Living history in an old gun.

[Adam Helmer]

I was given a fine Christmas gift 4 years ago; it was something I always wanted and finally got: a .30/30 Winchester.

The writing on the very good condition carbine with saddle ring just looked old. I read a recent gun magazine artice about 1,800 .30/30 M94 Winchesters called "Spruce Guns" because they were issued to forest rangers during WWI to protect the Alaskan spruce timber needed for WWI aircraft. The serial number block of those "Spruce Guns" is 35+/- digits ABOVE my M94 Winchester's serial number.

Ok, my Winchester is old and could have been a WWI veteran, but was not. I appreciate this old arm and carry it afield as is due a venerable arm. I have no idea where this rifle has been before it came to my vault.

I collect old coins, old guns, old bayonets and other stuff older than me. I often wonder, "Where has this stuff been?" I am glad to have owned it all while I was passing through.

Adam