Oldest Rifle?

roy reali · July 25, 2008, 11:40 PM

What is the oldest rifle you have ever hunted with? I don't mean reproduction guns, but actual, old rifles. What cartridge was it chambered for? Did you harvest any game with it?

Darren007 · July 25, 2008, 11:45 PM

An all original (not sporterized), near mint conditition 1891 Argentine Mauser chambered in 7.65x53mm.

Have taken two whitetails with it. Awesome rifle and very accurate!!!

guntotin_fool · July 26, 2008, 12:42 AM

an original trapdoor, 1873 carbine, 45-70

My father had hunted as kid with his fathers muzzle loader. It came from sweden in the late 1800 when my grandfather was a young boy, his parents thought indians were still on the rampage in Minnesota and sent him along with his rifle. I believe he had it stored in his bureau somehow.

My brother still has the gun but it shoots a 8mm ball, so its really only good for bunnies and the like.

W. C. Quantrill · July 26, 2008, 08:13 AM

I have an original 1873 Springfield Trapdoor .45-70 Serial Number in the 280K range. I shoot only Goex black powder in it, and soft cast original 500gr Govt bullets. I have killed several mule deer with that rifle. I also have a Smith Carbine (1850's) that was converted to .50-70 that I have shot, but have not killed anything with. I just got an 1842 US musket that I plan on shooting this hunting season.

How did the Springfield trapdoor .45-70 end up in Sweden?, and even more curious, how did it get converted to 8mm?

hogdogs · July 26, 2008, 10:52 AM

Winchester 94 vintage 1950 or so...
Took a few whitetails in the late 70's.
Brent

Hawg · July 26, 2008, 11:33 AM

Oldest rifle is an original 3 band Enfield dated 1861. Took it hunting a couple of times but never got a shot. I have taken doves and qual with a 1840's vintage SXS. I grew up squirrel hunting with an original 1887 Winchester shotgun.

guntotin_fool · July 26, 2008, 02:55 PM

trap door is a separate gun from the muzzle loader. I have the trapdoor. which my grandfather bought during the depression for 2 dollars. My brother has the muzzleloader, was made in Gotenberg it shoots a small 8 mm ball. like a .32 cal squirrel rifle.

Doyle · July 26, 2008, 05:37 PM

I killed my first deer when I was in college. I borrowed a 1917 Enfield from my landlord and shot one through the neck at 75 yds with the stock peep sight.

moose fat · July 26, 2008, 07:18 PM

I got a nice moose with my Winchester Model of 1917, barrel dated 1/18. I take it out every season but I have to rotate between my other moose guns, some Enfields and a SS Ruger, so they all get a chance.

The M17 really shines with 220gr Federals (30-06).
Enfields in .303, been playing with 180gr Sierra Pro-Hunter bullets and loads.

Kreyzhorse · July 26, 2008, 07:23 PM

A 1941 Tula SKS is the oldest rifle I own. Used it for deer a couple of times but never took a shot with it.

Scorch · July 27, 2008, 06:57 PM

1871 Mauser rifle, loaded with BP.

Inspector3711 · July 28, 2008, 04:08 PM

1892 Savage Stevens Favorite Serial #453. I last hunted squirrels with it around 1980. It was my great grandfathers first rifle. I haven't fired it since the late 1980's.

Jack O'Conner · July 28, 2008, 05:34 PM

The oldest rifle I hunted with was an early 95 Winchester in 30-40 Krag. Plain and unadorned yet it always shot to point of aim with the original V-notch open sight. But it was sold in for much needed cash when my second daughter was born with medical needs. So it goes.

I hunted several days before sighting a buck. After a short sneak, I shot a young blacktail buck with forked horns in Eldorado Nat'l Forest, California. Distance was about 80 yards or so. The buck dropped in its tracks.

Jack

Bottledestroyer22 · July 28, 2008, 06:27 PM

1928 Mosin Nagant 91 is the oldest gun I've hunted with. I shot my first deer with it.

The Meatman · July 28, 2008, 06:39 PM

We hunted squirrels with my Father in laws Model 4 Rolling block Remington. Made somewhere in the early 1900's chambered in .32 rimfire. Shoots great, didn't take anything...

Gbro · July 29, 2008, 12:07 AM

Quote:

I also have a Smith Carbine (1850's) that was converted to .50-70 that I have shot, but have not killed anything with.

WCQ,
From what I can remember there are 2 Smiths from that area. Is yours the one that uses the rubber cased cartridge?

My 1894 is dated to 1905 and is the only central fire I use when the smoke pole gets to heavy. I took my 1st and then many more whitetails with it.
I have a carbine from the 1860's that will see some field time one of these years. I shoot this old barnical but the trigger pull is upwards of 25lbs and I don't want to change anything on it.

scotjute · August 5, 2008, 11:20 AM

1901 Swedish Mauser. Took a large doe with a newer (1941) version of same gun but with a shorter barrell and sights set for 100 meters.

