I have really enjoyed reading this Forum post about what keeps you all motivated and why you do what you do. I have had many similar thoughts and experiences. I too have changed direction, basically because I got old and did not want my wife to have to figure out what to do with 50 old Winchester levers. That may not seem like a lot of guns to some of you, especially Henry Mero, but it is/was a lot to keep track of. I personally have always preferred quality over quantity. But, I have friends who have both and I know many of you do also. I have always had a fascination for the Winchester lever action. My dad gave me a 94 (30-30) when I was 12. With that gun came some advice – he said you only need to own 3 guns and you can do it all – you need a 30-30 Winchester, a 12 guage shotgun and a 22 rimfire. While in high school I would buy an old 94 or 92 at auctions when I could get them for what I could afford. The summer I turned 17 they were building Interstate 90 across western SD where I lived and I got a job building fence – worked 10 hours a day, 6 days a week in the hot sun. When the summer was over, I had saved $1600.00. A guy I had gotten to know who was a gunsmith and owned a gun shop had just acquired a very nice, as nice as there is, Model 1886. It was standard grade, early, case hardened, full octagon, full magazine with a rifle butt in 45-70. I spent much of my entire summer wages to get the gun – my dad thought I was absolutely nuts! A friend of mine, who worked right beside me all summer bought a new 66 Mustang. Forty years later I sold that 86 to Tommy Rholes for a ton of money – way before that my friends Mustang was in the salvage yard! I don’t know that my collection ever had a real theme or focus – I just liked nice levers. So, I would go to either the CGCA or winter Vegas show every year and often buy something. Eventually I had one of each model, both rifles and carbines, standard and deluxe. When I turned 65 I decided to thin the herd and just keep one of each model lever – I never did get quite there and am still working on it. Subsequently, I have decided to just keep one of each model made in the 19th century. I will either have to buy a Model 1885 or just have repeaters because my last single shot sold a few years ago. Once I get down to just the 19th century models my wife should not have any problems dealing with them. Gun collecting has changed so much over the years – too many faked and re-done guns and too many in it for a quick buck. Once thing is evident from reading posts on the Forum, you guys are true collectors. I know all of you prefer a gun show to the internet but guess if it were not for the internet we would not have the Forum. One of the great things about the internet and this Forum is the availability information, especially here on the Forum. If your going to be buying, you certainly need to do your homework or as someone said, eventually you will get burned. I miss old-school collecting, going to gun shows, reading the Shotgun News, Gun List and CADA Gun Journal. There was a time, and not even that long ago, that I found out about good guns in a phone call or a letter – those were the days! I used to get totally pissed because here in Alaska I would not get my CADA Gun Journal until a week after everyone in the lower 48 had theirs.

TXGunNut said
Burt-

Long ago a wise man told me that same thing your dad told you. I believe the three guns mentioned were almost the same but as I recall the rifle was a 30-06. Like you I missed the word “only”. I have all of the above and I probably have a 1911 (or three). And I believe your dad was right because there’s probably a model 94 30-30 rattling around here someplace. 

I have no heirs to speak of so like you I’ve determined to seek quality over quantity. I love to shoot so will keep “shooters” around as long as I do so. I’ve bought a few guns I shouldn’t have; some too nice and some too rough. I’ll sell those to help refine my collection. 

Today I was looking for a Model 67 Youth model to loan my brother to teach his grandkids to shoot. It was not where I thought it was so I practically emptied the safe. While doing so I was surprised to learn my 71 is a Special (Deluxe) model. It’s right there in my inventory.  I suppose if I’m going to refine my focus I truly need to thin the herd. But the 71 stays. Turns out it’s a pretty nice rifle!

 

Mike  

Mike – submit some photos of your 71. It is still very popular here in Alaska and is know as a hardy and reliable gun that both provides bear protection and will put meat on the table. I once had quite a few 71’s and realized a guy could put together quite a collection/display of all the variations when you consider carbines and rifles, special order (deluxe) and standard, short tang and long tang, different sights and then there are the non-348 calibers which Bert has previously provided information about both on the Forum and in a Collector Magazine article. I will add a couple of photos of the only 71 I still have – been in my safe over 40 years but I will sell it if anyone is interested. Burt

I’m sorry Burt, I couldn’t find any pics of my 71. Other than being almost as nice as yours there’s nothing remarkable about it. SN is 27453 (yes, Bert, you have it) and I’m betting that’s pretty close to yours. 

Mike

Hi Manuel : this Colt is ser#175766, 1898 vintage, and yes it is quite a piece, thank You

Chuck said

I hate to hear these called Enfields.  Yes, I know they are mostly the same but are modified to shoot the 30-06.  Winchester called them U.S. Rifle, Caliber 30 Model of 1917.  Many collectors call them an Enfield.  

I call them M1917s too, but the Enfield name is a good reminder that it was not a US design–hence the cock-on-closing action.