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April 3, 2018
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Bert;
The latest American Hunter Summer Edition 2025 has a reader letter
citing Ben Lilly and the Winchester Collector. The American Hunter had a previous article on Holt Collier as a guide to Theodore Roosevelt on his
famous bear hunt in Mississippi at the turn of the previous century. But the original AH article failed to mention Lilly. As 1886 Winchesters were carried by
Roosevelt and his guides, a correction was needed.
An alert editor caught the omission and the reader’s letter. The reader happened to be a WACA member, knowledgeable of both Ben Lilly , the Collector article,
and 1886 Winchesters. He should be, as your obedient servant ready for all things 33 WCF/1886 related.
April 15, 2005
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450 Fuller said
Bert;The latest American Hunter Summer Edition 2025 has a reader letter
citing Ben Lilly and the Winchester Collector. The American Hunter had a previous article on Holt Collier as a guide to Theodore Roosevelt on his
famous bear hunt in Mississippi at the turn of the previous century. But the original AH article failed to mention Lilly. As 1886 Winchesters were carried by
Roosevelt and his guides, a correction was needed.
An alert editor caught the omission and the reader’s letter. The reader happened to be a WACA member, knowledgeable of both Ben Lilly , the Collector article,
and 1886 Winchesters. He should be, as your obedient servant ready for all things 33 WCF/1886 related.
I do not have a copy of that publication… can you send me a scanned copy of it?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 3, 2018
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Bert:
Let me work on getting that together for you. ( The American Hunter is a companion magazine to the American Rifleman, both publications of the National Rifle Association based in N. Virginia,)
Ridge
July 17, 2012
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Ridge,
I don’t see it in the June and July American Hunter magazines but I have not gotten my August yet, is that where it is?
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 8, 2024
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Yes, It is in the current American Hunter magazine. It will be found at the beginning in the readers write section.
April 3, 2018
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Bo is correct. It is in the Says You: Reader’s letters column for the August/2025 issue. Brown bear on the cover: very fitting for Ben Lilly.
July 17, 2012
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I found it, it was in my 2ft high mail pile….
Here is the letter posted in the latest American Hunter magazine.
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
April 3, 2018
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Thanks Jeff-
Bert will be able to see it here. T. Roosevelt was definitely amazed at Lilly’s endurance and hunting prowess.
Both the 1886 and Model 71 Winchester rifles are still in use in the northern forests of Alaska and Canada, as well as the New Mexico mountains.
Ridge
December 9, 2002
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Not to get off track here, as I’m enjoying this information also. Currently on Prime, the series with Teddy Roosevelt, in his earlier years, “Elk horn”. I see there’s another, program after we watch this one, called, “Roosevelt”! 
It’s all T.R. related, so I thought I would add it.
Anthony
November 19, 2006
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And Ben Lilly stashed his .33 WCF rifle somewhere… and as far as people know, it’s never been found?
September 19, 2014
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That seems to be the case as I recall. I paid particular attention as I really like the caliber myself. Tim
April 15, 2005
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steve004 said
And Ben Lilly stashed his .33 WCF rifle somewhere… and as far as people know, it’s never been found?
That would most definitely be a rifle to own!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 19, 2014
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I would not be too surprised if this rifle was found by someone long ago. If they did not know its history and viewed it only as a gift by providence, it likely went on to a second career in a family. As happened with Bo Whoop that was lost along a road in Arkansas and promptly picked up by a timber cutter. It only came back on the scene maybe 10 or 15 years ago after having been advertised as lost, and a substantial reward offered for its return. Bo Whoop belonged to Nash Buckingham, was special bored by Burt Becker and shot nearly 100% patterns with Super X magnums. It was very famous as well as its owner in the days long ago. If you found some nice Winchester rifle, would you really go out of your way to find its proper owner? Now, Bert and I would as would many brought up right. But if you and your family had a hard time finding two pennies to rub together? Just my thoughts. Tim
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