of cloistered, learned men and scoffed at the reports of those who told of what they had actually seen.”
John Colter, His Years in the Rockies, By Burton Harris, Bison Books, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln and London, 1993.
A gun I recently sold, thank heavens it’s still in Canada: Winchester mod’94 ser#738823, 20″ s.r.c. Cdn. proofed, was issued to the Canadian Navy, to a convoy, supply ship called the Inverlyon. They were confronted by a German U-boat to surrender. A deck hand poked a hole in the U-boat with the 2″ deck gun, rendering the the U-boat helpless. The crew of the Inverlyon let loose on the U-boat with their Winchesters and Colts forcing the U-boats surrender. There is a magazine article on the whole affair and is quite a story. Another I just sold to a young local just starting his Winchester collection, is Mod. ’94, 30-30, 20″ carb. ser#1,800,305 (1951), that I purchased from a gentleman from Manitoulin Island some time ago. He told Me that gun fed his family rabbit, venison, moose and bear meat for over 50 years. His hand and finger prints were in the metal, at the carry point, where the finish had been worn away from carrying it many many hours. I called it the “Manitoulin Deer Hunter”. I sure would like to know the story behind the Win. mod. ’73 s.r.c. I have, It is ser# 143213 and is gold plated etc. and engraved with the Peruvian Coat of Arms and shipped in 1884 with 5 other guns with the same options. Lots of guns, lots of stories, not enough money to get ’em all.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
A gun I recently sold, thank heavens it’s still in Canada: Winchester mod’94 ser#738823, 20″ s.r.c. Cdn. proofed, was issued to the Canadian Navy, to a convoy, supply ship called the Inverlyon. They were confronted by a German U-boat to surrender. A deck hand poked a hole in the U-boat with the 2″ deck gun, rendering the the U-boat helpless. The crew of the Inverlyon let loose on the U-boat with their Winchesters and Colts forcing the U-boats surrender. There is a magazine article on the whole affair and is quite a story. Another I just sold to a young local just starting his Winchester collection, is Mod. ’94, 30-30, 20″ carb. ser#1,800,305 (1951), that I purchased from a gentleman from Manitoulin Island some time ago. He told Me that gun fed his family rabbit, venison, moose and bear meat for over 50 years. His hand and finger prints were in the metal, at the carry point, where the finish had been worn away from carrying it many many hours. I called it the “Manitoulin Deer Hunter”. I sure would like to know the story behind the Win. mod. ’73 s.r.c. I have, It is ser# 143213 and is gold plated etc. and engraved with the Peruvian Coat of Arms and shipped in 1884 with 5 other guns with the same options. Lots of guns, lots of stories, not enough money to get ’em all.
Wow, now that’s what I’m talkin about Henry. Awesome stories. I appreciate you offering this up, as will many others. Hoping now someone here knows more about the Peru gun.
RickC
January 26, 2011
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I only have one rifle I can think of that has a “story”. Its a Model 57 with a letter of provenance from the original owner. My father purchased it from him back in 1994 and the M57 ended up in my collection after my father had passed. The original NoBuckl sling has the mans name on it and the letter is very interesting. Its actually quite refreshing to try and place yourself in the mans story and think of those simpler times.
Some of you have seen this one before, but I thought it fit the topic. Hopefully the letter file will open.
~Gary~
Great stories Henry and pdog! Very enjoyable reading.
pdog, I have found out first hand that the Model 57 is an incredibly accurate rifle! BTW, what is the serial number and barrel date?
James
January 26, 2011
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jwm94 said
Great stories Henry and pdog! Very enjoyable reading.
pdog, I have found out first hand that the Model 57 is an incredibly accurate rifle! BTW, what is the serial number and barrel date?
James
23850 (noted in the letter)
31 barrel date
~Gary~
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