Three generations one rifle

[BilletHead]

       This here is a story of three generations of BilletHeads,

    Grandpa (Charles Reynolds) had a model 94 30-30 Winchester.  He hunted with it where he lived in Minnesota. Not sure how many he shot with this rifle, but I have one of his antlers taken in 1966. 

   Before he passed when he moved back to Missouri, he gave the rifle to my father.  My Father (Charles Henry) shot deer with this rifle. It was a big deal when Dad hunted and got a deer as he had Polio. He got it done though. I have his first and only buck antlers,

 When Dad passed 20 years ago the rifle was passed to me.  Until yesterday I have not firearm hunted for 25 years. We did this as a family way back when my dad and brother was alive. Dad, Bob, Pat and I would tear them up and when Matt (Matthew Martin BilletHead Jr.) was old enough he hunted also. I have just did not have the desire just been archery hunting with Pat. As I set out trail cams at mom's place, I thought about many hunts there. Got some nice deer running there now. So, a couple weeks ago I shot a buck with the bow. In the back of my mind, I thought about getting that rifle out.  I finally did and shot it a few times getting it zeroed again. Grandpa used open sights, but dad put a side mount for a scope on it. For those of you that don't know the model 94 ejected shells out the top. I left the cheap Tasco scope on it.  So, I decided to get a firearms tag Friday night.  Got up early yesterday morning and went over to moms. Walked down the closed road and went up into the ladder stand. As it got lighter deer were all over. I see a bunch both morning and evening. Three hours each setting that day. I could have shot a small 6pt and slick heads. Not in a hurry this was just the first day. Now we repeat this morning. As it got light more deer again all over. A couple nice ones running around offering no shots until this one wanders up the old road where I sit between an old overgrown pasture and the old, abandoned road. I lift the rifle and shoulder it then pull the trigger. The rifle barks and now I have added another deer to the rifle. It is Matt's turn now when he is ready to be the 4th Horn to carry on this rifles journey. I did allot of reflecting of the past family hunts this weekend while in the stand and when this deer hit the ground there were a few tears shed. It was a good thing. 

 

 

  It was nice to give Pat a call to come help me. We don't lift anymore and get creative with a rope and four-wheeler to load up. .

 

         Story over but I may have to do this again next year. 

 

[ness]

Wonderful story! So great to carry that tradition forward!

[jdmidwest]

Nice one Marty.

[BilletHead]

7 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

Nice one Marty.

          Thanks buddy. 

[fishinwrench]

That mod.94 looks to have had some custom stock work.  

They've always been my favorite Missouri deer rifle.   W/stock buckhorn sights 👍 

.30-30 is a better whitetail round than anybody gives it credit for.  Drops them in their tracks.  

[Quillback]

Good story Marty.  I had a 30-30 that belonged to my grandpa, never hunted with it and a few years ago gave it to my uncle who plans to pass it on to one of his kids.  

[Foghorn]

Awesome sharing your story and the tradition of your hunting. And another nice buck too!

[BilletHead]

10 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

That mod.94 looks to have had some custom stock work.  

They've always been my favorite Missouri deer rifle.   W/stock buckhorn sights 👍 

.30-30 is a better whitetail round than anybody gives it credit for.  Drops them in their tracks.  

            It's a Monte Carlo stock. Checkered even and burled. Winchester made them for this rifle some. I cannot see my Frugal grandfather spend extra money as an aftermarket purchase. It is a beautiful stock. I have a good friend who is a model 97 nut. He has owned and seen many. He made a trip up to the house to see this when I told him of it. He said this is the first one he has seen like this. 

   Have another grandpa gem some of you might like to see. When Grandma Margot passed, this was left to me in the will.  A colt peacemaker chambered in 32 WCF (32-20 WCF).  So here comes another grandpa story. First is very true the rest who knows. Grandpa was for a time a guide on tullibee lake in Minnesota. At one time he and Grandma ran a lodge with a bar and little store too. This was all on the part White earth Indian reservation.  One of those natives had a bill to pay and no money to just do that. He brought this pistol in to pay that bill. Grandpa had a unique relationship with some of these peoples. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. So, when the walleye spawned up the creeks the natives would go and spear them. This he did not like. He also said the government built them nice houses and in the cold of the winter the natives would tear apart the house from the inside to get to the 2X4s and burn in fireplace to keep warm. Take that for what it is worth another grandpa story.  This pistol has six filed notches in on the handle and said he was told it was wolves shot. Again, another story. Pretty cool though.  We have been blessed with family friends. One in particular was a very talented with Cherokee blood. Guy could do anything and do it well. As a young teen my father, mother and I took a silversmithing class from him in Southern California when we lived there. I have a couple things somewhere here I made. After we moved to Missouri his family followed a few years after. When he found out I had this pistol he asked to see it. Told me it deserved a good belt and holster. Can I borrow this pistol and lake you one? I said how much. He responded Marty we will talk about this later. It wasn't a couple months later he gave the completed project back. Oh My gosh. After seeing it was amazing work. I again asked how much. He said I just wanted to touch this pistol so nothing for payment. I put the belted holster on. My first thought was Marty Robbins gunfighter ballads.  So, you all want pictures? 

   Like I always say.  I have lived a blessed life despite it's up and downs. 

[ness]

These are very cool stories, Marty! Have you ever considered writing them (and others) down for your kids and grandkids and beyond?

My sister and I have done pretty extensive genealogy research. I did video interviews with my dad and aunts (mom's sisters) before they passed. My sister's loaded with stories. I kid her that she remembers everything, even things that didn't happen  When we get together we always remember different things. But... I feel like we need to get it all written down. I've started a couple times but haven't gotten too far.  

As for guns, my brother and I got several from my dad and they're real treasures. I've got them earmarked for my boys but also possibly for a grand nephew. He's not on the official list at this point -- I need to talk to the parents and see what they think. 

The oldest is a Montgomery Wards SxS .410. First gun my dad got, first gun I shot, and first gun my kids shot. Would be c. 1930 or so.

[fishinwrench]

Y'all be sure to heavily insure those heirloom guns !  

I had my dad & grandad's guns, and they all got busted to pieces and barrels bent in the tornado, including the beautiful gun cabinet that was from my dad.  

I was "insured" but I wasn't insured enough.   😢. Gone forever. 😭