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Back to the original subject…. I received a response from Jessica re: getting a Cody letter. She said “The only serial number record we will have for this 1906 is the serial number application date, no manufacture info is in the factory records.” She suggested that I reach out to Nathan Bender at the McCracken Research Library. So, I’ve sent an email to him and await his response. I’ve called a few friends that collect Winchester paper to try to pry a copy of the Winchester Herald that has the article showing Nan holding the two rifles… no luck so far. Still the quest continues… Today I’m taking the proper sights to install on the gun, I’ll post updated pics later today.
One can wonder how a presentation gun got to be in such poor condition. Maybe it’s a good idea to leave it as found. Big Larry
+1 on leaving the gun as it is
As someone far more knowledgeable than myself once advised, “preservation not restoration”
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
Well, there’s nothing worse than a blind gun… so adding some sights won’t “hurt”… However, trying to “match” the condition is proving to be a challenge. I used the worst condition rear sight I had and will look for a better match at Cody. The same issue with the front sight. I didn’t have a proper sight in my show case stash, so i grabbed several ivory beaded Lyman front sights, again choosing the worst of the bunch. The owner didn’t want the tang sight since it wasn’t on the rifle in the picture… so I put in some screws that worked with the pistol grip. The butt stock is no longer loose. I need to get the screws plated. I will also be on the hunt for a “donor” inner magazine tube…. While not completely “correct”… it is functional. BTW…. the bore is actually amazing.
November 7, 2015
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Ben said
Well, there’s nothing worse than a blind gun… so adding some sights won’t “hurt”… However, trying to “match” the condition is proving to be a challenge. I used the worst condition rear sight I had and will look for a better match at Cody. The same issue with the front sight. I didn’t have a proper sight in my show case stash, so i grabbed several ivory beaded Lyman front sights, again choosing the worst of the bunch. The owner didn’t want the tang sight since it wasn’t on the rifle in the picture… so I put in some screws that worked with the pistol grip. The butt stock is no longer loose. I need to get the screws plated. I will also be on the hunt for a “donor” inner magazine tube…. While not completely “correct”… it is functional. BTW…. the bore is actually amazing.
Pretty exciting, Ben. Hoping you’ll have time to put together an educational display or at least bring what you’ve found to Cody.
Mike
After the discussion I expected to see worse condition. I don’t think it’s all that bad. Cool about the bore condition.
Ben said
I will also be on the hunt for a “donor” inner magazine tube….
Ben,
Do you know the length of the inner magazine that you need? Somewhere around here I have a box full of assorted old magazine tubes. No guarantees I have what you need, but if I do have the right one, I will be glad to give it to you, gratis.
BRP
The owner didn’t want the tang sight since it wasn’t on the rifle in the picture… Ben said
He thinking like an auctioneer. Though when that photo was taken, the guns had just been presented to her, so she had had no time to set them up the way she preferred. The Rem 24 does have a tang sight.
Blue Ridge Parson said
Ben said
I will also be on the hunt for a “donor” inner magazine tube….
Ben,
Do you know the length of the inner magazine that you need? Somewhere around here I have a box full of assorted old magazine tubes. No guarantees I have what you need, but if I do have the right one, I will be glad to give it to you, gratis.
BRP
BRP… that would be great. Thank you. I will happily trade you one mine that didn’t fit. Are you coming to Cody? The rifle will be with me… I’ll try to get you a measurement next week.
Got to thinking how I should transport the rifle to Cody… went to the safe and pulled out an old leather take down case… 26″ long… just right to put the rifle in broken down. It has a bit of class… less “conspicuous when I walk into the museum.
Plus, I bought a book (12″x16″) of 100 Buffalo Bill Wild West Show Posters off xbay… hoping there will be one with “Two Gun Nan” to display at Cody… if not, it will be fun just to look at. 🙂
Ben said
Got to thinking how I should transport the rifle to Cody… went to the safe and pulled out an old leather take down case… 26″ long… just right to put the rifle in broken down. It has a bit of class… less “conspicuous when I walk into the museum.
