OK, Pretend it's 1939, and you have to choose a rifle

[billyk338]

Ok I'll be the odd ball.I'll take a Remington Model 8 in .35 Remington

[KCSO]

My 94 38/55 rifle and my #10 tool. Shoot everything from mouse to moose from 36 rb to 275 grain bullet.

[flatfender]

Gooblerforge - I think Bogus Bill is on to something, I believe that is a whistlepig (marmot).

If sheep herding was the intent, I think the budget might get strained rather easily, so for a rifle it would be a Savage model 19 in 22 hornet as long as Bears weren't a problem, If bears were a problem, I would strain the budget a bit and try to find a 2nd hand 1886 in 33 wcf.

[Sixgun]

I don't have to pretend - in 1939 my favorite rifle was a well used Winchester 94 in Winchester .32 Special.

My hat is off to you sir. I always did respect the man who has "been there and done that" while the rest of us fantasize, "and can only wish"----------Sixgun

[colo native]

Whatr bout the 44Evans New Model, I think they still made that ammo in the 30's... 26 shots before a reload...

[OJ]

I don't have to pretend - in 1939 my favorite rifle was a well used Winchester 94 in Winchester .32 Special.

My hat is off to you sir. I always did respect the man who has "been there and done that" while the rest of us fantasize, "and can only wish"----------Sixgun

Thanks, Sixgun - I don't have a pic of me with that '94 but here I was in about 1934 with the .22 single shot rifle I got for my sixth birthday in 1932 and my "trophies" I bagged that day -



I was encouraged the other day to hear a song about the singer saying he wished he was 80 again - I could identify with that - then I realized he was wishing he was eighteen again - oh well, I'm just glad to still be here and making my weekly (correct spelling - not weakly) trips to the range to shoot my lever guns and Colt Government Model 45 pistols.

[Blaine]

I don't have to pretend - in 1939 my favorite rifle was a well used Winchester 94 in Winchester .32 Special.

My hat is off to you sir. I always did respect the man who has "been there and done that" while the rest of us fantasize, "and can only wish"----------Sixgun

I wish he'd tell that story about walking on the floor of the Red Sea.........

[Hillbilly]

what could I afford?.... maybe a Krag Jorgenson in .30 govt? A carbine. Wincesters bring pretty good money back then... Krags were cheap surplus and the round is potent enough for what we have in mind.

I will pick my working partner...thank you very much.... especially if we are gonna work anyplace near Brokeback mountain.

J

[huntershooter]

'39/high country/sheep- possibility of griz would lead me to the '71 Winchester.

[Wes]

M94 Winchester 30-30. Thats what all the mutton conductors around here (Wyoming) are still using! In 1939 there were a few grizzlies left down our way but darn few. I used to shoe horses for a few sheep outfits and got to visit with some of the old guys who'd been herding sheep since the 30's. They had a lot of problems with black bears in the high country. Sometimes moreso than with coyotes. The main problem was typically coyotes though. I would have to have at least a 30-30. The trapper or carbine would be nicer to pack with the flat side of the M94 Winchester being the most comfortable under you leg.
That critter in the picture is not a marmot. It still looks like a muskrat to me. We have them around here too (WY, CO,UT).

[Aussie Chris]

Winchester model 1894 .38-55.

[CEMENTHEAD]

Ohhhh I like this one....Bolt Action, A Sedgley 1903a3 sporterized w/ a Lyman 48 Peep. Lever Action, A Marlin Model 1895 Takedown, Pistol grip, Octagon Barrel in 33WCF or 45-70. Ahhh those must have been heady times......Thanks, Tom

[Rustolium]

I'm feelin a Marlin 93 or 36 in .30 WCF, no longer than carbine length.

[cavebear803]

I couldn't pass this one up! Savage 99 TD in .300 savage with the extra 410 Barrel. He were are dreaming right? If not that then my uncles old 25/35 rifle with a good reciever site. He could clock things way out there with his. I do believe that when Grampa was herding sheep he carried a sixgun with a winchester in the same caliber although no one agrees as to what caliber since he and uncle were both the experimenter types and bought the newest and bestest as they could!

[Jaguarundi]

With in reach of a sheep herder's budgets either a used Winnie 94 SRC in 30-30 or a surplus Krag 30 US gov.

