Cheapshooter
New member
I'm kind of developing an interest in these old guns. Not beautiful, usually not finely finished. Certainly not an object of envy.
But they are the Model T of repeating shotguns. A couple years back I found a Stevens 410 model 59A. An example of my very first "my very own" shotgun. Just a couple weeks ago I bought a Marlin Model 55 chambered in 12 gauge marked 2 3/4". It has a full choke, 36" barrel, and I guess even though it doesn't say " The Original Goose Gun" it is probably a more realistic version of the goose gun than the newer ones with the name on them.
I'm sure as more old bolt guns pop up at my evil gun shop locations I will end up with more. Maybe a 20 gauge, and 16 as well so I have at least one of each of the most common bores.
My interest, besides the obvious connection to my user name, is just thinking how many meals these old work horses put on the table of farmers, and outdoorsmen that couldn't justify the cost of a more "refined" sporting arm. Or how many young boys like myself learned how to put a dinner of fried squirrel, or rabbit on our family's table.
I have a few other old "meal tickets" also. A Winchester 97 12 Ga. similar to the one my Dad had, and the first shotgun I shot. An equally well worn, but completely functional 20 Ga. Model 12, A 12Ga. Remington Model 11, and a couple more "modern" examples like a Stevens 311 16 Ga. (My second "all my own" shotgun), and a Winchester Model 50.
What a feast all these tools would have collectively put on a table through their long, and useful life as hunting firearms.
But they are the Model T of repeating shotguns. A couple years back I found a Stevens 410 model 59A. An example of my very first "my very own" shotgun. Just a couple weeks ago I bought a Marlin Model 55 chambered in 12 gauge marked 2 3/4". It has a full choke, 36" barrel, and I guess even though it doesn't say " The Original Goose Gun" it is probably a more realistic version of the goose gun than the newer ones with the name on them.
I'm sure as more old bolt guns pop up at my evil gun shop locations I will end up with more. Maybe a 20 gauge, and 16 as well so I have at least one of each of the most common bores.
My interest, besides the obvious connection to my user name, is just thinking how many meals these old work horses put on the table of farmers, and outdoorsmen that couldn't justify the cost of a more "refined" sporting arm. Or how many young boys like myself learned how to put a dinner of fried squirrel, or rabbit on our family's table.
I have a few other old "meal tickets" also. A Winchester 97 12 Ga. similar to the one my Dad had, and the first shotgun I shot. An equally well worn, but completely functional 20 Ga. Model 12, A 12Ga. Remington Model 11, and a couple more "modern" examples like a Stevens 311 16 Ga. (My second "all my own" shotgun), and a Winchester Model 50.
What a feast all these tools would have collectively put on a table through their long, and useful life as hunting firearms.