I eased to the backyard of the shop where a fairly large oak spreads it limbs. The birds continued to caw and skip limb to branch and without conscious thought I raised my arm as if taking aim. The crows went silent.
*****
Nice fella came in yesterday and sold a couple of his closet queens. I purchased a nice Remington model 700. She's a beauty, a classic. Dated the rifle to 1962. She's dressed in walnut with a fairly nice 3x9 scope and an older military style leather sling. I might keep her. I'll slip a picture in here, a stock picture off the web, as I clean forgot to snap pictures.
Anyway, this gives you an idea. She's chambered in 30/06. Now, with it in my 'armory,' as the liberals say, it makes me want to pack and head to the mountains for an elk hunt.
The second firearm he sold me was an old Westernfield shotgun. It's been a long time since I've handled a Westernfield. She's really just a Mossberg 500. Mossberg slapped the designation of 550 on her and set the line aside for Montgomery Wards. (check spelling) Wards stocked the shotguns for years and as you know have been out of business for a long time. Not many of these old girls are still in action.
Gotta run. See you guys later.
Stephen
If I was down there I might make an offer on them.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that someone needed to sell them off like that.
Sign of the times I guess.
Matt, some of these old boys quit using their firearms years and years ago and now, near the end, just cash them in for their children and grandchildren. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteNice guns, a good bolt action 30-06 is a good thing to have.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Bubba. Thanks.
DeleteNice..
ReplyDeleteOld guns, I can remember my Father buying a Shotgun at Sears for 79 bucks...Still has it. Still uses it...Takes it to the range and puts slugs in the 8" ring at 100 yards..He will be 81 this month. He'll be in the woods with his Grandson and myself this Deer season.
Old guns, old guys, don't mess with them.
Appears you have a great father, my friend. I bet he's chomping at the bit to hit the woods. Thanks, hope you have a nice evening.
DeleteCrows live pretty old and have good memories.
ReplyDeleteNice old guns. Good thing I'm not in your business as I'd never let any go. Can't make any money that way.
You would "rescue" a few, but after a while, unless it's something special it gets cleaned and put in the rack. I became a dealer in 05 and I've rescued a total of 5 guns.
DeleteSixbears,ery true and not many know that little fact. Crows are quick studies. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteRobert, that is a fact. I guess I've been buying and selling firearms for close to forty years and I still get the itch to keep one now and then..of course they must be older or unusual, or fill a hole in my 'want' list. Thank you, my friend.
My Dad took me crow hunting, when I was a child, in Arkansas. I wasn't old enough to even hold the gun. I remember him telling me. When shooting at crows, that are in a tree. Do not shoot a crow, that is on a lower branch. If you do, all of the others will fly away. He said, shoot the crows from the top branches first. And work your way down the tree.
ReplyDeleteI watched him shoot a few, from the top of the tree. The rest stayed put. I don't know why it works, it just does. Thanks for a memory I hadn't thought of in years.
And the shot guns bring back a few memory's also.
Flier, that's a neat trick, and you're more than welcome. Thank you, my good friend.
DeleteSo do you eat the crows?
ReplyDeleteAaron, I haven't shot a crow since I was twelve years old...and no we did not eat them. Thanks for the comment and please, don't be a stranger. Thanks.
DeleteMy father had a shotgun from "monkey wards" as we called it back when. He would shoot at the pigeons to get them off of the barn. :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandsons were out to the farm this last weekend and went dove hunting. For being 14 and 12, they are good shots..got 4 doves! Have given them one of my late husband's shotgun and one of his rifles. Still have some more, but will hold on to them.
Has Sweet Wife recovered yet from the snake?!
Blessings!
Yes, Sweet Wife has recovered...but, she still takes a peek under the bed before climbing in for the night. That's great your grandsons love to hunt...carry on the tradition. It's important. Thanks, my dear.
DeleteI couldn't afford a call so I used the top off of a Flair brand felt tip ink pen (before they made them baby safe with a big hole) and just sucked on it to make both a crow call or a turkey yelp. It worked but the crows soon got wise as they do.
ReplyDeleteThat's great. My grandfather used turkey wing bones for his calls. He'd put them in his old smokehouse and smoke them for days. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteI used to drink quite a bit of Old Crow. Wait....em...ah...your talking about birds! Never mind.
ReplyDeletegood post Stephen. ha ha ha ha
Thanks, my friend. Old Crow, haven't had a taste in my life.
Delete