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Campfire Ranger
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That which drove me to slow down acquiring other things of late. Fulfillment of a 50 year old dream. An 1885 Winchester High Wall, barreled by the old master, Harry M. Pope. .32-40 with a pristine bore, which is about as nice as when Harry created it in 1896. Good provenance (I'm the 6th owner), not faked, but it was refinished. (Which is why I got it for about 1/2 of what it would have cost otherwise.) Original Popes from his Hartford years often fetch enough to buy a two year old F-150, which is to say this is the only way I could ever afford one without selling a bunch of nice guns. It's a heavy beast - just shy of 14 pounds. #5 weight 30" octagon barrel, Pope tang sight, false muzzle (but no short starter, I'll have to make one), and no ramrod. Why you may ask would I need muzzle loading gear if it's a .32-40 breech loader? Because the gun was designed as a muzzle-breech loader- bullet inserted into the muzzle and pushed down the bore into the throat, charged case inserted behind it, the whole process intended to attain the maximum accuracy possible. The gun can also be loaded via breech seating the bullet ahead of a charged case, or by simply using fixed ammunition. Accuracy with fixed ammunition was typically about 2/3 as good as what could be done by muzzle loading or breech seating. Pope's rifles set 200 yard records that stood for many decades. There is written record, in his handwriting, describing his use of this very rifle in a Hartford rifle match, July 1, 1896. It is the 53rd rifle Pope built. (He only managed 237 out of 250 points, at 200 yards offhand, on the German Ring Target which consisted of a 6" bullseye with a 1" center ring that scored 25 points. He wrote that he had forgotten to bring the rod needed to adjust the elevation wheels on the sight, so all of his shots hit a bit low.) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/qNOmqiml.jpg) I'm over the top. I felt like the kid in A Christmas Story unwrapping his BB gun when I opened the big brown box.
Last edited by gnoahhh; 01/21/21.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz
"Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Geez Gary the score of a lifetime congrats. Don't just look at it , Pope built them to shoot. When your done cleaning it give it a.lick and wipe with the oily rag and celebrate but with the good stuff
MB
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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Congratulations, great history on that rifle. Looking forward to seeing some target groups fired with both methods of loading. Can you top Fireballs Savagefest three shot group?
Cheers,
Nick1899
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Campfire Outfitter
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Don't shoot your eye out.  
Last edited by 99guy; 01/21/21.
"You cannot invade mainland America. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass"
~Admiral Yamamoto~
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson~
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Campfire Tracker
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As long as you’re Happy Gary!
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson
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Joined: Nov 2013
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Pretty special piece. Congrats!
"Every day above ground is a good day."
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 778
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Anyone would be proud to own that one!
Shooting sticks or bench gun?
Bruce
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You have the rifle, AND Harry Pope's hand-written loads notes!!! That really does deserve a "HOLY SMOKES!"
I can't believe you didn't drive/fly out to get it yourself!!
Last edited by JeffG; 01/21/21.
"...One Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All"
JeffG
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Joined: Dec 2014
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Good for you. It looks brand new. It can't have been used much since it was refinished.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2005
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Who's this Harry Pope guy again? Congrats!
“ The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
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Bet there are not words to really describe how you feel. Congratulations, Gary!
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"Rhetoric is no substitute for reality." -Thomas Sowell
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Congrads old buddy, what a Cool find! Enjoy it!
Deer Camp! about as good as it gets!
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"Stand on your hind legs and shoot like a man"
What you have done is not nearly as important as how you have done it!!!
The Old Fart 2008 A.D.
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Gary !!! glad you finally got it  :DBet you cant wait to get her on paper !!!!
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Beautiful gun, as the 6th owner you have proven we are only caretakers and that rifle had some of the best. I'm very happy for you.
Mike
NRA Patron Member
If its "Made in America", its not setting on a container ship!
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What a treasure, very pleased for you Gary!
"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed-unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." James Madison
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
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Gary, very very happy for you! I know you've been thinking on such things for a while. Outstanding find. How in the world did you find it?
_______________________________________________________
An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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32-40 was a really accurate caliber loved by competitive shooters in that day. I am officially jealous.
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