Story of an 1886 Winchester

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jnyork
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Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by jnyork »

In 1933, Earl Ozel Osbon was a homeless waif of 11, living in filthy squalor in a barn on a ramshackle ranch a few miles southest of Lander Wyoming. My parents, who childless at the time, paid the rancher $50.00, took the boy from the ranch and informally adopted him as their own. The family soon found employment at Torrey Lake Ranch, near Dubois, where they lived until 1942.

After being homeschooled to an 8th grade level, Earl spent his teenage years working as a cowboy on several Dubois area ranches. In 1940, he enlisted in the Navy and spent all of World War II in the Pacific Theatre. A career Navy man, he also served throughout the Korean conflict. He died tragically in 1956 while still serving his country.

As partial payment for a summers work on the Double Diamond ranch near Dubois, Earl accepted this rifle as partial payment of wages. He made the scabbard himself and carried the rifle on his saddle for the remainder of his years as a cowboy. When Earl enlisted in the Navy, he left the rifle with his foster father , who then passed it to me, his son . I used the rifle for hunting occasionally, the last time in 2009, harvesting a bull moose only a mile or so from the old Double Diamond ranch. I also shot it quite a bit in Metallic Silhouette.

The rifle is an 1886 Winchester, caliber .33 WCF, made in 1907 and shows the scars of years in the saddle and in hunting camps.

Last Summer, my wife and I donated the rifle, the scabbard and a pair of Earls spurs to the Lander Pioneer Museum. The Museum was very happy to receive the items, and made them a central part of their cowboy memorabilia. There was a nice article in the local paper about the donation, which brought about a truely astonishing event .

Soon after the article was published, I received a call from an elderly lady who told me she had known Earl and wanted me to come over, which I did. It turned out that she, Marie, had been Earls first love, his girlfriend all during his cowboy days in Dubois. He had proposed during the war, but she had turned him down, something she said she had regretted over the years. She gave me some pictures taken of him and his group of friends back in the 1930's and when he was home on leave in 1942. Marie is now my only link to my beloved foster brother, I left her home with tears in my eyes. These are the things that can only happen in small town America.

Here are some pix of the rifle:

Image

Image

Image
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Rimfire McNutjob
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Rimfire McNutjob »

That's a wonderful story. And that '86 still looks really good for its age and the use it's seen over the years. You and Earl both seem to have taken pretty good care of her.
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JerryB
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by JerryB »

That is one precious memory to have. Reckon ya'll done the right thing with the donation of that rifle and spurs, what a fine exhibit it makes.
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Tycer
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Tycer »

Nice. Really, really nice. Thanks for that.
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KirkD
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by KirkD »

Thanks for posting that story and the photos. That is the kind of history I love to read about.
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86er
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by 86er »

That's a wonderful story - thank you for sharing that. A fitting tribute to a great rifle and person.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by M. M. Wright »

Thanks for the story. It's not often one of these old guns retains it's story. Glad you could share it. Looks better than mine from 1916.

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kimwcook
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by kimwcook »

What a wonderful story. Thank you. I can't imagine anything from my family ending up in a museum. Excellent history.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Mac in Mo »

Thank you very much.


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RIHMFIRE
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by RIHMFIRE »

great post....
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firefuzz
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by firefuzz »

KirkD wrote:Thanks for posting that story and the photos. That is the kind of history I love to read about.
Excellent! I hope the document in the photo tells you brother's story.

Rob
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by gamekeeper »

Excellent story, if only all old guns came with their history. :wink:
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Sixgun »

Great story! And what a great idea from you on the disposition of your '86 and scabbard. :D Pretty neat how after all those years, you took out that '86 one last time to bust a moose with it. Great caliber, that 33.

For all of the work and time in the scabbard that '86 went through, Earl did a fine job of keeping it "used, but not abused" :D -------------Sixgun
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by 1886 »

Sir, Great story. Thanks for sharing. 1886.
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Modoc ED
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Modoc ED »

Wow!! What a great story. Very nice looking rifle and scabbard. Your gesture will ensure that Earl's legacy will continue for a very long time.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Hobie »

Thanks for sharing that...
Sincerely,

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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by CEMENTHEAD »

Great tribute! Blessings to you and your family.

Thanks, Tom
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Old Savage »

Great story - great and very interesting rifle.
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Nath
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Nath »

Fantastic, very nice to read this, good on ya.

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jnyork
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by jnyork »

Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments, it's appreciated. :D
Leverluver
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Leverluver »

Scars?? I see no scars. All I see is character that flowed from the man to the gun and back. I salute your brother and your contribution to history. I will make a point to visit that museum next summer.
jnyork
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by jnyork »

Reposting for those who didn't see it the first time. Thanks
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earlmck
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by earlmck »

Thanks for bringing that story up again, jn. Great story, and timeless.
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Grizz
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Grizz »

thank you
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Centennial »

I have always admired and preferred the firearms that got used, rather then ones that sat at home somewhere.
Thanks for sharing the story. Shows what good people can do for each other.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Sixgun »

One of the best posts I have ever experienced on Leverguns. You have done well.------6
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by gamekeeper »

Sixgun wrote:One of the best posts I have ever experienced on Leverguns. You have done well.------6
You beat me to it six, I agree wholeheartedly.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by cshold »

game keeper wrote:
Sixgun wrote:One of the best posts I have ever experienced on Leverguns. You have done well.------6
You beat me to it six, I agree wholeheartedly.
Agree with the above, thanks for posting this great story.
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Dave
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Dave »

Wow! That is quite a story and a very fine looking rifle. Your parents had a lot of heart to help that boy.
rangerider7
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by rangerider7 »

Love your story!
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JerryB
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by JerryB »

Thanks, I enjoyed it as much as the first time you posted it.
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Old Time Hunter
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Old Time Hunter »

Absolutely...thank you
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plowboy 45
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by plowboy 45 »

Great story, I've told several friends and family, about this. One of theses days I may just hop on the old HD, ride out that way and check out this museum. THANKS FOR THIS STORY!!!
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Canuck Bob
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Canuck Bob »

Thanks and God Bless. You sure had outstanding folks resulting in a wonderful family.
klhill
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by klhill »

Wonderful story, thanks you for sharing it.Can you tell us how Earl came to be homeless and living in the ranchers barn? Was he working for the rancher and is that why your parents paid him the $50? God bless your parents for taking him in as their own.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by Catshooter »

What an excellent story. Thanks for your part in creating it.


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jnyork
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by jnyork »

klhill wrote:Wonderful story, thanks you for sharing it.Can you tell us how Earl came to be homeless and living in the ranchers barn? Was he working for the rancher and is that why your parents paid him the $50? God bless your parents for taking him in as their own.
Illegitimate child and unwanted, in those days that was a mighty tough situation. The rancher had him pretty much in a condition of servitude, the $50.00 was as close to buying a person as you could get. His real mother was MIA, showed up in town years later, only to disappear again.

My mother in later years was fond of saying the only thing good about the "good old days' was that they were gone.
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester

Post by klhill »

Thanks for the rest of the story.
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