OT: GradDaddy's Gun

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IronNoggin
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OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by IronNoggin »

In the spring of 1957, my GrandDaddy traded in his old Winchester 1892 (caliber unknown) for his first, and destined to be his only "high powered rifle".
My Ma and her brother recall that the 308 was quite the sensation at the time, and considered a "serious" big game rifle.

Grandpa hunted with rifle that over the next several decades, taking a heck of a lot of Mulies, Elk and Antelope with it.
Upon his deathbed, he requested to his oldest son and my Ma that this rifle should go to me, his oldest grandson.
I was damn proud to take possession of it (now a decade or two past) and cherish it immensely.

To date, I have shot it at the range a fair number of times, and considering it's age, and the archaic scope that is on it, I was really astonished just how well it grouped! I have taken it on a few hunts, babying it along the way, but have yet to take an animal with it yet...

The rifle is in pristine shape. GrandDaddy was always very fussy about that end of things!
Here she is as she looks today:

Image

I thought the scope was an ancient Weaver, but now am not so certain.
It has NO markings on it anywhere.
Fixed four power with very thin wire reticles, and a rather small objective lens.
And external (no caps or protection) sighting adjustments:

Image

If anyone does know what the branding on that might be, I'd be interested in hearing from you...

As far as the checkering goes, I am not the best to ask in this regard. A Buddy did ask if it was pressed or cut.
My answer is Hell, I dunno...

Image

From the minor over-runs and errors here and there, I would guess it was done by hand.
But then again, I know little of such matters...

Since I was digging in the Big Box anyway, and recalled a thread about Winchesters, I thought I'd take one final picture today:

Image

From the top:

GradDaddy's Winchester Model 88 in 308, manufactured spring, 1957

A Working Cowboy Buddy's (now mine) old Model 94 in 32 Win Special manufactured in 1954

My Model 9422M in 22 Magnum manufactured in 1972

The Ruger Blackhawk, although not a Winchester, rather fit with this lot.
She is chambered in 45 Long Colt. Can't rightly recall when it was made, but it too has seen some use over the years...

The first looks damn near new.
The second shows some signs of loving use, and the third shows it has been a saddle, skidoo and truck gun for most of it's life (still shoots VERY well for a lever though!)

Don't have many pictures of my Grandparents on hand, but did manage to find two that fit with this post...

GrandDaddy processing a big Mulie he had taken with this very rifle:

Image

And Grandma riding out to elk and deer camp around the same time period:

Image

Be interesting to know what kind of rifle she was packing, but I never did get that confirmed.

Not to tough to tell where I get my love of, and dedication to The Game from

I have now made a commitment to myself to get GrandDaddy's gun out and try to take a Blacktail with it this fall.
Will of course letcha know how that goes...

In the meantime, if you happen to have your GrandDaddy's gun, or even just your Pa's, or an Uncle's etc that fits with the theme, post them up Folks!!

And with that, I will leave you with:

https://youtu.be/H74RqPzKrY0

Still puts mist in my eyes every time I hear this one.
Love & Miss ya GrandDaddy.
Save me a warm spot around the fire Sir, for I'll be coming along eventually...

Cheers,
Nog
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IronNoggin
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by IronNoggin »

PS: This one has been spoken for.
In keeping with GrandDaddy's wishes, his oldest Grandson will be receiving it when I wander off to join the campfire with the original owner.
Arrangements that were made the day I received it...

https://youtu.be/cGjy3zXQJQc

Cheers
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by janesy »

Absolutely Awesome!
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W.Miguire
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by W.Miguire »

Great story ,hope they stay in your family for many more generations .
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by xcaliber »

He knew you would use it, and pass it along when the day comes, Cheers to you & GrandDad!
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by mr meat »

Very nice
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by bdog »

Hey Nog , that's cut checkering on that walnut stock, 1964 is when they started cheapin out an all of their models, and went with impressed ckeckering, the scope, I cant tell from the pics what it is, any sign of origin might be under the rings?
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XB I GO
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by XB I GO »

My Dad is a retired PH so I asked him about your scope. I said you wrote it is fixed power and fine crosshairs and the adjustments are exposed. I also said it was on an older Winchester 88. He said "Weaver J Series" or "J.C. Higgins". When he gets home I will show him the picture and see what he says then. Cool rifle!
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artifact
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by artifact »

Enjoyed reading that, nice gun to have passed on to you and for you to pass on. Love those pictures of grandpa and grandma!
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XB I GO
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by XB I GO »

I texted Dad the picture and now he said "Weaver K Series from 40s or 50s".
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Doe Master
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by Doe Master »

Weaver scope
https://www.vintagegunscopes.com/weaver/weaver-j4-crosshair-good-c1947-67
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by paulaboutform »

Awesome Nog, just awesome!!! :D :thumbup:

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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by papa bear1 »

Hey Grandpa Nog I am 76, does that qualify me as your oldest grandson ?????? :lol: :lol:
All jokeing aside,,," GREAT" story, thanks for shareing. :eusa-clap:

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flightattendant100
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by flightattendant100 »

XB I GO wrote:
Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:07 pm
I texted Dad the picture and now he said "Weaver K Series from 40s or 50s".
Spot on. Scope is a Weaver marked or not. In 1947 Weaver came out w the K2.5 and K4 in 1” tubes. That will be a 1” tube so you are post 1947. In 1956 Weaver came out with a permanently centered reticle. That scope WILL Not have s permanently centered reticle so between 1947 and 1956 on dcope.The Weavers were built in El Paso Tx. and we’re bill it proof tough...... not very bright.... but bullit proof! I have had several old enough that they were not centered reticle but never had one with those older style turrets. Beauty of a rifle!
I’ll see after work if I can get a pic or two posted of my dads and grandads.
flightattendant100
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Re: OT: GradDaddy's Gun

Post by flightattendant100 »

Those old Weavers May loose a seal and grow stuff inside, but are so tuff that if you can see through it they still work! Being a steel tube the finish also can go and look awful but doesn’t affect scope function at all. They are NOT very bright. You can see through a Leupold or Redfield long after that one will be dark. But none tougher!
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