Much of the pleasure in owning an old gun is in the memories it evokes of past hunts, days afield with Dad or Grandpa, or the historical era in which it was made. When buying a used rifle off the rack we seldom know who may have owned it or its particular history. But it is fun to imagine the game it may have seen, the places it has been and the tales it may have heard around many campfires. It is also rewarding to tinker with old rifles, removing the grime of years, curing the ills of old age, getting them zeroed, developing good loads that work, and putting them back to work in the deer woods. This rifle found in a local shop is a great example. The “H” letter code preceding its serial number indicates this Marlin 336 Sporter in .35 Remington was built in 1951. Its El Paso, Texas manufacture K2.5 Weaver scope and E.C. Herkner Co., Boise, ID “Echo” side mount are of the same period. The rifle is in 90 percent condition, having been lovingly cared for and apparently used little. If only it could talk? If anyone reading this has their own tales to tell about a .35 Remington Marlin, let's please hear them. If you have some other “fireside favorite,” either rifle or handgun, which either tells a story or makes you contemplate what might have been, please post pictures and share the eye candy! Fouling Shot Editor Glenn Latham and I were recently discussing ideas to encourage members to submit articles for The Fouling Shot. My favorite articles in the Gun Digest for years have been reader submissions under the category “One Good Gun.” So as not to steal their familiar tag line, “Fireside Favorites” will be ours. The concept will be similar, but with the emphasis, of course, on using cast bullets! So go to your hunting camp closet, pick your fireside favorite, and tell us about yours.
73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia
