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Remembering Christmas Past
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December 25, 2019 - 6:11 pm
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Burt Humphrey said
I first posted this 2 years ago but thought it would be appropriate to re-post, reflect on Winchester collecting and how my road has continued to change over the last couple of years. The original post contains an interesting story from 1873man (Bob) about family heirlooms – when you read it pay special attention to the photos of the engraved Model 1894 – what a gem it is. Yes, I still have the superb Model 66 carbine which my wife bought me for Christmas 27 years ago. I have sold a lot of my lever action Winchesters over the last few years but the 66 will be one of the last to go. Earlier tonight I pulled every one of my lever action Winchesters out of the safe, put a light coat of snake oil on them and reflected on how long I had owned them and who I bought them from. With one exception, every Winchester I own was purchased from someone that is now deceased. Now, that gives a guy reason to pause and reflect! It seems like I was always the younger guy at the gun shows and I will be 70 in the spring. I do not know where time went and I am sure many of you feel the same way. I have struggled with selling my guns because I don’t need the money and I always miss them when they are gone. However, I don’t want my wife to be burdened with them someday. So, a few years ago I decided I would thin the herd and just keep one of every model lever action – my wife will just have to figure out how to deal with those. I am not down to one of each model yet but I am getting close. I have sold many of my guns to WACA members and I know those that bought them were elated to find guns that were original and correct, having not been thru auctions or on the gun show circuit – my guns were tucked away long before the internet existed. There is a lot of discussion about the market being soft and guns not selling – here on the Forum I can tell many of you are worried. I do not disagree but I think there will always be a market for guns that are original, correct and have condition – actually, good guns are bringing high prices at auctions. Even 40 years ago brown guns were hard to sell and they did not appreciate like the good guns. I have always thought a collector should concentrate on quality rather than quantity – I still feel that way. In the original post 2 years ago I spoke about my old friend Tommy Rholes – what a guy he was and I get teary eyed just thinking about the times we had. I still own a couple of guns that were once in his personal collection. About 40 years ago I was at a Las Vegas gun show with Tommy and as we were pouring blended Canadian down one night in the hotel, he told me ” if you have $10,000 to spend, buy the best gun you can get for $10,000 – don’t go buy 10 one-thousand dollar guns”. I think that was good advice then and it is good advice now. As 2019 comes to a close I would like to wish all WACA members a happy holiday season and the best in 2020. Enjoy your Winchester’s, enjoy your friends, enjoy your family – life is short. Attached is the model 94 family: Top is Model 1894 in 32-40 – Middle is Model 55 in 30 WCF (serial # 5) and bottom is Model 64 219 Zipper.

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I’m not much younger than you, and have been selling off many of mine also for the same reasons except no wife, just kids. I started collecting when I was a kid. My younger brother and I used to hit all the shows in Alaska. Also used to roam the pawn shops in Anchorage back in the days when you could still find collectible firearms there. When my brother passed away, I ended up with his stuff. That kind of took the fun out of it for me, at least for a while. I think about who will buy these old guns in the future. It’s usually the gray hairs that are interested or buying. Funny thing happened a few days ago though. I stopped by a friends house to install a new dishwasher. The 8 year old boy there was watching old Westerns on the tv. Black and white no less. I sat down and chatted with him for a while. Lifted my spirits some. 

Merry Christmas everyone. May 2020 be a great year for you and your family.

Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.

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December 13, 2021 - 10:50 pm
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Merry Christmas to all WACA members. I am off to Mexico for 3 weeks and not sure how good the internet will be where I am going so thought I should chime in a little early. I enjoy the Forum and have learned a lot from those that participate. It gives an old, retired guy something to do every day. It is 12 below zero here now and a lot of snow so looking forward to the warm sun. It has now been 29 years since my wife bought me the 66 carbine for Christmas and I still have it. I often think about the old collectors/dealers from the 60’s and 70’s – with very few exceptions they are gone and all those wonderful old Winchester levers I have been in awe of since I was a boy are now with new caretakers. I have told this story before but here goes one more time —- The summer I turned 17, a buddy and I spent 10 hours a day, six days a week building fence in the hot sun on an extension of Interstate 90 thru western South Dakota. When the summer was over, we had each saved about $2500. My buddy bought a new Ford Mustang, black on black coup with a 289 and 4 speed – he was the envy of all when school started. I bought a Model 86 Winchester in 45-70. It was a case hardened, H checkered gun with full octagon barrel and full magazine with rifle butt. It was mint with the most beautiful burl walnut stocks and belonged to a retiring dentist who had inherited it from his father but had no interest in or use for it. My dad was very unhappy with my purchase and thought I was absolutely nuts. I kept that gun for almost 40 years and hauled it to Alaska with me in 1976. By the time I sold the 86 for a lot of money, the Mustang was worn out, parted out and rusted away. The 86 went to a good home and it will be well cared for. Have a great Christmas and a prosperous new year.

