Lever Guns – Pure Americana
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 10 months ago
As I’ve said, I could listen to Ryan Muckenhirn talk about boiling beans for hours and never get bored. I watched every minute of the video (it’s a long one). But lever actions guns are almost always unique, are historic, are a distinct part of Americana, come from a much better time in history, were designed by the very best mechanics and craftsmen America had to offer, are still viable and useful today, and still (in many cases) carry the wood stock and beautiful furniture you would like to turn over to your children and grandchildren. Jim said it near the end when he said he got into lever guns when he sat back and thought one day when he hands his children his weapons, “Here, offspring, here is this really special firearm …,” and then thought, I have no special firearms. So he bought lever guns.
They’re beautiful, classic, nostalgic, fun to operate, can still put meat on the table, and it’s no wonder there is such a resurgence in interest in lever actions guns and the cartridges they shoot.
I’d like to have a much larger collection of lever action guns than I do. I’ll tell you someone who had a gigantic collection of lever action guns: Jeff Quinn of Gunblast, whom I miss.
On February 21, 2023 at 1:10 am, Georgiaboy61 said:
An uncle on my wife’s side of the family, now deceased, owned a museum-quality collection of authentic Old West firearms. He resided in Kansas, so had good proximity to classical western firearms, and he got into collecting back in the old days, when high-quality and rare pieces could often be had for a song. In the busyness of daily life, I neglected to ask what happened to his collection, which numbered in the hundreds of pieces. I hope it would up in good hands or in a museum somewhere, because it was that good of a collection.
On February 21, 2023 at 6:57 am, jrg said:
The lever is uniquely an American classic. From the ‘West That Was Won’, to deer hunting Dads and Uncles, a lever rifle was often carried. Then bolt rifles (mostly) took over, with the lever set way back in the safe to be admired only rarely. Then Cowboy competition shooting happened and the lever came back almost from the grave.
Winchester – Marlin – Savage levers. Glad to see them coming back. Their flat profile ere easier to pack and carry, with no awkward bolts poking out. Almost a shame to scope those levers, but reality and Olde Eyes, its the only option.
On February 21, 2023 at 3:17 pm, Old Bill in TN said:
Herschel, I have an 1892 Winchester in 38-40 that my Grandfather bought as a young man on his first job out of engineering school. He was working on a damn in South Dakota (it’s still there). The kicker is he bought the gun in Deadwood. (Can’t document this, it’s the family story). It’s in pretty good shape for a USED gun, certainly not a museum piece. It drives nails on the range despite having the old style buckhorn sights that I’m not used to. It’s a great family heirloom, and I love it!
On February 21, 2023 at 3:47 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Old Bill,
You make sure to let me know the day you want to get rid of that awful piece. I’ll be happy to take it off your hands.
I’m here to serve.
On February 21, 2023 at 3:55 pm, scott s. said:
Collecting 1894/M94 Winchesters you better have deep pockets. pre-WWI takedown model is my ideal.
On February 21, 2023 at 4:05 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Deep pockets. Yes. For any vintage lever action.