132-year-old Winchester rifle found propped against tree

[DaBull]

I thought this was cool:

Archaeologists conducting surveys in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park came upon a gun frozen in time: a .44-40 Winchester rifle manufactured in 1882. It was propped up against a juniper tree.

It’s remarkable that anyone was able to spot the gun back in November, as it had blended in so well with its surroundings. The unloaded gun appears to have been left undisturbed for more than 100 years; its wooden base had turned gray and was partially buried, and the barrel had rusted.

Although staff have no idea how the rifle ended up there, “it looked like someone propped it up there, sat down to have their lunch and got up to walk off without it,” Andler said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/01/14/the-mystery-of-the-132-year-old-winchester-rifle-found-propped-against-a-national-park-tree/

[sniper7]

Pretty cool!

[mcantar18c]

I wonder how long the police call lasted.

[wctriumph]

I read a couple of articles on this, pretty neat find. The first picture of it mentioned something hidden but I picked it out right away as I was looking for a gun. My wife and daughter could not see it until I said to look for the rifle, then it popped right out.

Once while hiking with my brother he found an arrowhead and about a yard away I found a badly deformed bullet. I may still have it somewhere. It was fun to speculate on how both of these items were so close to each other and from another time.

[To Bear Arms]

here is exactly what happened, except jeremiah didnt find the rifle, and the animals drug off his bones.



"It is a good rifle, and killt the bear that killt me."
http://www.destgulch.com/movies/johnson/john03.jpg


One of my favorite movies! I am going to have to go watch it now.[Pop]

[Bailey Guns]

Pretty cool find. If only it could talk.

[Ah Pook]

JJJ was my favorite book in HS. Probably why I moved to CO.

Years ago I read an article about a traveler, in a remote CA NP, that came across a cave with a revolver, bullets and newspaper (dated). Obviously a scofflaw hiding from the law. He left it to history. Not surprised there aren't more out there.

A rifle against a tree is an interesting story.

[GilpinGuy]

So cool. I have no idea how fast juniper trees grow. How big could that tree have been 132 years ago?

55095

[Guylee]

Someone probably a little too tipsy on their liquor that wandered in to take a dump, then forgetfully wandered off without the gun, and then probably spent the better part of a week trying to find which #@$@ing juniper they leaned it against.

My thoughts exactly. It's surprising how often guys will lean a rifle against a tree and then just walk off without it.

[KS63]

So cool. I have no idea how fast juniper trees grow. How big could that tree have been 132 years ago?

55095
I'm a little sceptical on this story. I won't doubt the rifle has been there for quite some time, but a 100yrs? Nah.

[DaBull]

I'm a little sceptical on this story. I won't doubt the rifle has been there for quite some time, but a 100yrs? Nah.

If the tree grew around the rifle, then maybe they can look for some kind of effect on its growth rings to date it.

Otherwise, it is possible somebody took it out for a spin--let's say it was in the 1940's, when it would have been an old beater rifle and not an antique. They misplace it and just go home because it is not worth looking for all day. So, it would have sat out for some time less than 130 years.

In any case, it would look cool above a mantle.