The Winchester/Sharps show in Cody, Wyoming is one of the premier gun shows in America. Yesterday I went to Cody to see what I didn't have and could afford to buy. I came home empty handed.

A friend of mine had the most spectacular display of 50 caliber Winchesters you will ever see in one collection. He had over 24 feet of floor space with rifles hanging nearly 8 feet high. You just don't see this kind of display anywhere. The condition of all the rifles was near mint on many and 90% or better on most of the rest.

I pointed out a few of the rifles I would like to have should something bad happen to him...

Did he get your autograph?




Travis

I expect to see you standing over a dead moose or elk with one of those rifles this winter...
Bob

I saw Mike's unbelievable collection at a WACA show in Erie, PA many years ago....Breathtaking to say the least!

I thought an autograph was an even trade, he didn't...

The autograph needs to be on a check:) Nice collection of Winchesters to be sure.

I know a guy with a huge Winchester collection. He's pretty tight lipped about it. He has hundreds -- shotguns, bolt guns, lever guns -- probably 600 in total. He started buying in the late 60's as an alternative retirement plan. They go way back and everything is in good condition, about half of the stuff he bought new in the box.

He's 68 and on the verge of retirement. I think his retirement plan is well funded.

Back in 2001/2002, I traded most of my Father's pre-'64 Winchester 70 collection to a friend for a section of irrigated farm ground. The farm rent provides a known income stream, paid in halves on May and November 1st each year.

I have always considered the gun collection as a tax free supplement to my retirement income. The problem is I keep adding inventory not reducing it. I'm working on a M70 collection of the original std calibers.

I doubt he votes democrat

There was a guy south of Corvallis, OR in the 60's and 70's that had a collection of Winchesters that was so huge that when he displayed them in the Memorial Coliseum in Portland they covered most of the wall on one side of the arena floor. After his death, the heirs just sold everything for a huge amount of money.

Heirs probably lived in Kalifornia.. and fought over every nickel.

Yeah we did and GFYS you ignorant bassturd, cause everyone in Kalifornia is a money grubbing whore!

I rearranged my Photobucket and had to re-post the picture. There may be larger collections, there may be more money in guns, but to find a collection of 50 caliber Winchesters in this condition, won't happen anywhere...

Thanks for checking in and confirming what everyone here would surmise, genius.. and, oh by the way, Stank You for your dumbazz PM.

So, how many did you keep? I mean the ones that really meant something to you, being family member and all.

Now, GFY and have a nice day, muffin crotch.

My father has a larger collection of 50 cal than this, he also has the largest collection of factory engraved guns dating pre-1940 than anyone in the country including 2 Annie Oakley guns, and one of the last one of one thousand guns in private hands

Pictures or it ain't true (per Campfire rules)

My dad can beat up your dad...

A good friend of mine found and bought the nicest 1886 I've ever seen in person a few years ago. Thing was and is beautiful. Added to that it is chambered in 50/100/450, has deluxe wood, checked top flat on the octagon, and original express leaf barrel sights as well as a tang sight. All accompanied by a Cody letter. It's a full magazine takedown too. He gathered a complete set of original loading tools, nutcracker, mold, etc to go along with it. Told me he was going to shoot a grizzly in the spring if he could get close enough to one. Sadly, he passed away shortly afterward and never got to hunt with it, though I know he did shoot it some. I saw it at a local shop after his death but haven't seen it the last couple times I've stopped in.
It would have fit right in in the collection Shrapnel posted above.

One of the nicest 1886's I ever saw came out of a garbage can set at the curb.

kaywoodie, that's got to be an incredible story. Mind elaborating?

I mean, best at the curb story I have personally is an as new condition offset smoker and a likewise condition big Weber kettle grill set out for bulk trash.

I was sick as a dog with the flu, but managed to drag my ass down the block twice to roll both of 'em back.

About 30 years ago when I was full time at the shop college kid walked in with a standard old run of the mill '86 rifle in 45-90. Thing was it was really nice. Lots of color still on the receiver, and wood was really nice. Kid wanted to sell it. Damn nice rifle.

I asked him how he came by it. He said when he was a kid, old lady in the neighborhood died and the family cleaned out the house. He was riding his bicycle down the street, passed one of the garbage cans, and the butt of the rifle was sticking out. So he pulled it out and took it home.

Really nice piece. He said he always just kept it in his closet. Needed some cash. Wanted to sell it. He turned down the offer that was made to him by shop manager. One of the old shop buzzards followed him outside and bought it from him in the parking lot.

Thanks for sharing the story, kaywoodie.