An original Springfield Model 1884 45-70, usually referred to as a "Trap Door." I actually hunted with it when I was a teen ager.
I have been so tired carrying that through snow all day, and hours after dark, that I really didn't think I could make it home.
In the 1930s my older brothers, travelling with horses and sleigh, had stopped at a homesteaders place for noon time dinner, because it was noon and that's what people did in the 1930s. They did not know the bachelor living at the cabin they stopped at. This rifle was hanging in the wall and my oldest brother was admiring it. The fellow said, "If you want it, you can have it!"
No 45-70 ammunition was made then, and when I wanted to hunt with it, there were no shells. A neighbor said he had some and if I would come to his place he would give them to me. I lost no time in hiking the several miles to his place and he gave me nearly two boxes. Shown in the picture is what remains of the Winchester, 405 grain jacketed he gave me.
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Now, that is a find!
How many times have you said, "No", to selling that, Bruce?
Ted


















































