Another gun reunion

[jnyork]

I enjoyed 86er's story about being reunited with his old rifle. Here's a similar story, I posted it back a couple years ago but some of the new guys might enjoy it::


Lander, Wyoming in 1948-49 was a small, remote ranch town of about 2500 people where the Great Depression was just starting to end. As a nine year old boy, I would spend my 15 cents at the Saturday matinee and then go hang out at my favorite place, Spaldsbury's Saddlery and Sporting Goods. What a wonderful place it was: odors of new and old leather, new and old horse blankets, pipe smoke, original Hoppes and gun oil, occsionally a faint whiff of whiskey. Glass cabinets full of old Colts and Smith&Wessons. Racks full of Winchesters, Remingtons, Marlins, etc. More racks full of surplus Krags, Springfield bolt guns and trapdoors. Fishing gear too. Spitoons and sawdust on the floor.
One day a brand new Winchester 67 Youth appeared, price only $13.00 IIRC. I had some Christmas and birthday money squirreled away and conned Dad into spliting the cost. I didnt have to sign for it but Dad had to come down and carry it out for me.
I spent the next 3 years or so potting tin cans, stray crows and riding along behind Dad on old Poppin' Johnny, terrorizing prairie dogs. I learned to shoot with that gun.
At age 12 or 13 I got the hots for a new Remington model 512 at Spaldsburys, so I traded in the 67 on it This was in about 1952. Never looked back until much later in life.
In 1982, my Air Force career at an end, I moved back to Lander to start a new life. Every once in a while I would go to a gun show and see a Model 67 Youth and get a lump in my throat, longing for the days of my childhood and kicking my self for ever trading off my very first gun.
About 3 years ago my wife and I stopped at a yard sale put on by an older fellow here in town. He had some guns on a table and there it was, a Winchester 67 youth in very good condition. Got to chatting him up about it and asked him the history of the gun. He said he got it for his little son but the kid never took an interest in it, so it had been in the back of the closet for the last 50 years. I asked him where he got it, he said he bought it used at Spaldsburys in about 1952!! I gave him his $100.00 and ran for my truck , shaking like a leaf!
I cleaned it up and took it to the range to shoot a few cans, which I did, but it was difficult, I kept getting some smoke in my eyes.
My very first gun is back with me, and holds a place of honor in my safe. Life is good.

[GonnePhishin]

Wow, talk about a small world. What are the chances that you would have bought your old rifle back? Now you can pass it on to your children or grandchildren

[olyinaz]

Wow, that is amazing.

[Griff]

I musta missed that the first time around... Good story. Boy gets gun... Boy loses Gun... Boy gets gun back... classic story!

[FWiedner]

I notice that you didn't say that it was the same gun, just that it's the same model.

Timing seems good, and I'd never doubt a fella couldn't recognize his own gun, but did you find some defining or recognizable feature or battle scar from days gone by that indicates that it really is the same gun?

Not trying to take anything away from your prize, it's just passing curiosity.

Either way, you've got a firearm that you cherish.

[86er]

Awesome! It is an strange feeling at first but it is nice to re-acquaint as you know.

[jnyork]

I notice that you didn't say that it was the same gun, just that it's the same model.

Timing seems good, and I'd never doubt a fella couldn't recognize his own gun, but did you find some defining or recognizable feature or battle scar from days gone by that indicates that it really is the same gun?

Not trying to take anything away from your prize, it's just passing curiosity.

Either way, you've got a firearm that you cherish.

This is a very small town and was even smaller in 1952, 2500 people at most. The chances of Spaldsbury having two used Model 67 Youth were absolutely nil.

[samb]

What a wonderful outcome! Thank you for sharing.

[J Miller]

I remember the story from the first time around. It did the same thing to me this time as it did then, made my eyes leak.

I have more than a couple guns I'd love to have back.

Joe

[Blaine]

I love a happy ending....

[OldWin]

That is just awesome. Great story. I have a 67 Boys Rifle I bought for the kids and a 512 that belonged to my Grandfather. Both great rifles.

[Ysabel Kid]

Excellent! These are great stories!!! It is wonderful hearing on these "reunion" stories!!!

[Sixgun]

Another strange coincidence.

But the win goes to 86er as far as "the odds" and "the adventures of a rifle crossing state lines". His rifle made it across the country and yours never did leave town, but....................your rifle wins on "being used" as rifles in Jersey don't get shot while yours probably helped feed a family. ---------6

On further thought, maybe Joe's rifle was used in "bad things" as Jersey is full of mobsters so it may have been used once or twice and then hidden away.

Hey Joe, any threads on the end of the barrel on your rifle?