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December 27, 2024
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Got mine in the mail today – was a busy day, lot of windshield time to show a bid walk and getting ready to turn in to bed directly. So, all I had a chance to do was read the voting flyer and scan through the book; but looking forward to another good read.
Dan
November 7, 2015
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Thanks for the heads-up, Dan. Got mine today, too. Already enjoyed Bert’s Model 43 update. I never noticed all Models 43 had sling swivels. I’m very excited to finally get a chance to read Louis Luttrell’s article on the RCS guns, members of this forum have been getting bits and pieces of this story for years and will enjoy reading more about this man and his guns. Couple other articles caught my eye but I like to ration them out over a week or two.
Mike
May 5, 2022
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I also like Bert’s article on the model 43. I have to wonder was the 43 because of the Savage model 23 or was the model 23 because of the model 43?
Having a few old Stanley planes, I liked Brad Dunbar’s article on the Winchester planes. I do not believe I have ever seen one with a W!
June 26, 2013
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TXGunNut said
I’m very excited to finally get a chance to read Louis Luttrell’s article on the RCS guns, members of this forum have been getting bits and pieces of this story for years and will enjoy reading more about this man and his guns.Mike
Finally got my copy in the P.O. Box today. I too, have been anxiously waiting for the article on the RCS guns. I shared this on the forum awhile back when luck struck me at a local gun shop a few months ago when they called me about a pre-64 model 70 African in 458 Win Mag that walked in the door. At the time, none of us knew the significance of the gold-inlayed “RCS” on the trigger guard and the shop actually discounted the rifle for me since it had “somebody else’s initials” on it. Gun is like new condition and I have my doubts it has ever been fired since it left the factory. It’s nothing like the factory-engraved specimens in the article, but still really cool to actually have a piece of Russell Smith’s collection now in mine–and it’s one of only 1,226 pre-64 Africans Winchester ever made. Anyway, my hats off and thanks to Louis and Kenneth for putting this fine article together and sharing with all of us. My copy will be paired with the rifle as long as I own it.
Don
September 19, 2014
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Don, Now I am really curious! Hope my copy comes soon. For sure keep the article with the rifle!! Tim
January 20, 2023
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Tim, I got mine in the mail yesterday. Much different than last year. Makes you wonder if Rob hasn’t since secured a useful photo of the Postmaster in flagrante delicto?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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Zebulon said
Tim, I got mine in the mail yesterday. Much different than last year. Makes you wonder if Rob hasn’t since secured a useful photo of the Postmaster in flagrante delicto?
I must admit the lady behind the counter where I pick up my mail is a friend and neighbor. The other guy is a long timer who helps her sort the mail. He even remembers my box number when I have a package to pick up. I love small towns!
Mike
January 20, 2023
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deerhunter said
TXGunNut said
I’m very excited to finally get a chance to read Louis Luttrell’s article on the RCS guns, members of this forum have been getting bits and pieces of this story for years and will enjoy reading more about this man and his guns.
Mike
Finally got my copy in the P.O. Box today. I too, have been anxiously waiting for the article on the RCS guns. I shared this on the forum awhile back when luck struck me at a local gun shop a few months ago when they called me about a pre-64 model 70 African in 458 Win Mag that walked in the door. At the time, none of us knew the significance of the gold-inlayed “RCS” on the trigger guard and the shop actually discounted the rifle for me since it had “somebody else’s initials” on it. Gun is like new condition and I have my doubts it has ever been fired since it left the factory. It’s nothing like the factory-engraved specimens in the article, but still really cool to actually have a piece of Russell Smith’s collection now in mine–and it’s one of only 1,226 pre-64 Africans Winchester ever made. Anyway, my hats off and thanks to Louis and Kenneth for putting this fine article together and sharing with all of us. My copy will be paired with the rifle as long as I own it.
Don
Don, you made one mistake. As soon as you got that African in the safe, you should have booked the first available flight to Las Vegas and hit the high dollar Blackjack tables. WHEN YOU HOT, YOU HOT!!!
PS. Don’t forget to save a copy of RIFLE magazine #338, Page 58 et seq, Weiland’s review of the August 2024 Rock Island auction of the RCS Model.70 220 Swift member of Dr. Smith”s famous five. Hammer with buyer premium was a breathtaking $293,000 USD.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
December 9, 2002
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I haven’t received mine yet, but I am looking forward to reading those articles that you guy’s are talking about!
Between Louis, and Bert, I know that I will enjoy both of those articles alone tremendously, not to mention the other anticipated surprises. 
Anthony
December 27, 2024
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Another very enjoyable article is the Rarest of the Rare by Jennifer and Gary Cole.
Dan
December 9, 2002
Online
Dan,
I received my copy today, and will be diving into it shortly.
Jennifer and Gary do a very nice job, as I’m looking forward to that article also, besides a few other interesting articles that I see!
Anthony
June 26, 2013
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Zebulon said
deerhunter said
TXGunNut said
I’m very excited to finally get a chance to read Louis Luttrell’s article on the RCS guns, members of this forum have been getting bits and pieces of this story for years and will enjoy reading more about this man and his guns.
