The mystery of the 132-year-old Winchester rifle found propped against a national park tree

Post ^ | 1/14/15 | Elahe Izadi

[NowApproachingMidnight]

Archaeologists conducting surveys in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park came upon a gun frozen in time: a .44-40 Winchester rifle manufactured in 1882. It was propped up against a juniper tree.

[Darksheare]

They will likely destroy it as they are terrified of even nonworking relics left in the elements for decades.

[IronJack]

Oh, so THAT’S where I left it ...

[samtheman]

interesting

[yldstrk]

Is the orange tape 137 years old too? I am betting someone either ditched it or left it when they were frightened away from their marijuana field....

[Alex Murphy]

Is the orange tape seen around the stock 132 years old, too?

[Alex Murphy]

LOL! You beat me to it by FIVE SECONDS!

[Boogieman]

No, the orange tape was put on there to make sure the wood stock didn’t fall out when they picked the thing up.

[DJ MacWoW]

Donate And Keep The Lights On

[babble-on]

they applied the tape because they were worried the weathered stock might fall off in transit to its new home.

This was a remote location where it was found, increasing the odds that this really was out in the middle of nowhere for a century or more.

[SampleMan]

I wonder how many people that rifle killed while it was left unattended all this time?

Seriously though, that metal is in remarkable condition compared to the wood. By the metal I’d say it had been out there 6 months. The wood looks like its been there 30 years or more.

[Paladin2]

It was in a Twilight Zone episode I saw a couple of times.

[Lee'sGhost]

Looking at the pictures, I think there is little doubt that it has been sitting there for decades.

[yldstrk]

Which part?

[freepersup]

The orange tape came off of a roll that can be seen at the bottom of the image. It’s helping to keep the stock together for transport elsewhere.

[MaxMax]

No tape in the original picture. They placed it on the stock to preserve the
integrity of the wood. I'm assuming you knew that.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3246956/posts

[freedomlover]

I wonder how many people that rifle killed while it was left unattended all this time?

---

It already hurt the guy on the right. Note the bandaged hand.
That rifle needs to be immediately destroyed.

[Paladin2]

Has the BATFE been alerted?

[Paladin2]

Deluxe checkering...

[Blood of Tyrants]

Beat me to it.;^)