Another old timer followed me home

[stubbicatt]

Went to the Tanner gunshow in Denver today. It was the usual stuff, some overpriced. Saw some folks from years ago and got reacquainted. Was nice.

As I strolled by the racks I didn't see anything interesting, until...

-You remember that scene in Full Metal Jacket when Gunnery Sergeant Hartman is strolling through the squad bay and is doing an inspection, all the recruits standing on their footlockers? He gazes upon Pyle's footlocker, stops, and leans back and notices the unlocked footlocker?

Well that was me as I spotted a Winder musket in the endless racks of weapons of iron and wood! I caught a glimpse, leaned back, and looked into the jungle of old rifles, and there it was! 22 long rifle this one! There was some sort of ethereal white glow that formed a sheath of light around it. Maybe I am crazy, but I heard a heavenly choir singing harmony as I reached in and pulled it out to inspect it. LOL!

So she followed me home! No bomb and "U.S." on the tang of this one, but it was a decent price and the bore is pristine. Best of all it is 22 long rifle marked, and has the faster twist in comparison to my Winder in 22 short. (Always a bit leery of a short with the slow twist which someone foolishly rechambered in long rifle - won't stabilize the 40 grain bullet!)

Already drilled and tapped for scope bases. I can see another order for Fecker bases in my near future.

Neat rifle!

 

[Kaeto]

Nice Rifle!

 

[Molasses]

Went to the Tanner gunshow in Denver today. It was the usual stuff, some overpriced. Saw some folks from years ago and got reacquainted. Was nice.

As I strolled by the racks I didn't see anything interesting, until...

-You remember that scene in Full Metal Jacket when Gunnery Sergeant Hartman is strolling through the squad bay and is doing an inspection, all the recruits standing on their footlockers? He gazes upon Pyle's footlocker, stops, and leans back and notices the unlocked footlocker?

Well that was me as I spotted a Winder musket in the endless racks of weapons of iron and wood! I caught a glimpse, leaned back, and looked into the jungle of old rifles, and there it was! 22 long rifle this one! There was some sort of ethereal white glow that formed a sheath of light around it. Maybe I am crazy, but I heard a heavenly choir singing harmony as I reached in and pulled it out to inspect it. LOL!

So she followed me home! No bomb and "U.S." on the tang of this one, but it was a decent price and the bore is pristine. Best of all it is 22 long rifle marked, and has the faster twist in comparison to my Winder in 22 short. (Always a bit leery of a short with the slow twist which someone foolishly rechambered in long rifle - won't stabilize the 40 grain bullet!)

Already drilled and tapped for scope bases. I can see another order for Fecker bases in my near future.

Neat rifle!

Very nice find!

The part I marked in red is where you described mine. Still wears the original .22 Short stamping and then someone (probably the same person that ran the reamer in there) hand stamped L.R. not far from it. Probably the same yahoo that drilled and tapped the side of the barrel not far from the caliber stampings for some kind of sidemount scope base.

I didn't know any better and bought it anyways. Taking it to the range and getting everything up to full-profile bullet holes with match ammo was an eye opening educational experience! I tried all the different test ammo I'd brought, got desperately stupid and shot some Stingers that were in the bottom of the range bag out of it and got some very fine groups. About then was when that really dim bulb just barely started to glow...

Oh well. It doesn't do badly with shorts out of that LR chamber and of course, Longs shoot pretty good. Was just thinking about it last night and wondering again if getting the barrel lined would hurt the value all that much (I always decide that it's not worth doing).

 

[Catpop]

Way to go! Let us know how it shoots!

 

[Poper]

Wow! That's a dandy! Very nice find!

And some people believe gun shows are a waste of time....

 

[johnnydollar]

Very nice find. Congrats!

 

[stubbicatt]

Will let you all know how she shoots. I intend to use it for the rimfire silhouette match at the club. Since it is to be held this Saturday, I can foresee some serious range time here in the very near future!

 

[stubbicatt]

Longs should do pretty well. Same bullet as the shorts. I have another Winder in 22 short, with flaming bomb and "U.S." stamp on the upper tang behind the hammer.

My Winder in 22 short opens up to a comparatively huge group at 100 yards. I will try it again of course just to see, but at 25 yards all were in a very small grouping with 22 short.

I don't remember where I heard it, but shooting the short is like shooting a ping pong ball in the wind!