100+ year old rifles

[9x56MS]

How many here still use rifles that are over 100 years since manufactured date? I enjoy finding old neglected (not abused) rifles and bringing them back to life, then taking them out to do the job they were built for. Gives me a whole new different feeling of satisfaction. Sometimes it’s out of manufacture ammo, sometimes it’s replacing a broken or missing part. Then some just need a little TLC to make them shine. Then I sit and look at them in my hands and wonder about who owned them and what game they have taken. It’s a fine affliction to have!

 

[Speedo66]

All rifles used in WWI are now over 100. Lots of stories there.

Still using my 132 year old Winchester '73.

 

[e rex]

A year ago I killed my deer with a Marlin 93 in 38-55 that my Granddad gave me when I was a boy. It is believed to have been built in 1900 according to Marlin, however their records were destroyed in a fire some time ago. I have a letter from Bill Bropy (spelling?) with his best guess.
I've also taken a few deer with a model 94 6.5x55 Swedish carbine made in 1917.

 

[entropy]

I have a 1916 Mosin I shoot occasionally. I had an 1899 Mosin, but traded it to my best friend. He had a thing for it.


Kinda didn't want it back after that........

 

[Steve Milbocker]

My 1893 also built in 1900.

 

[Dr T]

The Mosin 39 with the octagonal action built in 1894 has been shot most recently. The Finnish rework is likely a lot more accurate than the original.

 

[entropy]

Not just likely, almost assuredly.

 

[DocRock]

I shoot a 115 year old Marlin 1892 in competition, regularly use a 116 year old Swedish Mauser, and I am working on getting a 140 year old German stalking rifle based on the 1871 Mauser to competition worthy. Finally, I have a hunting rifle built on a 111 year old Gewehr 98 receiver currently at NECG getting rings made for the claw mounts.


Marlin

Mauser Sporter

1871 Mauserbuchsen

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Come to think of it I guess my old Krag makes that criteria as well

 

[DocRock]

Come to think of it I guess my old Krag makes that criteria as well

Oh heck, for got about my Krags! 120 year old 1898 rifle (not much of a shooter), a 122 year old maybe 1896 rifle (sights are questionable but given how they messed about with sights, who knows?), and a sporter based on a 123 year old Krag receiver. That one also gets used in competition.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I bought this Marlin Model 1894 back in the 1970s sometime. It left the factory in 1895. Chambered for a round I had never heard of at the time, 44-40. Took it to my first Cowboy Action match about 20 years ago. It does not get out much these days, but it shows up maybe once a year.






This Winchester Model 1892 left the factory in 1897. Also chambered for 44-40, but by the time I bought it I was pretty familiar with the cartridge. This rifle had been refinished at some point, so I was able to get it for a very good price. Sorry, I don't remember how much, it was quite a while ago. This was my Main Match CAS rifle for a number of years, it came to every match with me.






This 38-40 Winchester model 1873 left the factory in 1887. It does not get to very many matches, but it does get out every once in a while. I only shoot it with cartridges loaded with Black Powder. If you look carefully you will see the magazine tube has been replaced at some point, it is much 'bluer' than the rest of the rifle. But everything else is still stock.






It has a lovely front sight with a nickel silver front sight blade.






Typical of this era, the caliber is called out on the bottom of the cartridge elevator.






Here is a photo of it with an original Smith and Wesson 2nd Model Russian that left the factory in 1875. I don't much like shooting the Russian model, the odd shaped grip is very uncomfortable to hold.






This 32-20 Winchester Model 1892 left the factory in 1911, so it qualifies as being over 100 years old. I have only had it to the range once, must correct that this year. It is a real pleasure to shoot with the little 32-20 cartridge.






Here is another photo of the 32-20 Winchester with a pair of 32-20 revolvers. The Smith and Wesson 32-20 Handejector on the left shipped in 1916. The Colt Police Positive Special on the right shipped in 1926, not quite 100 years old.








I came across this lovely old 30WCF Winchester Model 1894 a couple of years ago. It left the factory in 1895, a very early one. The 26" octagonal barrel is a little bit unusual as is the tang sight.






The front sight has a nice ivoroid bead.






The semi-buckhorn rear sight has a tiny notch in the center.






I'm pretty sure the tang sight is an old Lyman sight, but I would have to pull the rifle out of the safe to make sure.






I'm not a hunter, so I had no earthly need for a classic deer rifle like this. But it was so pretty and the price was so reasonable that I could not pass it up. I will have to do a little bit of adjustment to bring the point of impact down a little bit. Not too bad for 70 year old eyes before my cataract surgery.






That's pretty much it for me for 100+ year old rifles.

I do have a couple of Lee/Enfields, one is a WWII Lend Lease made here in the US by Savage, but it is not 100 years old yet.

However this Lithgow Lee/Enfield from 1919 is +100 years old.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

For Living History I do a Spanish-American War impression, I carry an M1888 45-70 made in 1892, I have an M1884 made in 1890.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I have a 1916 Mosin I shoot occasionally. I had an 1899 Mosin, but traded it to my best friend. He had a thing for it.

View attachment 974781
Kinda didn't want it back after that........

Not just pre-War, which is saying a lot, but, pre Revolution as well.

Though, I hate to note that latter event toodeferentially.

Still, doggone cool.

Who had it? Red forces, White Russians... did someone from The Polar Bear Expedition or AEF Vladivostok bring it back? Was it used relative to either of those Operations? SO much cool stuff to ponder on that one.

Todd.

 

[Thomasss]

Lee/ Enfield Pattern 17, 1918, 30.06

 

[FL-NC]

I picked up an old Krag calvary carbine (1897 I believe) 10 or so years ago. I got a good deal on it, and I wanted it to help complete my US mil collection. I had never fired it, or any other Krag. A friend who is educated in such matters looked at it and told me that is was in excellent condition for a US mil weapon that was so old, and had the right amount of "character" that he would at least take it to the range and see what it did. So after getting lucky and finding a few boxes of 180 grain Remington core-lock that is what I did (after some time on the google machine researching what sight mine has and how to adjust them, and a thorough cleaning of the bore- which wasn't that bad at all). It shot a good group at 50 yards supported, though it was 2" high with the elevation ran all the way down. At 100 yards I was able to hit minute of 6" steel plate. Since the small plots where I hunt deer (set up to be optimum for archery hunting) present nothing but opportunities at such short ranges, I put "shoot a deer with the Krag carbine" on this season's "bucket list". First day out with it, I shot a nice doe. Then I cleaned it and put it back in the safe.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Eight of my rifles would qualify by date:

 

[.455_Hunter]

Oldest relatively frequent shooter is my .50-70 Trapdoor- just over 150 years young...

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I have a few pre-1919 Lee Enfields that I have hunted with quite a bit as they were my first interest in old military rifles. And, shot my first deer with one. In fact, from the time I first saw one in a movie as a little kid, I had to have one. I believe, without looking, that I have a 1914, '15, '16, '17 and 1918. That was five years in a row, that the New Year was brought in by a .303! Ooops I lie, 2017 was brought in by my Webley.

My Savage 99 is a 1914, as is my old hammer double called "old bloody nose". It was my Great Grandfather's, my Grandfather's, skipped my dad and now is mine. Shot tons of grouse, quail and ducks with it. And one turkey.

There's a family Long Rifle that's been in the family since 1845 or 1846, that I still shoot, and take for walks in the woods once in a great while. .38 caliber, so she's not legal to hunt deer with in this state, (Wa.) and I don't really feel "comfortable" shooting over 25 grains in it. It's not in perfect condition, and that's what it's original antler-tip powder measure holds. I would prefer at least 40 grains to shoot a deer, but, not gonna do it. However, the rifling is fine, she's accurate, and would be a great squirrel or rabbit gun, but I hunt neither of those.

Also a fan of the Model 1873 Springfield rifle, so I hunt with those too. My rifle was made in 1884, and my carbine in 1876.

Mostly I hunt with a Brown Bess musket, or my Jaeger rifle, these days, which are not antiques, but I think that when I'm not using a ML that's it's most likely going to be something over 100 years old. I guess my Trapdoors are my "go to" rifles/carbine, if I'm in a cartridge rifle mood. Having said that, I sure love my Winchesters, but my oldest one is only a 1949. Just a baby. For exploring/trekking/hiking/map & compass work, I like a Winchester, wish I had one that was 100 years old! Something about being deep in the wilderness, far off any trail, with a Winchester. Just feels "right". !!!

 

[entropy]

Not just pre-War, which is saying a lot, but, pre Revolution as well.

Though, I hate to note that latter event to deferentially.

Still, doggone cool.

Who had it? Red forces, White Russians... did someone from The Polar Bear Expedition or AEF Vladivostok bring it back? Was it used relative to either of those Operations? SO much cool stuff to ponder on that one.

Todd.

It has an SA stamp, so the Finns had it at some point.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Wow Dave nice looking M95 Hungarian Styer. ! Or whatever one want's to call them. I have cougar hunted with mine, never shot one, but it's a nice little rifle to pack around. I have no idea as to when mine was made.

 

[DocRock]

I have cougar hunted with mine, never shot one, .

That's good! But next time just try buying drinks, flashing a Rolex, and talking about your passion for the triathlon....

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Wow Dave nice looking M95 Hungarian Styer. ! Or whatever one want's to call them. I have cougar hunted with mine, never shot one, but it's a nice little rifle to pack around. I have no idea as to when mine was made.

Mine's a WWI vet, still in 8x50R Austrian. It's been refinished.

The guy I bought if from thought it was pre-1900 production. Shoots pretty good with light handloads.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

That's good! But next time just try buying drinks, flashing a Rolex, and talking about your passion for the triathlon....

I may get in trouble for this..........

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

It has an SA stamp, so the Finns had it at some point.

Even more fascinating intrigue.

Yup, me and a pal could slow-burn through some scotch hypotheticalizing over that one.

Todd.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Mine's a WWI vet, still in 8x50R Austrian. It's been refinished.

The guy I bought if from thought it was pre-1900 production. Shoots pretty good with light handloads.

View attachment 974842

Man that's nice. I've been planning to shoot some cast bullets in mine...but something I never "get around to". ! I love en-bloc clip loading. Interesting looking cartridges. Do you use 7.62X54R brass? I have the "kit" or dies to do that, but have never used it. I put in a pretty good supply of ball ammo back when it was cheap and available.