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In 1949 at the age of 16 my father received a new Winchester Model 94 in .30 WCF (now know as .30-.30). They were cattle ranchers in Wyoming & not a day went by that their trusty model 94's were'nt in their saddle scabbards. They used their rifles to eliminate pests (beaver were the worst), scare off an aggressive bull moose, or dispatch a steer that was injured or sick. Yup, tools of the cowboy.
As far back as I remember, my father's 94 was a very cherished possession of his. I too carried the rifle as I got older. I hunted deer & carried it on my horse until it was replaced by a Model 70 30.06 I bought in 1972.
Ten or so years ago, I got the hankering to own a .30-.30 again. I walked into our local pawn/gun store & there sat a new Model 94AE Legacy in the racks. I knew the store owner well, as I was on the local police force at the time. He explained that the gun was ordered by a customer but he never picked it up. They had a reasonable price on it so I took it home. I never used my new 94 for hunting but shot it a few times for sentimental reasons. I now had a .30-.30 like my fathers.
A few weeks back, I visit my 81 year old father as he recovered from a minor surgery. He seemed in good sprits but I knew something was on his mind. He got up & left the room as I visited with my mother & I figured he'd gone to the bathroom. When he came back into the living room he handed me his 1949 Model 94...& said "this is your now- the time has come" " I wanted to give it to you while I was alive". Tears filled my eyes. I was overwhelmed! One of my six sisters (I'm the only boy) who is an avid hunter expressed her desire more than once for this gun. I almost asked my father to give it to this sister & I'd take his Savage Model 99 instead but I REALLY wanted his .30-.30.
It was a special moment in my life I will never forget. I brought the gun home & gave it a good cleaning. Guns are objects that bring back good memories & transport up back into time.
Thanks for listening!
Pix to follow.
As far back as I remember, my father's 94 was a very cherished possession of his. I too carried the rifle as I got older. I hunted deer & carried it on my horse until it was replaced by a Model 70 30.06 I bought in 1972.
Ten or so years ago, I got the hankering to own a .30-.30 again. I walked into our local pawn/gun store & there sat a new Model 94AE Legacy in the racks. I knew the store owner well, as I was on the local police force at the time. He explained that the gun was ordered by a customer but he never picked it up. They had a reasonable price on it so I took it home. I never used my new 94 for hunting but shot it a few times for sentimental reasons. I now had a .30-.30 like my fathers.
A few weeks back, I visit my 81 year old father as he recovered from a minor surgery. He seemed in good sprits but I knew something was on his mind. He got up & left the room as I visited with my mother & I figured he'd gone to the bathroom. When he came back into the living room he handed me his 1949 Model 94...& said "this is your now- the time has come" " I wanted to give it to you while I was alive". Tears filled my eyes. I was overwhelmed! One of my six sisters (I'm the only boy) who is an avid hunter expressed her desire more than once for this gun. I almost asked my father to give it to this sister & I'd take his Savage Model 99 instead but I REALLY wanted his .30-.30.
It was a special moment in my life I will never forget. I brought the gun home & gave it a good cleaning. Guns are objects that bring back good memories & transport up back into time.
Thanks for listening!
Pix to follow.
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