Post by 117 on Mar 16, 2014 21:51:17 GMT -5
Guns and shooting were introduced to me very early in life. 22's for gophers, a 16 gauge bolt gun for ducks and geese. Living on a large farm I was fortunate, trapping and shooting were part of my day to day. Standing in my fathers closet was a model 8, I was never allowed to handle it and with this the mystique of this rifle steadily grew. Now and again when my parents were away my older brother would sneak it out for a look. On these rare occasions I could handle it, and as we grew older we finally grew bold enough to dig up some 35's and give it a try. Sadly, the firing pin only dented the primer.
Eventually refiring the dented rounds did produce one successful ignition. Funny, years later my brother and I still talked about that single shot. It happened at dusk, a small flame followed the 200 gr bullet out the bore. After so much time, the failed attempts, the rifle hidden away for so many years that single shot was a mighty triumph. At such an impressionable age it certainly had an impact.
This model 8 was carried by a railway man who worked with my Grandfather. Everyone on the rail crew carried a rifle. My Grandfather's weapon of choice, a winchester lever gun. Lighter than the model 8 it served him well for it intended purpose, mostly for protection from roaming bears and occasionally to help with their supply of meat for camp. His friend chose the model 8, shiny new in 35 remington. It worked well for its intended purpose, but not long after it showed up in camp the comments about its weight compared to his previous weapon began.
In 1909 my Grandfather left Ontario for the prairies to homestead. His friend happily traded him for the lighter winchester and the saga of my model 8 began.
This model 8 #117 has been in our family for 103 years, and the mystique has faded only slightly. Just last month a faulty firing pin was determined to be the cause of those misfires so many years ago. With this repair complete I look forward to hauling out whats left of the same box of Dominion 35's we used as kids. I expect after all this time, the sound it makes will be music to my ears.
I've taken a number of black bears over the years, and once familiar with the gun I hope to stock them again this spring carrying grand dads model 8. I will keep you posted on my progress.
117