Reminiscence anyone? Join in.

6480 Views 67 Replies 38 Participants Last post by Jive Turkey, 3 mo ago

32412

Discussion Starter · Jun 11, 2009

On its surface, the Henry line of lever actions evoke nostalgic memories of the old west as I learned of it in the movie theaters of the 1950s. That's one reason I bought a H001T a couple of weeks ago. I've enjoyed getting to know my Henry, and it has brought to mind other happy memories of growing up. Perhaps you have shared the same experience, so I'll start and hope you will join in.

I recall how excited I got when new issues of Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and Sports Afield arrived in the mail. I guess Field and Stream was my favorite. I'd read and reread each issue and lust after guns and fishing tackle far out of my financial reach. Remember "The Old Man and the Boy" and Ted Trueblood. Wonderful writers painted word- pictures even a pre-teen boy could visualize. Looking back from three scores living in the real world, I see how cunning advertisers in those magazines really were. I was never satisfied. With each issue, I found somthing new to covet.

The best Christmas I ever had was when I woke up to find a Browning Sweet 16 under the tree. I loved that gun, but in short time wanted to add a Poly Choke and ventilated rib. I was never satisfied.

The reason I mentioned the Browning is that the steel receiver had a steel tang much like the Henry's alloy tang. And that tang was my nemisis. It can remain warm well into November in Alabama, and the combination of that Browning tang and my sweaty hands was a catalyst for rust.

When I shot my new H001t the first time, the temperature was approaching 90 degrees with high humidity and no breeze. That's when I remembered the Sweet 16. With the Henry, I have another classic rifle. But this one has a tang that won't rust.

Life just gets better and better.

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varmit hunter67

· #41 · Jan 1, 2010

Frankc, you have my sympathy. The desire is still there, if not the way. And that is what is important. I feel undressed if I don't have a pocket knife in my pants even today. And over the years I have received some compliments from the medics on how sharp I kept my knives while they were sewing me up

. I am afraid my carving skills were never up to yours. I was more utilitarian in the use of my knives. I have a modest collection which will go on down the line at some point in time. The Barlow has to have been one of the first knives ever carried. I think Case has always been my favorite. VH

man:

Moondog52

· #42 · Jan 3, 2010

Reminiscence Some More

varmit hunter67 said:
Frankc, you have my sympathy. The desire is still there, if not the way. And that is what is important. I feel undressed if I don't have a pocket knife in my pants even today. And over the years I have received some compliments from the medics on how sharp I kept my knives while they were sewing me up . I am afraid my carving skills were never up to yours. I was more utilitarian in the use of my knives. I have a modest collection which will go on down the line at some point in time. The Barlow has to have been one of the first knives ever carried. I think Case has always been my favorite. VH man:

I sure do understand what you mean about feeling undressed without a pocket knife. I remember getting my first knife as a Cub Scout or Boy Scout. Can't remember which but to this day I still carry one. At work I get some strange looks at times when some folks know I'm carrying a knife. But when someone needs one they sure are happy when I get mine out. Hey! We were talking about old Westerns earlier in this thread. I was just up in Gatlinburg, Tn. before New Years for a week. I wanted to be in the Smokies for the snow. I like to do the photography thing. They have a TV station up there called RTV (Retro TV). I got to see of all shows 'The Cisco Kid'. Was kinda nice to see old Pancho and Cisco again!

deputy tom

· #43 · Jan 4, 2010

This thread brought back some great memories for me.1950's Cowboy movies on TV,Christmas's past as nothing beats a few 50 rd boxes of .22 lr ammo and a bottle of Hoppes ,an orange and a few walnuts in the stocking,lots of things come to mind as well.Nothing like a Scout/Camper pocket knife and your favorite .22 rifle along with with a pocket full of ammo and a compass to provoke old memories.At least we have this to fall back on.tom.

Jrod240

· #44 · Jan 4, 2010

Not much to add...

I don't have much to add to all of this, but I have had a great time reading this thread. Keep them coming.