It has a LOT of class for sure (no label?), but I like what’s in it a great deal more. I assume you’ve never been able to find the special tang sight made for it, or it would be on the gun.
During the 2 days I once spent in Cody, I think I spent more time looking at the BB posters, art, & other memorabilia than the guns; my favorite: “Je viens.” Nothing better demonstrates his fame at that time.
Ben,
The sign on the entrance door to the Cody firearms museum used to say “No firearms allowed” (yes, I am aware of the irony). I think now it says to “check visible firearms with Security”. To be safe you should probably talk to Bruce Sauers or other BBCotW official to let them know in advance you are planning to bring it in and see if there are any other special requirements. There will probably be no issue but better safe than sorry.
Best Regards,
Jeff
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
clarence said
Ben said
Got to thinking how I should transport the rifle to Cody… went to the safe and pulled out an old leather take down case… 26″ long… just right to put the rifle in broken down. It has a bit of class… less “conspicuous when I walk into the museum.
It has a LOT of class for sure (no label?), but I like what’s in it a great deal more. I assume you’ve never been able to find the special tang sight made for it, or it would be on the gun.
During the 2 days I once spent in Cody, I think I spent more time looking at the BB posters, art, & other memorabilia than the guns; my favorite: “Je viens.” Nothing better demonstrates his fame at that time.
Yes, the GG 1908 tang sight is a bugger to find. I’ve owned several in the past and turned them. Currently, I have four Game Getters… 2 1908’s and 2 1921’s… and 3 H&R Handy Guns all with short barrels… As per advice from an ATF agent, I’ve had the chokes bored out and then re-chambered & rifled to .45 LC (cowboy loads) and they all still shoot .410 🙂 The folding stocks are stored at a friends house. I have a couple sets of 18″ repro-barrels to install some day. Some may be weeping about that, but at least I know they won’t be taken away and me fined or worse….
JWA said
Ben,The sign on the entrance door to the Cody firearms museum used to say “No firearms allowed” (yes, I am aware of the irony). I think now it says to “check visible firearms with Security”. To be safe you should probably talk to Bruce Sauers or other BBCotW official to let them know in advance you are planning to bring it in and see if there are any other special requirements. There will probably be no issue but better safe than sorry.
Best Regards,
Jeff
Makes sense to me. I’ve sent them an email… also offered to loan the rifle to them for the current Buffalo Bill Wild West Show firearms exhibit. It may not be “nice” enough for them though… we’ll see. Ben
The folks at the museum would prefer that I show the rifle to them at the show… so that’s what I’ll do. Since “Two Gun Nan’s” story was the subject of a Death Valley Day’s episode (season 6 ep. 18) I downloaded an app to watch it on my tv… it was interesting. The opening showed Nan firing her pistols towards the camera… not something we see these days. Her cross country journey was the story, including her getting robbed in NY City. The ending had Nan in person talking to the shows host. She was wearing a medal… couldn’t make it out. They talked about her life and had her do a staged trick shot with a single action… of course she hit the target. She was an amazing person.
Remarkable that this series has been preserved, as it wasn’t one of the hugely popular ones like Gunsmoke, Maverick, Have Gun, etc. I vaguely recall watching it a time or two, but it seemed rather dull compared to my favorites, one reason being that there was no regular cast, each episode was self-contained.
Since “Two Gun Nan’s” story was the subject of a Death Valley Day’s episode (season 6 ep. 18) I downloaded an app to watch it on my tv… it was interesting.Ben said
Just watched this episode on YT, though getting through the “lost in the desert” malarkey tested my determination. Revolver looks to me like a K-38 Masterpiece because of the high rib that model has on the brl. If Nan “shooting up the town” is supposed to be factual, I’d have to say I’m pretty skeptical about the series’ claim to be telling “true stories of the West.” Best part of it was Nan’s appearance at the end.
The rifle fits the case rather nicely… just discovered that it needs the right side screw for the slide… something more to scrounge for. Yes Clarence…. I’ve jumped in with both feet on this on… and I still don’t own it…yet.
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