137-year-old Winchester rifle found in Nevada has new home

[xaos]

A 137-year-old rifle found five years ago leaning against a juniper tree in Great Basin National Park in Nevada is now part of an exhibit dedicated to the "Forgotten Winchester" at the park visitor center near the Utah border.

The weathered Winchester Model 1873 is in a case designed to capture the way it looked when park archaeologist Eva Jensen stumbled across it on a rocky outcrop above Strawberry Creek during an archaeological survey.

Based on its condition, experts believe the weapon might have been abandoned in the forest more than a century ago.

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[Kray Gelder]

There's a story there, but we'll never hear it. Imagine abandoning a prized possession such as that. Perhaps gone to the happy hunting grounds.

 

[tamrock]

There's a story there, but we'll never hear it. Imagine abandoning a prized possession such as that. Perhaps gone to the happy hunting grounds.

If I was to speculate, I'm thinking some Basque sheep herder sat up against that tree for a while to rest and then jumped up on his horse and again started riding off. Later on he noticed his rifle wasn't in his saddle scabbard. He went back to look for it, but the hundred of juniper's all looked the same and he for the life of him couldn't quite remember where it was he set that rifle down. He probably figured he'll come by it someday, but never did.

 

[BillA]

interesting save
that area has now been burnt-over and had it not been found would interesting scrap

 

[A2coins]

How cool would that be

 

[islamoradamark]

TOO COOL

 

[Mudflap]

I remember reading about that. Glad they were able to display it for the public to view.