My dad isn't much of a hunter but my grandfather was the one who really taught me what I know about guns and gun saftey, we never watched any of the TV shows as my parents were afraid of the violence. My grandfather had better ideas. When he got too old to use his Double Barrel .12 gague, he bought me an old Colt Coltier single shot bolt action .22 so that I could take care of the crows in his orchard. Everytime I went to his house, there was another box of TruValue Hardware .22lr shells waiting for me during the summer. I don't remember ever killing a single crow either. But he never said a word about it. Still have the gun and still have a box of ammo.

I am too old to be young and too young to be old. I need to live vicariouslly though you all keep them coming.

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deputy tom

· #45 · Jan 4, 2010

Truvalue .22 lr ammo was my mainstay.Purchased at Stone's Hardware in Bridgeville,Pa.That's the brand in the Christmas stockings as well.tom.

PS I have a 50 rd box of them that are at least 42 years old.

Chazbo

· #46 · Jan 4, 2010

"The Rifleman" with Chuck Connors was my favorite. Nothing made me want a lever action rifle more than the opening credits where he
blazes away with his big loop lever.

My dad had a Marlin 39 that fueled my boyhood lusts and imagination too, and let me shoot it for the first time when I was around 5 years old. He had to help support it for me when I shot, but I still remember that day clearly, now coming up on fifty years later. Those days when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I replied honestly "a cowboy"!

Today's levers are a Browning 71 and BL-22. Just need the hat, chaps and spurs.

Jrod240

· #47 · Jan 4, 2010

Deputy Tom...I had to go and look to see the box again. If push comes to shove, I could probably still use those Truvalue rounds. I also have a box of Western Super X rounds. They were manufactured by Winchester, they look a little iffy to say the least.

The orchard is gone, my grandfather passed away a long time ago, but the crows are still there, at least for the time being.

deputy tom

· #48 · Feb 16, 2010

Jrod240 said:
Deputy Tom...I had to go and look to see the box again. If push comes to shove, I could probably still use those Truvalue rounds. I also have a box of Western Super X rounds. They were manufactured by Winchester, they look a little iffy to say the least.

The orchard is gone, my grandfather passed away a long time ago, but the crows are still there, at least for the time being.

I've got a few boxes of misc. .22 lr that have grown a little fuzzy on the lead.I doubt if these ever will be shot.tom.

varmit hunter67

· #49 · Feb 16, 2010

I'll be 69 here in a few months. I started over at the first post and reading back down through them, makes me realize how lucky I am. I am still in good shape (geriatrically speaking) having survived growing up on a farm, driving way to fast as a teenager, making it to SE Asia and back unscathed, running up and down the mountains of Montana for work and play, duck hunting, deer, elk, bear, mountain goat, antelope, upland birds, rabbits, squirrels and varmints in general (2-legged kind for many years). Had a heart attack at 47 that slowed me down for a while, and my wife won't let me forget about. But life is better now - well almost, I won't kid myself I can do everything I did 15 years ago. Or how great growing up on the farm was in the 40's and 50's was. I wish my kids and grandkids could experience that life. How many of you took your first true-love on a hayride under an October full moon and had Sloopy Joes and hot chocolate afterwards? Life wasn't hard, as so many have said. It was what we did. Wasn't it great!
Now I have a 32 year old son who is my best friend. I am so proud of him I could spit! A couple grandkids who are learning to hunt and fish from their dad, with my help whenever possible. A 26 year old daughter who is still my princess, and does her best to outshoot me. A wife who puts up with me. Several dogs and cats who think I am the greatest old guy in the world. I still fish, but I have rekindled my love for my firearms. I have added 6 or 8 in the past few years. I just need the time, money and place(s) to shoot them all. I have to be one of the luckiest people in the world. And the great people on this forum makes me realize how lucky I am. I wish I could shake the hand of every one of you. VH

man:

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Hardcase

· #50 · Feb 16, 2010

My dad has given me all of his guns, except for his trusty S&W .357. Along with those old rifles and shotguns came some wonderful stories.

My grandfather used to pick up a few .22 shorts back in the early '20s to bring home a little extra meat for dinner. And my dad, in the years after World War II used to do the same thing.

One of the things that my dad said that he always wished that he had was a lever action rifle. He grew up on cowboys and westerns, but never could afford even the cheapest levergun - all of his guns belonged to my granfather or great grandfather. Then, after he grew up and became successful, he just never had time. So it's a kick to head out to the range when he's in town and go through my little collection of Henrys and Winchesters. And the funny thing is that he gets a kick out of shooting for fun and not for food!

