Little Spring Woods Loafin'

[OldWin]

Ran up to camp this morning to scout some new stand sites. Wanted to look before the leaves, and mostly the black flies, came out. Left the Jeep up at the road and walked. While the snow is gone, mud season is in full bloom. The ground was frozen deep this winter, and the frost is coming out with a vengeance. The roads were spongy to even walk on in places. It was cool and windy this morning.
Brought along one of my button mag 38-55 94 carbines and my little Colt Peacemaker. 22. Both these guns belonged to my longtime friend, mentor, and gunsmith, who passed away this past winter. The Colt I got about a month before he died, but I'd pried the 38-55 from him many years ago. It's seen a pile of country since 1899, but has a mint bore and tight head space. It's quite odd, not just for the button magazine, but it also has a nickel steel barrel. Don't see that a lot on earlier 38-55s.
I was thinking of old Ken, so I took a couple of his guns for a walk. Saw a couple partridge and some deer sign.
Any day in the woods is a good day.

[348win]

Yup I'm jealous of them Maine woods brother

[GunnyMack]

Here I thought you were going to show some fiddleheads! Ours are just starting to come up so you must be about a month behind.
38-55 is a winner in my book Jay!
Sorry to hear about your friend.

[OldWin]

Yup I'm jealous of them Maine woods brother

Haha yeah. There's no place like home!

[Walt]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind finding an older Winchester .38-55 levergun. I have a 94 Big Bore in .375 Win but the old .38-55 appeals to me. Cool caliber!

[OldWin]

I love the 38-55. I have 3 rifles and 2 carbines chambered for it. Haven't been messing with it much the last few years, but i should remedy that.

[OldWin]

Here I thought you were going to show some fiddleheads! Ours are just starting to come up so you must be about a month behind.
38-55 is a winner in my book Jay!
Sorry to hear about your friend.

Haha! Yeah my old dad said he wants to get some this year. Can't say no to that! Plus, Miss Kristy loves em.
Dad had the Evinrude running in a barrel the other day so I know he's serious. I hope I'm half that game at almost 84.
Thanks Gunny! Old Ken was the best. I was in Jr. High when I first walked into his shop and my dad bought my first 94 carbine. I hung out in his shop every evening when I was in high school. I spent a ton of time with him over the last 45 years. I don't know how he put up with me. I'll miss him.

[Paladin]

Sounds like a GOOD DAY.

[Scott Tschirhart]

What a wonderful tribute to your old friend. I love stories like this. Thank you.

[Twodot]

Nice story.
Nice rifle & revolver, nice Jeep and great red crusher.
..

[OldWin]

Thank you guys!
I keep threatening to get a new hat, but I've been wearing a red crusher since I was in high school. My first one had been my dad's.
You guys would have loved my friend's shop. I grew up out there and was kind of his adopted son. It had no plumbing. If you needed to take a leak, you stepped out back. Only a wood stove for heat. No computer, just a phone. He didn't take credit cards. If you wanted a gun and didn't have the money, you could pay a few dollars a week, or whenever you could. He had a small green metal index card box. He would write your name on a card and keep a running tally of what you owed. If he knew you, you could take the gun before paying. If you wanted to try a gun, you could dig through a big wooden box full of miscellaneous ammo and go out back and try it. If he knew you, you could take it home and try it. He would also trade and barter. Other guns, vehicles, labor, you name it.
Ken was the salt of the earth. Losing someone like this reminds me how blessed my life has been. Here's a couple pics of his shop. It was run how I described till the day he couldn't do it anymore. About 2 years ago.

[Drawdown]

Good day indeed with a fine rifle! Love it

[Griff]

[Walt]

Thanks for the pictures, Jay. I love old gun shops and gunsmith shops. Lifelong accumulations of the best junk one could imagine. I'm old enough now that all my old mentors are gone but I sure loved them. Oh man, the lessons learned from those old guys.

[gamekeeper]

Really great photos of what a gun shop should look like, I bet you could spend all day there and still not see everything years ago I had a friend with a gun shop who operated in a similar fashion.

[AJMD429]

What a wonderful tribute to your old friend. I love stories like this. Thank you.

Yep.

We need to all be mindful to involve youngun's in the outdoors (and pry them from their 'smart'phones in the process). That way someone will be around in the woods someday in memory or tribute to US.

Even better, the youngun's we edjuccate as to the outdoors and the political ways of the world, will be better stewards of our wonderful nation.

Take a kid with you when you go woods-walkin'...!

[OldWin]

Thanks guys! I sure do miss it all.

That's a good reminder Doc! My grandkids keep me busy passing it all on.