Why I want to build a Longrifle

[Uncle Alvah]

These are pictures of a Longrifle I owned some years ago, and the main reason I want to build one now, but certainly nothing on this scale! I sold the gun back in 1986 or so to help finance the purchase of a motorcycle. I figured if I sold the gun as opposed to taking the money from "household funds" my wife would not be AS angry about the bike as I figured she would be otherwise. Perhaps the best example of "Seemed like a good idea at the time" as I have ever personally generated. The man who owns it now is a friend, and he's looking to part with it, but its way out of my range.

It was built by Jim Tawney from Corning NY, .45 caaliber, 13/16 Bill Large barrel, Bob Roller lock and trigger.

This is my daughter Meaghan holding the rifle. She is 34 now....sigh...

 

[browndog]

when an opportunity comes to get back a good rifle that you have sold take it if you can. I often regret selling a rifle but many that I have sold have com home again after a 25 year absence and it feels good.
Regards Browndog

 

[jamesthomas]

I would ask him if I could put it on Layaway myself! Beautiful rifle :bow: .

 

[wattlebuster]

That's sure some fine looking curl to that rifle :thumbsup:

 

[petew]

You sold that?? Just wrong, just wrong. :nono: :shake:

 

[Claude Mathis]

I sold the gun back in 1986 or so to help finance the purchase of a motorcycle.

I hope is was a Harley? :wink:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Or something related like a Buell that converts fuel to speed rather than noise. :rotf:

Beautiful rifle. I've let many firearms go I should ought-a not. Oh, to be rich.

 

[Uncle Alvah]

It was a Harley, albeit just a bare bones Sportster. Was the "straw that broke the camels back" in the marriage and I lost it and a bunch of other stuff in the ensuing divorce. Those were some dark days. However the Lord works in mysterious ways, and now, many years later, I am as happy and as content as can be.....and who knows, I may find a way to get that particular rifle back and in the meantime, I will work at building a rifle myself!

 

[nchawkeye]

Beautiful gun!!!

 

[MSW]

that's one fine looking rifle!

 

[sleeperNY]

Jim made some beautiful rifles for sure. I used to see him at The Land Of The Senecas every year until his passing in the early 90's. Would be great if you could get that one back.

Jim

 

[Uncle Alvah]

I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but we did have a nice conversation on the phone once. Its been a long time but as I recall, he said he had originally built this rifle for his wife. I believe he said I was the third owner, the first had never shot the gun, the second had shot it on one occasion then never again. When I told him I shot it "all the time", he was pretty happy to hear that. Said he built it to be used and admired, not just admired. I bought it from Boulevard Gunshop, a little place in Endicott NY about 1980 for $900, a fair piece of change back then. Perhaps you have heard of the shop, run by a guy named Mike Petrozello?

 

[kopfjaeger]

If your friend would maybe he would let you buy it back on the payment plan. Like so much a month till it was paid off. Just a thought.

When me and my buddy Donny were kids he sold me his old single shot savage 12 gauge shotgun after about 30 years Donny wanted to buy it back because it was his first gun and his Dad bought it for him. I sold it back to him for what he sold it to me for. On September 12, 2012 my buddy Donny died of cancer and he was buried with that old savage single shot shotgun.

 

[sleeperNY]

I knew Mike well. I bought everything I used to build rifles back then from him. I was at his shop many times and even built a rifle for him for the store. I used to live in Owego as a boy and young man. I worked with my father in a radiator and auto body shop in the seventy's.

Jim

 

[Uncle Alvah]

Like as not we have crossed paths in there then. His shop was one of my favorite places to hang out in the evening, made a lot of visits there just for the company. He was one of a kind, thats for sure. I was visiting family in Endicott recently with my wife, who is from down here and I was showing her the sights. Made mention to her of Boulevard Gunshop when we went by the spot where it stood. Them old timers all gone now, sad to say. I remember Art Semetelli and Hugo Rotolo from there, and a big ol guy named "Smokey" but other names escape me.
Pleasant memories, thanks for prodding them up me!

 

[Uncle Alvah]

If your friend would maybe he would let you buy it back on the payment plan. Like so much a month till it was paid off. Just a thought.

Well, I've learned to never say never. The "glitch" is that its not actually for sale for cash, he likes to trade things for things, he's been that way for a long time, and being as its his gun, he obviously gets the say. He's a real good guy though, I've known him a long time. I might be able to come up with something yet.
The iron in the fire right now for me is about $3500 worth of dental work I'm scheduled to have in late August, and that has to be paid lump sum. Once thats out of the way, I can re-focus on other things. Like that rifle.... :wink:

 

[Col. Batguano]

Do traditional muzzle loader shooters have all their (own) teeth? I think not!

 

[nmdd]

Sure they do...bought and paid for with cash money I would guess.... :rotf:

 

[sleeperNY]

I knew all of them and shot with them at Windsor,NY every month from late spring to early fall. My wife and I were at the shop with our little Min Pin dog most of the time. Mike liked to give him jelly beans. Sandy had a fit and was always telling him to stop. Great times back then for sure, thanks for reminding me. Good luck with what ever you end up doing with the rifle.

Jim

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Very nice rifle, sweetheart of a daughter. It's amazing how fast they grow up.