Who hasn't dreamed about finding an old, classic rifle leaning against a tree.
Perhaps with a note attached to it telling the story. Well . . .
You have to wonder about the story behind the Model 1873 recently found leaning against a tree in Great Basin National Park. The Model 1873 is the iconic rifle in the great American westward expansion, and is referred to as "The Gun That Won the West."
So many people are trying to find the back story of this rifle. Was it just forgotten? Did something happen to it's owner. Did a hunter leave it intending to come back and find it, but never could.
Browning staff writer Scott Engen gathered a few details provided by Nichole Andler, Chief of Interpretation at Great Basin National Park.
National Park Service finds an original Winchester Model 1873 in the wilds of Great Basin National Park
Many of us harbor pipe dreams of running across an original Winchester Model 1873 rifle in the rafters of a dusty attic or tucked in the dark corner of old barn.
Recently employees of the National Park Service found an original Winchester Model 1873 rifle leaning against a gnarled juniper tree in a remote part of the sprawling Great Basin National Park in Nevada.
According to Nichole Andler, Chief of Interpretation at Great Basin National Park, “The rifle, exposed for all those years to sun, wind, snow and rain, was found leaning against a tree in the park. The cracked wood stock, weathered to grey, and the brown rusted barrel blended into the colors of the old juniper tree in a remote rocky outcrop, keeping the rifle hidden for many years.”
“Engraved on the rifle is “Model 1873,” identifying it distinctly as a Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle,” continued Andler. “The serial number on the lower tang corresponds in Winchester records held at the Center for the West at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming, with a manufacture and shipping date of 1882. But the detailed history of this rifle is as yet unknown.”
While the specific history of the aged Winchester rifle is as yet unknown, the opportunities for speculation are rich. Perhaps it belonged to a lone cowboy riding the high range. Perhaps it was set aside by a sourdough prospector in his search for a vein of rich ore. Whatever the actual story, it has the makings of a great campfire tale.
After museum conservation to prevent further deterioration, the rifle will be returned to the park and displayed as part of the park’s 30th birthday and the NPS centennial celebration.
It’s doubtful this unique Winchester Model 1873 will ever come up for sale. If you’d like a learn more about a real Winchester Model 1873, with the function, fit and finish equal to or even better that the original made more than a century ago you are at the right place.
You can learn more about the Model 1873 found in the Great Basin National Park at https://www.facebook.com/GreatBasinNPS
MORE:
132 Year-old Model 1873 found against a tree at Great Basin National Park - Winchester Repeating Arms Article
Perhaps with a note attached to it telling the story. Well . . .
You have to wonder about the story behind the Model 1873 recently found leaning against a tree in Great Basin National Park. The Model 1873 is the iconic rifle in the great American westward expansion, and is referred to as "The Gun That Won the West."
So many people are trying to find the back story of this rifle. Was it just forgotten? Did something happen to it's owner. Did a hunter leave it intending to come back and find it, but never could.
Browning staff writer Scott Engen gathered a few details provided by Nichole Andler, Chief of Interpretation at Great Basin National Park.
National Park Service finds an original Winchester Model 1873 in the wilds of Great Basin National Park
Many of us harbor pipe dreams of running across an original Winchester Model 1873 rifle in the rafters of a dusty attic or tucked in the dark corner of old barn.
Recently employees of the National Park Service found an original Winchester Model 1873 rifle leaning against a gnarled juniper tree in a remote part of the sprawling Great Basin National Park in Nevada.
According to Nichole Andler, Chief of Interpretation at Great Basin National Park, “The rifle, exposed for all those years to sun, wind, snow and rain, was found leaning against a tree in the park. The cracked wood stock, weathered to grey, and the brown rusted barrel blended into the colors of the old juniper tree in a remote rocky outcrop, keeping the rifle hidden for many years.”
“Engraved on the rifle is “Model 1873,” identifying it distinctly as a Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle,” continued Andler. “The serial number on the lower tang corresponds in Winchester records held at the Center for the West at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming, with a manufacture and shipping date of 1882. But the detailed history of this rifle is as yet unknown.”
While the specific history of the aged Winchester rifle is as yet unknown, the opportunities for speculation are rich. Perhaps it belonged to a lone cowboy riding the high range. Perhaps it was set aside by a sourdough prospector in his search for a vein of rich ore. Whatever the actual story, it has the makings of a great campfire tale.
After museum conservation to prevent further deterioration, the rifle will be returned to the park and displayed as part of the park’s 30th birthday and the NPS centennial celebration.
It’s doubtful this unique Winchester Model 1873 will ever come up for sale. If you’d like a learn more about a real Winchester Model 1873, with the function, fit and finish equal to or even better that the original made more than a century ago you are at the right place.
You can learn more about the Model 1873 found in the Great Basin National Park at https://www.facebook.com/GreatBasinNPS
MORE:
132 Year-old Model 1873 found against a tree at Great Basin National Park - Winchester Repeating Arms Article