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December 14, 2021 - 9:32 am
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I’ve enjoyed this multiyear Thread and particularly the centerfold quality 66 Win., which genre I know nothing about! 🙂  My observing something of an irony in the fact that it looks so good, casual glance I’d have taken it for a repro!  No offense intended for sure! 

Bert I appreciate your “buy the best gun…” strategy.  But to contrast as ‘not for me’.  First, I’ve never pointedly & primarily bought guns for investment.  The primary factor had to be collector attraction and such “according to my fashion”.  ‘While ‘almost’ never to substantially “overpay”, but investment potential consideration itself; simply a happy bonus as coinciding.  My personal ‘formula’ particularly as ‘fatal attraction’ :), was in the question:  If not to buy this specimen before me; how long and what chances, to a future opportunity.  I might well pay what I considered ‘full bore’, in that context.  Call it “an insurance premium” for achieving ‘bird in hand’!

And for me… the 10 @ decent used rifles at $1K each, definitely my preference. To sound sophisticated, call it “diversified portfolio” and perhaps conclusion in fact.  But I’d rather buy into rifles I could ‘field’; and not worry about a scratch lopping off $1K+ penalty. Rifles with at a bit of shop-wear & beyond’ history, conjuring prior owners & uses. Rifles with ammo yet available as my acquisition era; rejecting obsolete chamberings.  I’ve likely missed some great buys in such ammo context hindsight but “c’est la vie!”  “No lamenting zones here!”  Focus on the great guns I’ve achieved!  For sure!!!

In this Forum, I can enjoy the wisdom & sharing of all you ardent, expert collectors to provide me with opportunity to learn about the rare; to observe & admire the “super guns”.  For me in my safes, the Mulligan Stew formula…  And loving it!  🙂  

Happy holidays & special greeting to Steve & family! 

Best! John

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December 14, 2021 - 4:19 pm
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iskra said
I’ve enjoyed this multiyear Thread and particularly the centerfold quality 66 Win., which genre I know nothing about! 🙂  My observing something of an irony in the fact that it looks so good, casual glance I’d have taken it for a repro!  No offense intended for sure! 

Bert I appreciate your “buy the best gun…” strategy.  But to contrast as ‘not for me’.  First, I’ve never pointedly & primarily bought guns for investment.  The primary factor had to be collector attraction and such “according to my fashion”.  ‘While ‘almost’ never to substantially “overpay”, but investment potential consideration itself; simply a happy bonus as coinciding.  My personal ‘formula’ particularly as ‘fatal attraction’ :), was in the question:  If not to buy this specimen before me; how long and what chances, to a future opportunity.  I might well pay what I considered ‘full bore’, in that context.  Call it “an insurance premium” for achieving ‘bird in hand’!

And for me… the 10 @ decent used rifles at $1K each, definitely my preference. To sound sophisticated, call it “diversified portfolio” and perhaps conclusion in fact.  But I’d rather buy into rifles I could ‘field’; and not worry about a scratch lopping off $1K+ penalty. Rifles with at a bit of shop-wear & beyond’ history, conjuring prior owners & uses. Rifles with ammo yet available as my acquisition era; rejecting obsolete chamberings.  I’ve likely missed some great buys in such ammo context hindsight but “c’est la vie!”  “No lamenting zones here!”  Focus on the great guns I’ve achieved!  For sure!!!

In this Forum, I can enjoy the wisdom & sharing of all you ardent, expert collectors to provide me with opportunity to learn about the rare; to observe & admire the “super guns”.  For me in my safes, the Mulligan Stew formula…  And loving it!  🙂  

Happy holidays & special greeting to Steve & family! 

Best! John  

Post of the year right here!!!Cool

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December 15, 2021 - 7:11 am
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Manuel said

Post of the year right here!!!Cool  

I agree. Thank goodness there’s more than one way of collecting. That’s what keeps this wonderful group interesting.