Stiofan · August 5, 2008, 11:44 AM

I went pig hunting with my friends Win 1886 .45-90 but I didn't get a shot, other than 4 or 5 plinking shots. He told me I could use it anytime, I'd just have to pay for the ammo.

That's when I got smart, went out and bought my Marlin .45-70

.

MeekAndMild · August 5, 2008, 07:35 PM

A long time ago I used to use a Mk III Enfield, made some time before WW-II. The bore looked like a sewer pipe and I never managed to hit anything with it.

iloveguns1 · August 6, 2008, 08:43 AM

Winchester 1892 in .25-20 made in 1904. It belonged to my wifes great grandfather. She killed her first deer with it.

Scope Bite · August 7, 2008, 01:30 AM

1903 Springfield, originally a .30-03 rifle, rechambered to '06 in the '50s.

Never took anything with it.

1950 Tula SKS - Many rabbits, squirrels, and bumblebees have died in the sights of this rifle.

1952 Winchester Model 25 - Pine chickens, clay pigeons, and some marmots lost thier lives to this scatter gun.

B. Lahey · August 7, 2008, 01:52 AM

Remington 513T "Matchmaster" on squirrels and rabbits.

Ancient aperture and globe target sights aren't great for hunting but I made it work.

kametc · August 7, 2008, 02:00 AM

8X57 Mauser, Sporterized. 1916 Amberg rifle. Apparantly a war prize. Pretty beat up but it fed us several elk and a whole bunch of deer in the early 60's.

Ken

71 Karabiner · February 16, 2016, 06:24 PM

My P-14, .303 British. Shot a cow moose with it.

I have a 1900 dated receiver on my mosin-Nagant M-91 and an 1871 Mauser that is dated 1876, I believe. I haven't hunted with those two, yet. Maybe this fall once I get some good loads worked up.

us920669 · February 16, 2016, 07:32 PM

Killed my second deer at age 16 with a sporterized 303 Enfield, WW II or earlier, can't remember much about it. For a while I hunted with a guild-made Mauser 98, marks buffed off with light engraving, lightweight stock, half-octagon barrel, a really sweet little rifle. It was in 9 X 57, a fine cartridge for deer in heavy cover.

July 25, 2008, 11:40 PM	#1
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	Oldest Rifle? What is the oldest rifle you have ever hunted with? I don't mean reproduction guns, but actual, old rifles. What cartridge was it chambered for? Did you harvest any game with it?

July 26, 2008, 02:55 PM	#7
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	trap door is a separate gun from the muzzle loader. I have the trapdoor. which my grandfather bought during the depression for 2 dollars. My brother has the muzzleloader, was made in Gotenberg it shoots a small 8 mm ball. like a .32 cal squirrel rifle. Last edited by guntotin_fool; July 26, 2008 at 08:58 PM.

July 26, 2008, 07:18 PM	#9
moose fat Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Alaska, Yukon R. delta Posts: 421	I got a nice moose with my Winchester Model of 1917, barrel dated 1/18. I take it out every season but I have to rotate between my other moose guns, some Enfields and a SS Ruger, so they all get a chance. The M17 really shines with 220gr Federals (30-06). Enfields in .303, been playing with 180gr Sierra Pro-Hunter bullets and loads. Last edited by moose fat; July 26, 2008 at 07:29 PM. Reason: caliber

July 26, 2008, 07:23 PM	#10
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	A 1941 Tula SKS is the oldest rifle I own. Used it for deer a couple of times but never took a shot with it. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 27, 2008, 06:57 PM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	1871 Mauser rifle, loaded with BP. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 25, 2008, 11:45 PM	#2
Darren007 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,053	An all original (not sporterized), near mint conditition 1891 Argentine Mauser chambered in 7.65x53mm. Have taken two whitetails with it. Awesome rifle and very accurate!!!

July 26, 2008, 12:42 AM	#3
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	an original trapdoor, 1873 carbine, 45-70 My father had hunted as kid with his fathers muzzle loader. It came from sweden in the late 1800 when my grandfather was a young boy, his parents thought indians were still on the rampage in Minnesota and sent him along with his rifle. I believe he had it stored in his bureau somehow. My brother still has the gun but it shoots a 8mm ball, so its really only good for bunnies and the like.

July 26, 2008, 08:13 AM	#4
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	I have an original 1873 Springfield Trapdoor .45-70 Serial Number in the 280K range. I shoot only Goex black powder in it, and soft cast original 500gr Govt bullets. I have killed several mule deer with that rifle. I also have a Smith Carbine (1850's) that was converted to .50-70 that I have shot, but have not killed anything with. I just got an 1842 US musket that I plan on shooting this hunting season. How did the Springfield trapdoor .45-70 end up in Sweden?, and even more curious, how did it get converted to 8mm? __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

July 26, 2008, 10:52 AM	#5
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Winchester 94 vintage 1950 or so... Took a few whitetails in the late 70's. Brent

July 26, 2008, 11:33 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Oldest rifle is an original 3 band Enfield dated 1861. Took it hunting a couple of times but never got a shot. I have taken doves and qual with a 1840's vintage SXS. I grew up squirrel hunting with an original 1887 Winchester shotgun.