Somebody talked about being a kid with his gun on his bicycle heading out to do a little shooting. My dad did the same thing. Unfortunately, things had changed enough by the time I was that age that a 12 year old with a gun wasn't kosher. Not the kind of SWAT - type insanity that would happen today, but it was the beginning of the end.

Along with those guns, I also got a few precious boxes of .22 short ammo from way back. And two of the guns were the pair of Winchester 1906 rifles that my dad and granddad used back then. How good of a rifle did Winchester make? My wife uses my dad's early 1930's model for metallic silhouette shooting - and schools us all!

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peeperx

· #51 · Feb 17, 2010

My first knife.

Hi! every one I just got back to this thread , And saw some of the other comments. I was given my first knife by my mothers sister on my ninth birthday, and was playing in the atic with it and cut my right index finger and hid it from my mom and dad so they would not take the knife , but was folied in this attempt by my teacher at school as she wanted to know why I had this rough looking bandage on my hand , when she puled it off to take a look she had a shock as the end of my finger pulled most of the way off the bone and she about had a fit! but I did get to keep the knife! as an aside this same aunt now does not reconize me or anyone else now and it's a shame as she and her late husband were dad and moms best freinds as well as being related . I guess it's catching because as

I look at the threads I have posted here I see that I have hit the wrong keys most of the time , "sorry about that" the fingers dont work as well as they once did and the left thumb wont hold any weght at all.

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deputy tom

· #52 · Dec 12, 2016

deputy tom said:
This thread brought back some great memories for me.1950's Cowboy movies on TV,Christmas's past as nothing beats a few 50 rd boxes of .22 lr ammo and a bottle of Hoppes ,an orange and a few walnuts in the stocking,lots of things come to mind as well.Nothing like a Scout/Camper pocket knife and your favorite .22 rifle along with with a pocket full of ammo and a compass to provoke old memories.At least we have this to fall back on.tom.

And I still feel this way. Merry Christmas Everyone. tom. :bthumb:

carriec

· #53 · Dec 12, 2016 (Edited)

Thanks and same to you and yours Tom. This was a great thread and I see it was last on in 2010. I hope those folks are well and enjoying the season along with the memories. Getting harder to find any connection with the here and now in light of what has gone before. Expect it is that way with many generations. Been a heck of a ride so far.

A square 10

· #54 · Dec 12, 2016

im also pleased to see this resection of a fun thread , i reread and enjoyed it all over again , have since added a lot of levers , not all 22s but most are , including one yesterday and intend to order another this week

flylo

· #55 · Dec 12, 2016

I bought my 4 year old grandson a 22 Henry Oct barrel & his name as the serial#, my son his dad a Philmont 22 because he went there when he made eagle scout. I bought 2 Uberti silverboy's for me, one for a scope & one for a peep as they where cheaper $315/shipped & like them all. I think Henry proves America can produce quality products at a reasonable price & Henry has the best service I've seen in years.:bthumb:

Black Knight

· #56 · Dec 21, 2016 (Edited)

varmit hunter67 said:
I'll be 69 here in a few months. I started over at the first post and reading back down through them, makes me realize how lucky I am. I am still in good shape (geriatrically speaking) having survived growing up on a farm, driving way to fast as a teenager, making it to SE Asia and back unscathed, running up and down the mountains of Montana for work and play, duck hunting, deer, elk, bear, mountain goat, antelope, upland birds, rabbits, squirrels and varmints in general (2-legged kind for many years). Had a heart attack at 47 that slowed me down for a while, and my wife won't let me forget about. But life is better now - well almost, I won't kid myself I can do everything I did 15 years ago. Or how great growing up on the farm was in the 40's and 50's was. I wish my kids and grandkids could experience that life. How many of you took your first true-love on a hayride under an October full moon and had Sloopy Joes and hot chocolate afterwards? Life wasn't hard, as so many have said. It was what we did. Wasn't it great!
Now I have a 32 year old son who is my best friend. I am so proud of him I could spit! A couple grandkids who are learning to hunt and fish from their dad, with my help whenever possible. A 26 year old daughter who is still my princess, and does her best to outshoot me. A wife who puts up with me. Several dogs and cats who think I am the greatest old guy in the world. I still fish, but I have rekindled my love for my firearms. I have added 6 or 8 in the past few years. I just need the time, money and place(s) to shoot them all. I have to be one of the luckiest people in the world. And the great people on this forum makes me realize how lucky I am. I wish I could shake the hand of every one of you. VH man:

I do not have a Henry....yet. The remarks made in this one thread make me wonder why I have been so slow to jump on the bandwagon.
VH, I really appreciated your remarks, and noticed they were written in 2010, when you were soon to be 69. Then I noticed that you were online NOW !!! Praise the Lord.
Seriously, I have started back shooting the lowly .22, and have gone through he gamut, Rugers and Marlins and Brownings. But you don't see threads like this one one their respective forums. I think the Frontier model is beckoning me......I hope Santa is listening !
God Bless and Merry Christmas

deputy tom

· #57 · May 14, 2018

Memorial Day is two weeks away. This thread can't die. tom. :bthumb:

varmit hunter67

· #58 · May 15, 2018

jsmaye said:
So now I'm picturing this 10-year-old kid riding his bike, with a rifle laying across the handlebars, a sack of .22s in one hand, and puffing on a cheap cigar like a miniature locomotive. Now THAT'S Americana...:bthumb:

This thread is something else. I really enjoy reading the posts by those I know are about my age or so, those of the younger RFCers who come along later.

Old memories and pictures in my mind come and go that were not forgotten, just mislaid, for 40-50 years. jsmaye's post struck a cord with me. Our farm was about a mile or a little more from the Boone River in Wright Co. Iowa. I was probably 11 or 12 when I started riding my sister's girl's bike which was really to small for me, over to the farm of one of my dad's cousins. Either my Rem Mdl 24 or a fishing rod would be across the handle bars. The river was on the backside of his farm and I couldn't begin to count the number of days (and catfish & squirrels) and fun times I spent along the river. I even skinned out a squirrel one day and built a fire and (tried to) cook that squirrel. I think I ate that squirrel one layer at a time when I could peel some meat off it.

Another post reminded me that I did have a lever rifle. It was a Marlin 336 in 30-30. My mother bought it for me for my 16th birthday. I shot my first 2 Missouri deer with it while still in HS. My father had passed a week after my 14th birthday and the next year (56) my Mother moved my brother and I down to Lake of the Ozarks where dad had looked at a cattle ranch he really wanted. That rifle, my Win 62, Rem. Mdl 11 12 ga., an H&R 16 ga. bolt action, and an old single barrel 20 ga. that had belonged to my dad's uncle were stolen a few years later when I was at the U. of Mo. in my freshman year in the School of Forestry. My Rem. 24 was the only one the thief somehow missed. My brother lost a his trombone, drums and more. I treasure that little 24 all the more for the memories I had as a youngster with that rifle.

VH

man:

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Roadrat

· #59 · May 15, 2018

Great stories of better times in the lives of young boys. My first experience was with a few of the kids in the neighborhood..We must have been about 10-11 and only one kid had a .22 rifle. We would all pitch in our change and get the 35 cents needed to buy a box of .22 longs. We would then walk the creeks and fields taking turns shooting whatever showed up until the ammo was gone and it was time to head home for supper.

Hard to believe that if that was done today all the kids and the parents were be jail before the sun goes down.

Sad the freedoms we have given up over the years.

vfourmax

· #60 · 5 mo ago

Hardcase said:
One of the things that my dad said that he always wished that he had was a lever action rifle. He grew up on cowboys and westerns, but never could afford even the cheapest levergun -

My first "real" job as a teen in the very early 70's was working in a store that sold only firearms, archery and fishing gear.
I can remember that a Marlin 39a, Winchester 9422 or Browning.22 levergun were all right at the $200 or slightly above price point which back in the early 70's was a lot of money.
A .30-.30 lever gun if I remember correctly was only about $135 in comparison.

We did not sell very many of the .22 lever guns really back then.
I want to say that a Ruger single six with both cylinders sold for I believe $87.50 back then and a Super Blackhawk .44 mag was around $135.

But then minimum wage was only around $1.60 an hour so in some ways it sounds cheap but for the times it really was not.

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