My Favorite Long Range Rifle

[Mad John]

@Mad John that rifle is something quite impressive.

One aspect of he rifle I'm curious about is the scope. I have heard of that particular scope before, and knew they had scopes back then, but would like to know more about it.

Not really alot to know. Even during the Civil War and a bit before there were tubular sights without magnification. Just Cross hairs. Some had class some did not.
Then came telescope sights. In the beginning of very low magnification. Advances were made. The Scope on my rifle IS NOT an antique but IS a new manufactured William Malcomb tubular telescopic full length 6x sight. Argon filled with polished coated optics. One of the BIG problems in the old days was fogged optics from condensation and humidity. Most of those original sights are just collectors items, very fragile and actually useless. If this were a vintage original the scope would be destroyed by recoil. I have one old tube scope that on somedays you can see through it, the next day ...nope.
Other than that it is a true representation of the original. In some peoples eyes that totally ruins the value of the gun... I don't think so. IF I were to sell it the scope would NOT be included. The rifle itself IS THE issue.

 

[Mad John]

I appreciate the information.
I admit, I was hoping to find it more "involved " with a historical figure.

Thanks again.

During those days of Broken Banks, many banks had their own notes printed. Backed only by the hard currency in their vault. (silver and or Gold) There were salesmen that travelled from bank to bank with samples of engravings so any bank could design their own notes. Some are pretty interesting some are incredibly rare and expensive. There is a large five volume set of books covering the known banks and their notes before the establishment of National Banking in 1862.
The Government of Texas notes preceded the Republic of Texas Banknotes but only for a short time. The Sam Houston signed notes demand an incredible premium on todays market.

 

[Mad John]

I am not as young as some or as old as others, but I find rifles like that to be absolutely intoxicating, and an item of rare beauty. I have never had a chance to shoot anything like that, but maybe someday I will. For now, I will have to settle on the lever guns I have.

Do NOT cut yourself short! I am never satisfied to just settle for anything. TOO damned old to stop now!

 

[jrbfishn]

I do understand the sentiment. I am getting to old to move. A buy back would be OUT OF THE QUESTION. Taking them from me would also be the same. I am willing to DIE for my Rights and there WILL be a large number of Communists that will go with me. I WILL make a statement, THEY are not willing to see or accept.
Come and Take Them.... if you dare....
Moving to Texas at this time would be all but catastrophic in expense and logistics. NOT a small thing to consider. Would NOT be possible to rent a U-Haul and pack up and go. Maybe three or four semi-tractors and trailers. I am tied to cell hone towers with my heart conditions and have more doctors than a walk-in clinic. I was not nice to myself over the years. BUT I do have most of my "bucket-list" checked off!
Been around the world twice, served in combat, shot twice and stabbed once. shot down in a helicopter, first wife tried to kill me, was involved in a home invasion shooting. suffered a stroke. have tremors and a massive heart attack, Insulin Dependent Diabetic...... just cannot wait to see what is next...... so i just laugh at most things. I AM the FOOTBALL BAT!!!

Oh yeah. You and I would get along great. We could compare scars and stories. For a looong while.

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[benenglish]

...I was hoping to find it more "involved " with a historical figure.

During those days of Broken Banks...

After those days, the figures on currency and coins issued by the U.S. were often oversized and incredibly beautiful specifically because the government, as a matter of policy, wanted to expose the public to fine art. They realized they couldn't commission public artworks in every podunk town but money goes everywhere. That's part of the reason that so much work went into the artwork on so much U.S. money.

 

[Mad John]

Oh yeah. You and I would get along great. We could compare scars and stories. For a looong while.

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I can be incredibly longwinded. Coffee is a basic food group. I do not use ANY social media due to security issues. The pictures that I post are done with extreme choice of forethought. Only about the certain item itself and rarely what it's monetary value is or may be. That value is a whole different game. I have to play that game every day. NEVER let your passions possess you. It is akin to being an addict!.....lmao!
COFFEE! Now there is a subject determined by taste, I have actually worn out a Keurig or two. My weapon of choice is Wake The Hell Up! and Death Wish coffee!
You?

 

[Mad John]

After those days, the figures on currency and coins issued by the U.S. were often oversized and incredibly beautiful specifically because the government, as a matter of policy, wanted to expose the public to fine art. They realized they couldn't commission public artworks in every podunk town but money goes everywhere. That's part of the reason that so much work went into the artwork on so much U.S. money.