July 26, 2008, 05:37 PM	#8
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I killed my first deer when I was in college. I borrowed a 1917 Enfield from my landlord and shot one through the neck at 75 yds with the stock peep sight.

July 28, 2008, 04:08 PM	#12
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	1892 Savage Stevens Favorite Serial #453. I last hunted squirrels with it around 1980. It was my great grandfathers first rifle. I haven't fired it since the late 1980's. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

July 28, 2008, 05:34 PM	#13
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	The oldest rifle I hunted with was an early 95 Winchester in 30-40 Krag. Plain and unadorned yet it always shot to point of aim with the original V-notch open sight. But it was sold in for much needed cash when my second daughter was born with medical needs. So it goes. I hunted several days before sighting a buck. After a short sneak, I shot a young blacktail buck with forked horns in Eldorado Nat'l Forest, California. Distance was about 80 yards or so. The buck dropped in its tracks. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

July 28, 2008, 06:27 PM	#14
Bottledestroyer22 Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Location: South Dakota Posts: 87	1928 Mosin Nagant 91 is the oldest gun I've hunted with. I shot my first deer with it. __________________ .22 forever

July 28, 2008, 06:39 PM	#15
The Meatman Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 157	We hunted squirrels with my Father in laws Model 4 Rolling block Remington. Made somewhere in the early 1900's chambered in .32 rimfire. Shoots great, didn't take anything... __________________ D.A.V. - N.R.A. - U.S. Army Vet Navy/Army Dad. If you won't stand behind our service members, stand in front of them. "Are you guys ready? Let's Roll" Todd Beamer, Flight 93.

August 5, 2008, 11:20 AM	#17
scotjute Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2001 Location: texas Posts: 260	1901 Swedish Mauser. Took a large doe with a newer (1941) version of same gun but with a shorter barrell and sights set for 100 meters.

August 5, 2008, 11:44 AM	#18
Stiofan Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2006 Location: Panhandle, Idaho Posts: 714	I went pig hunting with my friends Win 1886 .45-90 but I didn't get a shot, other than 4 or 5 plinking shots. He told me I could use it anytime, I'd just have to pay for the ammo. That's when I got smart, went out and bought my Marlin .45-70 .

August 5, 2008, 07:35 PM	#19
MeekAndMild Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2001 Posts: 4,988	A long time ago I used to use a Mk III Enfield, made some time before WW-II. The bore looked like a sewer pipe and I never managed to hit anything with it. __________________ In a few years when the dust finally clears and people start counting their change there is a pretty good chance that President Obama may become known as The Great Absquatulator. You heard it first here on TFL.

August 6, 2008, 08:43 AM	#20
iloveguns1 Member Join Date: August 5, 2008 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma Posts: 22	Winchester 1892 in .25-20 made in 1904. It belonged to my wifes great grandfather. She killed her first deer with it.

August 7, 2008, 01:30 AM	#21
Scope Bite Member Join Date: August 4, 2008 Posts: 39	1903 Springfield, originally a .30-03 rifle, rechambered to '06 in the '50s. Never took anything with it. 1950 Tula SKS - Many rabbits, squirrels, and bumblebees have died in the sights of this rifle. 1952 Winchester Model 25 - Pine chickens, clay pigeons, and some marmots lost thier lives to this scatter gun.

August 7, 2008, 01:52 AM	#22
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	Remington 513T "Matchmaster" on squirrels and rabbits. Ancient aperture and globe target sights aren't great for hunting but I made it work.

August 7, 2008, 02:00 AM	#23
kametc Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2007 Location: S W , Montana Posts: 206	8X57 Mauser, Sporterized. 1916 Amberg rifle. Apparantly a war prize. Pretty beat up but it fed us several elk and a whole bunch of deer in the early 60's. Ken __________________ "Allons" Blackhorse Troopers !

February 16, 2016, 06:24 PM	#24
71 Karabiner Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 3	My P-14, .303 British. Shot a cow moose with it. I have a 1900 dated receiver on my mosin-Nagant M-91 and an 1871 Mauser that is dated 1876, I believe. I haven't hunted with those two, yet. Maybe this fall once I get some good loads worked up.

February 16, 2016, 07:32 PM	#25
us920669 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2016 Posts: 181	Killed my second deer at age 16 with a sporterized 303 Enfield, WW II or earlier, can't remember much about it. For a while I hunted with a guild-made Mauser 98, marks buffed off with light engraving, lightweight stock, half-octagon barrel, a really sweet little rifle. It was in 9 X 57, a fine cartridge for deer in heavy cover.