Interesting find, [part II]
waynedevore
4/12/07 9:12pm
Being an old bone hunter I spend a lot of time walking around looking for things, and every once in a while I find something. [Probably why I've never got the trophy class Muley] To much looking at the ground.
This does have a lot to do with Muley hunting, because I found this old rifle while on a combination deer and antelope hunt in North Central Montana.
I saw what looked like a rusty piece of metal, so looking closer, and scraping around in the packed gumbo I dug out what was left of a old rifle. One spent cartridge, a gold ring right next to the rifle. The rifle is cocked with a live round in the chamber. There were also a couple silver medallions.
There were two 3 ft boulders to each side of a slight depression, the rifle was at the bottom of the depression.
I've had a lot of time to think about what the story is behind this and I have a theory
I would like to hear what everyone thinks might have happened. See if someone has the same thoughts as me.
It has a octagon barrel and lever action. Near as I can tell from looking at pictures, it's a 1860's Henry Rifle.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/mnmt123/P1010050.jpg " alt="" />
This does have a lot to do with Muley hunting, because I found this old rifle while on a combination deer and antelope hunt in North Central Montana.
I saw what looked like a rusty piece of metal, so looking closer, and scraping around in the packed gumbo I dug out what was left of a old rifle. One spent cartridge, a gold ring right next to the rifle. The rifle is cocked with a live round in the chamber. There were also a couple silver medallions.
There were two 3 ft boulders to each side of a slight depression, the rifle was at the bottom of the depression.
I've had a lot of time to think about what the story is behind this and I have a theory
I would like to hear what everyone thinks might have happened. See if someone has the same thoughts as me.
It has a octagon barrel and lever action. Near as I can tell from looking at pictures, it's a 1860's Henry Rifle.
9,336
The first thing that I thought of was some settler, trapper, etc that got into a scrape with one of the many tribes that roamed that region (Blackfoot maybe?) and came out on the loosing end. Of course, this is strickly speculation and probably a bi-product of too many Louis L'amour novels but it's cool to think of all the possibilities.
You know, it wasn't uncommon for folks roaming those hills in the early days to keep a ready firearm stashed in a place or two in the event that they had to "run" at the last minute too. That doesn't explain the ring and silver but just a thought.
He was obviously showing his skills off to his friends by shooting bullets through his ring and winning medallions for doing so when he was called home to dinner and left the evidence behind so he would not have to tell his wife that he was shooting at his wedding ring again?
Yeah there were griz in the area in the 1860's, lots of angry Indians, and still millions of buffalo.
Lot's of good comments, let's hear more. :what-do-u-think
Maybe he was buried in between the two rocks and covered with dirt.
Or maybe he was hit and wounded and crawled in between the rocks for safety from further injury, only to die there and not make it out.
Maybe the weapon etc., was stolen and hid there to never be found again until you discoverd it.
Did you escavate further to look for further items?
Think the Indians must have got him myself.
Ready for my thoughts on what happened? :what-do-u-think
OF COURSE i WOULD LOVE TO HEAR.
Soon please. [-o<
Not a Griz, the round in the chamber would have been fired. I believe the hunter would have got off the last shot. I found the ring right next to the rifle, so I'm sure he died clutching the gun.
This is what I think is the story. :-k
About 1870;
A lone Buffalo hunter in pursuit of the last of the great herds was attacked by a small group of Indians. Maybe Blackfeet or a marauding band from Canada. They were mostly after the hunters horses and supplies but especially that lever action rifle. There were a few around and would be strong medicine in the war against the Blue coats.
The Indians took the horses and supplies with little trouble wounding the white man with what would be fatal. The hunter abandoned the horses to seek cover by the boulders. The Indians tried several times to approach the hunter but each time with expert marksmanship wounded or killing one or two. The Indians not being foolish knew the risk to be to great, then left the area to tend to their dead or wounded.
How :lame is that :-k
Ultimately, it's all conjecture...but it's a lot of fun thinking about what "might" have happened.
he was out hiking around looking for sheds.....
when he slipped and got his hand stuck in between two rocks!
after days of pain and drinking urine he tried to cut off his arm, but alas, the blade was too dull and he died!
You know about 99% of all Western history is lost. Few explorers and hunters kept journals. Or could even write for that matter. Those that could write could not keep paper dry or preserved for often years at a time and records were lost. So we can only theorize on the facts we know or can imagine. :thumb