Ben, You sound like a Currency Collector? I was infected with that illness along with guns and Coins .
My Confederate Note collection has won awards at several large Coin Shows. I have a serious love affair with "Large Size" and National Currency notes. The "Educational Series" of 1896 are breathtaking and really tough in nice Condition. That aspect of collecting is a whole different world. Historic pieces like the Sam Houston note are exceptions to the rule!
Coins are like guns. You cannot collect everything. I have had to concentrate my coin enthusiasm into a Narrow band. Early American Copper, specifically US Large Cents. US Silver Dollars, and Medieval European Silver prior to 1750. Specifically German States Thalers and minors. I am always on the hunt for Transylvanian Silver.
Am I weird or what?
In many circumstances the PUBLIC became outraged about nudity on Currency and coins and forced some issues out of use. There are some really beautiful Bank Notes until Woodrow Wilson!
Broken Bank Notes also known as Obsoletes are incredible works of the engravers art. AND in some strange denominations. I like 3 dollar bills. I have an Illinois banknote of $2.50 with a cross-eyed Buffalo on it.

 

[Axxe55]

Not really alot to know. Even during the Civil War and a bit before there were tubular sights without magnification. Just Cross hairs. Some had class some did not.
Then came telescope sights. In the beginning of very low magnification. Advances were made. The Scope on my rifle IS NOT an antique but IS a new manufactured William Malcomb tubular telescopic full length 6x sight. Argon filled with polished coated optics. One of the BIG problems in the old days was fogged optics from condensation and humidity. Most of those original sights are just collectors items, very fragile and actually useless. If this were a vintage original the scope would be destroyed by recoil. I have one old tube scope that on somedays you can see through it, the next day ...nope.
Other than that it is a true representation of the original. In some peoples eyes that totally ruins the value of the gun... I don't think so. IF I were to sell it the scope would NOT be included. The rifle itself IS THE issue.

I think the vintage style scope adds a bit of interesting persona to the rifle. Both the rifle and the scope are impressive by themselves, but together, they create a very unique look that I find very interesting.

I can be incredibly longwinded. Coffee is a basic food group. I do not use ANY social media due to security issues. The pictures that I post are done with extreme choice of forethought. Only about the certain item itself and rarely what it's monetary value is or may be. That value is a whole different game. I have to play that game every day. NEVER let your passions possess you. It is akin to being an addict!.....lmao!
COFFEE! Now there is a subject determined by taste, I have actually worn out a Keurig or two. My weapon of choice is Wake The Hell Up! and Death Wish coffee!
You?

Ahh...a fellow coffee lover! The more of your posts I read, the more I think we may even be kindred spirits! May I interest you in a thread I started some time back?

Coffee, The Nectar Of Life!

I like coffee. Nothing too fancy, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Starbucks! I like to keep it simple too. I generally buy my coffee at the dollar store! I also like the coffee and chicory blends, because of the stronger flavor. Plus it goes much further. Even my coffee preparations are...

www.texasguntalk.com

 

[jrbfishn]

I can be incredibly longwinded. Coffee is a basic food group. I do not use ANY social media due to security issues. The pictures that I post are done with extreme choice of forethought. Only about the certain item itself and rarely what it's monetary value is or may be. That value is a whole different game. I have to play that game every day. NEVER let your passions possess you. It is akin to being an addict!.....lmao!
COFFEE! Now there is a subject determined by taste, I have actually worn out a Keurig or two. My weapon of choice is Wake The Hell Up! and Death Wish coffee!
You?

I have worn out a truck load of coffee makers of all types. At one time I was up to 12 pots a day. The only thing permitted to be added to coffee is, maybe, a little chicory. I typically have a cup sitting on the shooting bench with me.

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[benenglish]

Ben, You sound like a Currency Collector?

Nope. What I know of the subject I got via osmosis from my sister. To steal from one of my previous posts, my sister was one of the first 27 people in the world certified by the American Numismatic Association as a Master Coin Grader. She's personally handled almost the entire Professional Coin Grading Service reference library of gold coins.

But her specialty was error coins. According to her, the history of paper money is a lot more opaque. Bank notes in particular are an incredibly specialized area; collectors and historians in that area are far more rare than coin experts.

IOW, while she knows quite a bit and some has rubbed off on me, neither of us would claim anything more than a passing familiarity with the subject.

 

[Big Green]

I like my new plastic guns but the old ones are cool too, I just don’t know much about them. I read your posts and learn lots of new things every time. Too bad you’re not closer, I’d love some more history lessons.

 

[Mad John]

I think the vintage style scope adds a bit of interesting persona to the rifle. Both the rifle and the scope are impressive by themselves, but together, they create a very unique look that I find very interesting.



Ahh...a fellow coffee lover! The more of your posts I read, the more I think we may even be kindred spirits! May I interest you in a thread I started some time back?

Coffee, The Nectar Of Life!

I like coffee. Nothing too fancy, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Starbucks! I like to keep it simple too. I generally buy my coffee at the dollar store! I also like the coffee and chicory blends, because of the stronger flavor. Plus it goes much further. Even my coffee preparations are...

www.texasguntalk.com

Check my reply to your thread....

 

[Mad John]

Check my reply to your thread....