[flb]

Interesting thread, I had an experience like that in about 1956. Back in the wilderness of the White River country in Colo. Back then 4 wheel drives were rare but uncle had one. Camped the first night and this old sheepherder rides up on his horse and had coffee with us. He was a tough hombre for sure, loved every minute of it. I was 15 and really into guns so I asked him what he had, Savage 99 in .300. He showed it to me, was beat up, no blue left but to me it was the most beautiful gun I had ever seen. True story, remember it like it was yesterday.

[Meeteetse]

M94 Winchester 30-30. Thats what all the mutton conductors around here (Wyoming) are still using! In 1939 there were a few grizzlies left down our way but darn few. I used to shoe horses for a few sheep outfits and got to visit with some of the old guys who'd been herding sheep since the 30's. They had a lot of problems with black bears in the high country. Sometimes moreso than with coyotes. The main problem was typically coyotes though. I would have to have at least a 30-30. The trapper or carbine would be nicer to pack with the flat side of the M94 Winchester being the most comfortable under you leg.
That critter in the picture is not a marmot. It still looks like a muskrat to me. We have them around here too (WY, CO,UT).

Yup, even the cow pushers used the 30/30. Most of them keep their rifles in the supply wagon to cut weight on the horse, to keep them cleaner and eliminate the saddle scabbard that could be uncomfortable. Depending on the time of year, my mom's brother would go to the high country cow camp to make sure the water holes were open before moving the cattle. His favorite was a Win. 94 in 32 spec. Whatever the caliber, the Win. 94 was a popular choice. Back in the early 1960's I used to spend the summer at the mountain cow camp, watching the cows and cutting wood for a firewood business we had. Would have gone crazy without the 30/30 and my single shot .22 to keep me company and to feel safe. Just to be clear, anyone who could afford it also had a short gun, or at least that is what I have been told by several old sod busters and cowboys.

[Malamute]

"I really would like to know what he is holding though if anyone knows."

Looks like a fairly large pack rat to me. Can't see the fluff on the tip of the tail, but otherwise looks like a pack rat. Tail is too long for a marmot. It does look like a muskrat, but all I've seen were wet, this guy looks dry.


Back OT, a 71, or 94 carbine, or '06 bolt sporter ('03 Springfield or Winchester) would work fine.

[Rexster]

Got bored and thought this might be fun. Pretend it's 1939, and you just landed a summer job, watching over a herd of sheep, in the high country. You will be horse back, and you will be gone all summer, without the luxury of resupply, everything will be carried on your horse, or in the one wagon your partner is driving, with the exception of maybe a pack animal or two, and your dogs or course.

You're going to need a rifle, or at least you sure as heck ain't gonna leave without one, but at least you're lucky enough to be able to buy about any resonably priced rifle you want. But that's it. No pistol, no reloading supplys, just your rifle a few boxes of shells. You figure you might need to shoot a wolf or two, and maybe some fresh game on occasion, to supliment the beans, coffee, and other supplys in wagon.

What are you going to choose, that's available in 1939? And remember you have to pack it on your horse, or leave it in the wagon, and it's got to stand the hard knocks of an extended stay in the high country.

For me I believe my choice would be a Winchester model 94, in 30/30 with the stock open sights, and the standard 20 inch barrel, along with a good saddle scabbord of course.

Yep, probably a Winchester '94, 20" barrel, in a good scabbard. I would prefer a receiver sight, myself. Knowing what I know now, and taking that knowledge back in time, I would also fashion some sort of sling for use on foot.

Oh, BTW, you didn't say "no shotguns!" Every outfit needs a shotgun in the wagon. I like the Winchester 1897.

[OJ]

I realize this is a pistol but, it's also a shotgun .410 H&R Handy Gun given to me as a gift in 1933. The following year the NFA was passed supposedly aimed at limiting ownership of "Tommy Guns" but the ATF, as any government agency does, tacked on a lot of other guns and I had to register it with a $200 (depression day dollars) fee - most expensive gift I ever got.





I had to list my reason for owning such an "outlawed weapon" - I said I was a gun collector. I was almost eight years old.

The BATFE (now) has refused to "delist" it and if found possessing one not registered - even though they did agree to relist it as a "Curio & Relic" - the fine is $10,000 - and there is no legal way to register it at any price. We should be thankful we don't have more government than we have.

PS - I thought I saw a shotgun post but now I can't find it - didn't mean to do wrong.

[TX Gun Runner]

I think the original 92 in 44-40