My first Levergun

[Bob Hatfield]

In 1960 I got my first lever gun. I was 5 years old living in Detroit Michigan. It was a cap busting 'Rifleman's" rifle. No not a model 70 Winchester but a plastic 92 Winchester with a loop lever and a doo-Hicky on the lever to trip the trigger just like "Pa".

My parents didn't know it, but I would awake in the middle of the night and undo the package the rifle was in under the Christmas tree and get the rifle out and play with in several nights before Christmas. Then put it back in the wrapping paper where I just undid the end and tape it shut. I probably acted surprised on Christmas.

Just think, me and dad and Nikita Khruschev was watching the Rifleman together. Below is a picture of me and sis. She has her "Patty Play Pal" . I'm in the background wringing out the Plastic Winchester.

Screenshot_20200818-174939_MyHeritage.jpg

[gamekeeper]

I wonder how many Winchester and Marlin leveraction rifles have been sold due only to the plastic cap busters enjoyed in childhood....

Love the old photo.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Probably a lot!!!!

[Bill in Oregon]

Awesome memories Bob! I was lucky that my folks indulged my fondness for the many toy guns on the market in those days. I particularly liked the Mattel products that accepted the "Shoot'n Shells" with Greenie Stickem Caps.
Here I am at Christmas probably about 1962, which would make me 9 years old, with my new Mattel Snubnose 38 in the plastic shoulder holster, which fired said Shoot'n Shells. I believe I was "greatly pleased" as Ned Roberts was fond of saying.

[Paladin]

Yes, I also was lucky enough to have received the Mattel set with the single-action revolver and lever gun that shot plastic (spring-loaded) bullets. Until I got old enough to buy a Winchester model 150 .22.