Story of an 1886 Winchester
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Story of an 1886 Winchester
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:
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:
- Rimfire McNutjob
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 3212
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- Location: Sanford, FL.
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.
... I love poetry, long walks on the beach, and poking dead things with a stick.
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
JOSHUA 24:15
JOSHUA 24:15
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Nice. Really, really nice. Thanks for that.
Kind regards,
Tycer
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- KirkD
- Desktop Artiste
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks for posting that story and the photos. That is the kind of history I love to read about.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
That's a wonderful story - thank you for sharing that. A fitting tribute to a great rifle and person.
Professional Hunter
http://www.TARSPORTING.com
"Worldwide Hunting Adventures"
Professional Hunters Assoc of South Africa
SCI - Life Member
NRA - Life Member
NAHC - Trophy Life Member
DWWC - Member
http://www.TARSPORTING.com
"Worldwide Hunting Adventures"
Professional Hunters Assoc of South Africa
SCI - Life Member
NRA - Life Member
NAHC - Trophy Life Member
DWWC - Member
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.
M. M.
M. M.
M. M. Wright, Sheriff, Green county Arkansas (1860)
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
- kimwcook
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
What a wonderful story. Thank you. I can't imagine anything from my family ending up in a museum. Excellent history.
Old Law Dawg
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thank you very much.
Kevin
Kevin
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Excellent! I hope the document in the photo tells you brother's story.KirkD wrote:Thanks for posting that story and the photos. That is the kind of history I love to read about.
Rob
Proud to be Christian American and not ashamed of being white.
May your rifle always shoot straight, your mag never run dry, you always have one more round than you have adversaries, and your good mate always be there to watch your back.
Because I can!
Never grow a wishbone where a backbone ought to be.
May your rifle always shoot straight, your mag never run dry, you always have one more round than you have adversaries, and your good mate always be there to watch your back.
Because I can!
Never grow a wishbone where a backbone ought to be.
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Excellent story, if only all old guns came with their history.
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
- Sixgun
- Posting leader...
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Great story! And what a great idea from you on the disposition of your '86 and scabbard. 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" -------------Sixgun
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" -------------Sixgun
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Sir, Great story. Thanks for sharing. 1886.
- Modoc ED
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks for sharing that...
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
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- Levergunner 3.0
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Great tribute! Blessings to you and your family.
Thanks, Tom
Thanks, Tom
War sees no color, sex, or ethnic background - wars only see blood shed by our heroes for our freedoms.
I Am An American! Fighting for our Country and our way of life.
Fourth Generation Veteran and Proud !!
I Am An American! Fighting for our Country and our way of life.
Fourth Generation Veteran and Proud !!
- Old Savage
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Great story - great and very interesting rifle.
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Fantastic, very nice to read this, good on ya.
Nath
Nath
Psalm ch8.
Because I wish I could!
Because I wish I could!
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments, it's appreciated.
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- Senior Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Reposting for those who didn't see it the first time. Thanks
- earlmck
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks for bringing that story up again, jn. Great story, and timeless.
The greatest patriot...
is he who heals the most gullies. Patrick Henry
is he who heals the most gullies. Patrick Henry
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
thank you
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- Levergunner 2.0
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.
Thanks for sharing the story. Shows what good people can do for each other.
- Sixgun
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
One of the best posts I have ever experienced on Leverguns. You have done well.------6
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
You beat me to it six, I agree wholeheartedly.Sixgun wrote:One of the best posts I have ever experienced on Leverguns. You have done well.------6
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Agree with the above, thanks for posting this great story.game keeper wrote:You beat me to it six, I agree wholeheartedly.Sixgun wrote:One of the best posts I have ever experienced on Leverguns. You have done well.------6
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Wow! That is quite a story and a very fine looking rifle. Your parents had a lot of heart to help that boy.
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- Advanced Levergunner
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks, I enjoyed it as much as the first time you posted it.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
JOSHUA 24:15
JOSHUA 24:15
- Old Time Hunter
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Absolutely...thank you
- plowboy 45
- Senior Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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!!!
- Canuck Bob
- Senior Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks and God Bless. You sure had outstanding folks resulting in a wonderful family.
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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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- Levergunner 3.0
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
What an excellent story. Thanks for your part in creating it.
Cat
Cat
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
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.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.
My mother in later years was fond of saying the only thing good about the "good old days' was that they were gone.
Re: Story of an 1886 Winchester
Thanks for the rest of the story.