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 “There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”

Teddy Roosevelt 

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December 15, 2021 - 10:23 pm
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Burt,

Have a great time in Mexico, and I really enjoy your story of the “Winchester and the Mustang”.  You have, and have had some very special Winchesters.

Merry Christmas,

Al

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December 17, 2021 - 12:59 am
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Just a note on comparability the ’86 certainly did increase in value, how much I don’t know ’cause He didn’t say, how ever if the mustang was locked away in the garage and not used, only on sunny Sundays, it would now sell upwards of the $50,000.00 range. I sold a original 29000 mi., 1967 fastback last years for $80,000.00. That car sold new in California in ’67 for $4450.00.

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December 24, 2022 - 8:39 pm
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I would like to continue this mult-year read which I started 5 years ago and wish all WACA members and guests a very merry Christmas. Unlike last year when I was basking in the sun and sipping on Corona’s in Mexico, this year I am spending Christmas in the frozen north where we have had record breaking snow and cold temperatures. I will start with a reply to Henry’s comment regarding the Mustang and the Winchester and just say at the time nobody knew the Mustang’s or Winchester’s would escalate in price as they have. Everyone should collect what they like and what they can afford but many years ago my wife told me she was glad I collected the old Winchester instead of cars because they did not take up so much room! The big difference you will see in these two collectibles over the years is that most, but not all, Winchester collectors want guns which are original and not messed with where car collectors gravitate toward the restored specimens. My personal collection of Winchester levers has been reduced from about 65 to just 8. At first I kept one of each model and then reduced the collection to one of each model manufactured in the 19th century (Model 1866 thru Model 1895). From time to time I miss some of them but knowing I was a good caretaker of the old guns and knowing they now reside in good homes, many of them with WACA members, give me comfort that they will be around for another generation. My passion for them has not diminished but as I aged I just did not want my wife to have to deal with a bunch of guns. So, I guess I am a Winchester collector in remission – I kept a few and I am comfortable with my decision.

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I still read the Forum posts every couple of days and the knowledge to be gained from reading these is phenominal. The detailed knowledge of these old guns by many forum participants is overwhelming – as is the willingness to share that knowledge. We all know there are so many guns which are not right being tucked away by collectors that do not know the difference – I believe there will eventually be a day of reckoning for these collectors and their re-done, fake guns. And, I am an optimist about the future of the collectible Winchester as they were an important part of the history of our great country. I still have the 66 carbine which my wife bought me for Christmas so many years ago and which I used to start this thread 5 years ago. 

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So, happy holidays and wishing all a healthy and prosperous 2023.

Burt

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December 24, 2022 - 8:49 pm
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Merry Christmas Burt and to all the WACA Members!

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Best Regards,

Jeff

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December 24, 2022 - 11:17 pm
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Merry Christmas to all;

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December 24, 2022 - 11:33 pm
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Myself & my envious little brother.  A genuine Stevens Favorite!

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December 25, 2022 - 12:36 am
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Nicely done, Burt!

Merry Christmas from Texas, y’all!

 

Mike

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December 25, 2022 - 1:10 am
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 A Merry Christmas to all.

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December 25, 2022 - 5:18 am
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Merry Christmas!  This is what we all want to see on Christmas morning.  From a bygone era.

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December 25, 2022 - 1:16 pm
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It was a treat to sign on this morning and see such beautiful rifles Cool

Merry Christmas to ALL

Edit –

Bob – I’m still thinking about that engraved M1894 with all those fabulous special order features that came out of your father’s collection.  Just amazing.

It prompted me to reflect over how well it works out for me that none of the Ten Commandments state:  “Thous shalt not covet they neighbor’s rifle.”

I sure could have been in a whole lot of trouble.

 

Wink

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December 25, 2022 - 2:32 pm
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Merry Christmas?

If you can’t convince them, confuse them

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December 25, 2022 - 2:48 pm
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What a great read! Now this is tradition, Merry Christmas to all. btw Bert nice photo of Santa,

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December 25, 2022 - 2:50 pm
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Merry Christmas everyone.  I can’t tell you enough how appreciative I am for all of you who share their knowledge, experience, and experiences, thus making this hobby better for everyone.

Al

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December 25, 2022 - 2:57 pm
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Merry Christmas everyone.  

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December 25, 2022 - 3:53 pm
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oldcrankyyankee said
What a great read! Now this is tradition, Merry Christmas to all. btw Bert nice photo of Santa,

  

The attached picture is last year (2021), and Yes, that is my real beard! (the grandkids think it is awesome!)

 

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