It was a neat old gun, but I really had no use for it. The 1901 Winchester 10 Gauge lever action shotgun pictured above was only in my collection for a short while. Lightly used for such an old gun, it even came with a small supply of the obsolete 2 5/8’’ 10 gauge shells. After a while, I realized that the purchase was strictly a regrettable whim, and I recovered my total investment when I sold it; sometimes it is nicer to have the money than the gun. Guns like that do grow in value over time if well cared for and rarely used, but if I own it, I want to be able to shoot it.
Greetings from Texas,
ReplyDeleteMy 1901 was a Christmas Gift from my wife Helene some years ago. Even though it isn't shot much it will have a safe place in my collection for a couple of reasons. Aside from bragging to guys who found power ties under the tree we use it when lecturing on firearms at writers conferences. It also reminds me of an incident when I was a kid in Nevada.
At an old store / filling station on the road between Winnemucca and Battle Mountain Dad saw a notice about a shotgun for sale. We drove to an old timers shack and he brought out either a 1887 or 1901 and a handful of brass 10 gauge shotgun shells. I had never seen a shotgun rock my Dad like that before.
He chose not to get the fire breathing monster that day, but I will always treasure this one for the memory.
Arthur, it is great to have you stop in. That is a great memory. I liked the 1901 quite a bit, but sometimes I need money more than another gun ;)
ReplyDeleteIt may sound funny because I have never been to Texas, but it has a special place in my heart. Nothing is as American as is Texas (my Mom would have argued that Tennessee is...)
Thanks again,
Zack
Hello James.. My model 1901 has been in my family sinse 1928. My grendfather purchased it in Southern California from a retired Train Conductor who was the original owner. My grandfather passed it on to my father who gave it to me before he passed away. It was used for goose hunting quite a bit by my father & Grandfather but the thing was well taken care of and frankly looks more like a 10 year old gun rather than a 100 year old gun.
ReplyDeleteGary Barnett
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hey there Gary, thanks for stopping in.
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool story. Old guns are great... but we often don't know their history. I love hearing about guns being passed down through families. Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Zack