Look for and at some of the vintage pictures of the shooters at the long range matches. Those scopes were the ultimate technology of the day. Even the advances the old masters made in tang sights with Vernier Micrometer Adjustable rear sights are fascinating and extremely precise. I finally got the balls to put down the money and buy a Remington Hepburn Match grade Target Rifle. Hepburn' Rifles are exquisite and the Cadillac of their day. When this rife was made the issue price without sights was just over one thousand dollars . a tidy sum in 1887. To add a Godwin Style Rear Sight was an option of an additional four hundred dollars . Mine has a Godwin Sight. Pictures to come soon as I get the gun staged for photos.

 

[Mad John]

Nope. What I know of the subject I got via osmosis from my sister. To steal from one of my previous posts, my sister was one of the first 27 people in the world certified by the American Numismatic Association as a Master Coin Grader. She's personally handled almost the entire Professional Coin Grading Service reference library of gold coins.

But her specialty was error coins. According to her, the history of paper money is a lot more opaque. Bank notes in particular are an incredibly specialized area; collectors and historians in that area are far more rare than coin experts.

IOW, while she knows quite a bit and some has rubbed off on me, neither of us would claim anything more than a passing familiarity with the subject.

WOW! I am a member of the ANA also. I graduated from their Grading Course with High Honors and have taken EVERY ONE of their courses. I Was working on my NUMISMATIC Master's Certificate but I had to put that on the back burner when I had a Medical emergency that really messed things up.
I was writing my paper on Early Dated European Coinage Prior to the Date 1501. Mr. Kenneth Bressett of Racine, Wisconsin and editor of R.S. Yeomans Red Book of US Coins Annual Book. Was my sponsor to receive The ANA's Numismatic Master's Certificate. oops! I almost forgot I am also a member of SPMC and IBNC, and UACC. and a couple others.

 

[kbaxter60]

I am really not a fan of the "plastic fantastic" guns that are all the rage today.
I know that voicing that opinion will certainly put me outside the herd.
I was told at a local gun club meeting that those old guns are just that, relics of the past and have little value in today's firearms world! There were a few that vocally agreed. Some did not say anything. One young guy said, "your old guns are really nice and wonderful conversation pieces but time has passed them by and todays technology is proof that these are superior to those old relics." I said, "let's have a comparison, distance for distance, hard target for hard target?"
We then went outside where there was some of those orange road construction marker barrels. a lonely looking steel five gallon bucket. Those will work. Let's load up one of those barrels and take that bucket and fill it with sand then top the bucket of sand with water. Pretty darned heavy. Put the barrel and the bucket of soaked wet sand, put the stuff in the back of his pick-up truck and drove it down range to the 250 yard marker, Set up the barrel then placed the steel bucket of wet sand on top.
We went back to the firing line. I said, "there is your target, pick your mark? He produces a really neat looking CMMG AR in .308. Nice scope on it too. Told me there is a letter "o" in the middle of the side, I can hit that letter... OKAY? I said sure, take the shot. He got ready and fired. we went down to the bucket and sure as rain is wet he placed that bullet inside that letter "o" all I could say was that was a great shot!
We went back to the firing line. I said, "My turn." Got out my 140 year old Remington Rolling Block and chambered a 525 grain Lyman "Spitzer" paper patched .45-125 round. I got set and squeezed the trigger. Those old guns really BARK LOUD ! He watched as that bucket of wet sand virtually exploded and threw sand about ten feet in the air and the destroyed bucket downrange several yards!
I asked if he wanted to inspect the bullet hole? All he could say was "NOPE!"
I explained that the wet bucket of sand was equivalent to a 200 pond man at that distance and NOW HE is NOT HAPPY!
Those old timers back then, men like John M. Browning and Eli Remington were pretty serious about the guns they built. Time does NOT age the gun... only the shooter does! We went and had a beer and laughed about it......
I do love my old "relics" just never want to get shot by one. I want to STAY HAPPY.
I see that you have a picture of the Alamo.... did you see my Sam Houston item I put a picture of???

Great story. Reminds me of the movie "Quigley Down Under ".

 

[Mad John]

Great story. Reminds me of the movie "Quigley Down Under ".

The rifle Tom Selleck used in the Movie "Quigley Down Under" was a Sharps Model 1874 "Old Reliable" in .45-125 caliber. My heavy barrel NO. 1 Remington is the contemporary rifle to the Sharps. My Remington was made in early 1875. Serial Number is just "13" 146 years ago and shoots like it was made yesterday. Don't get me wrong I do like those Sharps Rifles and I do have a few in my collection.

 

[jimbo]

Wow! very nice

 

[jrbfishn]

Years ago, in another life around mid 1970s, guy I worked with was a retired sergeant and collector. On my days off I would help him on his land. In return his German wife would feed me, she was an excellent cook, and in the evening we would shoot some of his collection. He got me started on black powder shooting original cap and ball, and flintlock rifles.
Never ever shoot a percussion rifle with butterfly caps and a worn nipple. NOT GOOD!
Not at all.
He had a couple flintlocks from the late 1700s to early 1800s that still shot excellent. Tons of fun to shot, not so much to clean.

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[Louski]

This one

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