Mike
Finally got my copy in the P.O. Box today. I too, have been anxiously waiting for the article on the RCS guns. I shared this on the forum awhile back when luck struck me at a local gun shop a few months ago when they called me about a pre-64 model 70 African in 458 Win Mag that walked in the door. At the time, none of us knew the significance of the gold-inlayed “RCS” on the trigger guard and the shop actually discounted the rifle for me since it had “somebody else’s initials” on it. Gun is like new condition and I have my doubts it has ever been fired since it left the factory. It’s nothing like the factory-engraved specimens in the article, but still really cool to actually have a piece of Russell Smith’s collection now in mine–and it’s one of only 1,226 pre-64 Africans Winchester ever made. Anyway, my hats off and thanks to Louis and Kenneth for putting this fine article together and sharing with all of us. My copy will be paired with the rifle as long as I own it.
Don
Don, you made one mistake. As soon as you got that African in the safe, you should have booked the first available flight to Las Vegas and hit the high dollar Blackjack tables. WHEN YOU HOT, YOU HOT!!!
PS. Don’t forget to save a copy of RIFLE magazine #338, Page 58 et seq, Weiland’s review of the August 2024 Rock Island auction of the RCS Model.70 220 Swift member of Dr. Smith”s famous five. Hammer with buyer premium was a breathtaking $293,000 USD.
You’re probably right Bill, maybe I should have booked the first flight to Vegas. However, hitting the jackpot twice in a row is highly unlikely considering my track record. I think the most I’ve ever won was 20 bucks off a Bingo scratch-it…I hadn’t heard about that RIA auction bringing nearly $300K for that RCS 220 Swift!! All I can say is WOW!! According to Lou and Ken’s article, all 5 rifles are now united again. I wonder where? Doing that math, that 5 gun collection could be worth well north of $1 million.
Don
July 17, 2012
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All of the magazine articles are great but the REAL secret of our beautiful magazine is the behind the scenes artistic layout from our InDesign guru Brad Dunbar. Kudos to him (every issue) as well.
He modestly claims he is not an expert with the professional program InDesign but one look at our magazine each quarter illustrates his true value to our organization.
The articles are always a worthwhile read but I am ALWAYS impressed with the great layout work and flow of our magazine created by Brad, it is truly exceptional.
Thanks Brad!!!!
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
December 27, 2024
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Thanks Brad!
Dan
April 15, 2005
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JWA said
All of the magazine articles are great but the REAL secret of our beautiful magazine is the behind the scenes artistic layout from our InDesign guru Brad Dunbar. Kudos to him (every issue) as well.He modestly claims he is not an expert with the professional program InDesign but one look at our magazine each quarter illustrates his true value to our organization.
The articles are always a worthwhile read but I am ALWAYS impressed with the great layout work and flow of our magazine created by Brad, it is truly exceptional.
Thanks Brad!!!!
As a frequent contributor, I second that motion!!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
Online
I will also agree on what Brad Dunbar, adds to the Collector, and as far as behind the scenes, it has to be planned out to a, “T”, as it shows in the finished product!
Glancing through the Spring issue last night, I found one interesting article after another. What another great edition. Definitely one to read more than once!
Anthony
November 5, 2014
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I also want to add my THANKS to Brad for his outstanding work on the WACA magazine and calendar. Creating a finished product that is as polished as the magazine is FAR beyond most of us… I seriously doubt I’ll ever figure out how to make Adobe InDesign (the layout program used by many professional publishers) work, and Brad’s skill with Photoshop is exceptional. He makes the “author” look good!!! 
As for the RCS article that Ken and I did, I have to say it was certainly fun for a Model 70 fan like myself to get to examine and photograph those Ulrich engraved rifles. You really can’t appreciate the workmanship from my poor photos, but if anyone’s interested enough, look at the pictures in the on-line version of the magazine. The resolution in the photos is much better that can be captured on the printed page.
An interesting aside is that most of Doc Smith’s (107) Model 70s were not personalized, like these guns or Don’s African. I have a couple Model 70s in my collection, transition Super Grades in 220 SWIFT and 30 GOV’T’06, that were originally purchased by RCS. The only way of knowing this is that they are listed by serial number on the RCS collection inventory that Norm Schnoover put together in 1972. Don’s 458 WIN MAGNUM was one of two Africans owned by RCS, and his is listed in the inventory by serial number and mentioning the RCS monogram. Neat provenance!!!
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
February 17, 2022
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I can’t say enough about the “mag”. I look forward to it every time. Brad appears to be a true genius in producing it, and the calendar. Every issue makes me want to run out and take pictures for it. I truly love that so many members are willing to share their collections with us. Not to mention the work that Bert and others do with the survey’s and writing the excellent articles to keep us informed of what they are finding in this world of collecting. It doesn’t go unnoticed, just often unsaid. Thanks to all of you that put all this effort in to these things.
May 23, 2009
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Not to beat a dead horse! Brad is invaluable in my opinion and is very deserved of high praise! Of the few articles I’ve submitted to the magazine, he has always been very helpful in completing them and makes it all the more pleasurable in writing them. Always a straight shooter.
Many Thanks.
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
December 30, 2011
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Thanks for all of the compliments guys. I’m definitely not an expert or a genius on InDesign though. Can’t do it without getting good images and articles submitted in the first place. We’ve got a good group of proofreaders on the job too. I’m glad that you continue to enjoy the magazines and calendars.
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