America’s Lever Revolution

Above, lever-action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Did you know that there is one type of firearm that is distinctly American? 

This means that it was totally an American invention in the nineteenth century. That invention was the lever-action rifle.

The NRA's American Rifleman website an article on this yesterday. 

It begins with:

America is known across the world as a nation of gun owners, but only one firearm action has the distinction of being uniquely American: the lever-action.

This year, we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country, not only as a world bastion of freedom, but as a nation of riflemen. But unlike the flintlock, percussion rifle and many other firearm actions we inherited and then improved upon, the lever-action is a distinctly American innovation. The motivating force behind its creation was the need for more firepower, or more specifically, the need for more reliable firepower, superseding earlier multiple-barrel and swivel-breech attempts.

To read more, go here. 

The Guns That Made America’s Most Notorious Outlaws So Dangerous

Above, the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For some reason, Americans have been fascinated by outlaws such as Billy the Kid, Bonnie & Clyde, John Dillinger, Jesse James and others. There's even a Billy the Kid museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. I visited it two years ago.

There is also a fascination over the weapons they used, be it a rifle, shotgun or pistol. 

AOL posted an article on guns that made notorious outlaws so dangerous. 

It begins with:

America’s outlaw era has always carried a strange mix of history, violence, folklore, and fascination. While the crimes themselves were brutal and often devastating, figures like Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, John Dillinger, and Machine Gun Kelly became closely linked to the weapons they carried. Their guns were not just tools used during robberies, shootouts, and escapes. They became part of the larger mythology that turned criminals into notorious names in American history.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most infamous outlaws in U.S. history and the firearms most associated with them. From revolvers and lever-action rifles of the Old West to the Tommy guns and automatic weapons of the Prohibition era, these firearms help explain how each outlaw operated, why they became so feared, and how changing weapons technology shaped crime and law enforcement across different eras.

To read more, go here. 

Guns Used by America’s Most Notorious Outlaws

Above, the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a little something for you crime and history buffs.

It is a collection of guns used by America's most notorious outlaws. AOL posted 15 of them.

They start with:

One of America’s best-known obsessions is guns. Even though gun crimes are horrible, there have been moments in time when famous outlaws gained massive public attention, and many of them were closely associated with a particular firearm used in their crime sprees. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most famous outlaws and the guns they used.

To read more, go here. 

4 Iconic Guns That Made Billy the Kid a LEGEND

Above, a Winchester 1873 once owned by Billy the Kid
at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2024, I took a little trip to Fort Sumner, New Mexico to see the Billy the Kid Museum. 

It was a museum with plenty of historical items besides those of Billy the Kid. I highly recommend a visit.

I also visited Billy's gravesite. 

Here is a video on the guns used by Billy the Kid by Clean Caliber.  

Summary: 

Billy the Kid became more than an outlaw—he became an idea wired into metal. In a brief, violent arc through New Mexico, he moved with pistols, carbines and shotguns that together wrote the story people still read today. We’ll follow four weapons closely tied to his life, and stay to see which one sold for over $6 million.

 

Guns Every Smart Investor Should Know

Above, a Winchester 1873 rifle once owned by Billy the Kid on display at the
 Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People collect just about anything. 

Whether it is coins, tapestries, toys, furniture, political memorabilia or other items, collectors will seek out items that may be worth investing in.

This also goes for guns.

Collectors look for rare and vintage firearms at estates sales, auctions, classified ads and even pawn shops.

AOL has posted an article on guns that every smart investor should know.

They begin it with:

Your grandfather’s old service pistol from the war, carefully wrapped in cloth and stored with reverence, might have seemed like mere family memorabilia. More central to this article, that piece could be worth far more than anyone realized at the time.

The most expensive vintage gun ever auctioned, a single-action army Colt revolver owned by Pat Garrett, which was used to kill the outlaw Billy the Kid, sold for $6.03 million in 2021. While not every historical firearm will reach such astronomical heights, the vintage gun market has quietly become one of the most intriguing alternative investment sectors for those who appreciate both history and financial growth.

Historical firearms collecting isn’t just about nostalgia, though there’s plenty of that for those who grew up watching Westerns and war movies. It’s about recognizing that these pieces of American and world history can serve as tangible assets that often outperform traditional investments. The value of a historical firearm depends on several key factors: rarity, condition, provenance, and historical significance. When these elements align, the appreciation potential can be remarkable.

Disclaimer: Before considering any firearm investment, thorough research into local and federal regulations is essential. Market fluctuations can affect values, and proper legal compliance is non-negotiable.

To read more, go here. 

Book: "Billy the Kid, His Real Name Was..."

Above, the grave of Billy the Kid. Or is it? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, I paid a visit to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Fort Sumner is famous as where outlaw Billy the Kid met his end at the hands of Pat Garrett and is buried there. 

Or was he?

I came across a book by Jim Johnson titled, "Billy the Kid, His Real Name Was..." 

Here's the Barnes & Noble summary:

He was gunned down at the tender age of twenty- or was he? You've probably heard the legend of William H. Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid, at one time or another. Most folks have. But when it comes to the Kid, few things are completely certain - not his real name, not his parents' names, not even where he was born or just how many people he killed. Sheriff Pat Garrett is commonly credited with killing Billy. He even wrote a wildly popular and somewhat sensational book about it. But there are many scholars who dispute the claim of this bartender and former buffalo hunter because the details of Garrett's story just don't add up. Add to this the fact that throughout the following decades old men from Mexico all the way to England were declaring themselves to be the real Billy the Kid, having cheated death that warm night in New Mexico. Among these many claimants, however, are two men with somewhat credible stories: John Miller and Brushy Bill. Both men seemed to be the right age, the right size, and had stories that certainly sounded authentic. But only one of these men could possibly be the real Billy the Kid. Author Jim Johnson has made an in-depth study of the outlaw's life, and presents here two very plausible accounts. Did Billy the Kid grow to be an old man, or was he killed by Pat Garrett? Read the evidence, and judge for yourself.

When I was in Fort Sumner, I visited Billy's grave and toured the Billy the Kid Museum. Was Billy actually buried there or was someone else (claimed to be Billy) buried there. The book sounds interesting enough. I just might get the book and see.

American Gun Culture: Be Rich, Be Frank

Above, several lever-action Winchesters on display at the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

In American gun culture, there are two kinds of people: plinkers (target range shooters) and hunter. I am in the former category.

Being an animal lover, I wouldn't go out and hunt for sport, but I understand the purpose of it and can't begrudge anyone who hunts.

I came across a story on one man's experience with his Winchester 94. It is a good read.

It was posted at AmmoLand yesterday and it begins with:

About 4 years ago, an online acquaintance I eventually knew In Real Life named “Rich” (last name withheld for his family’s anonymity) and I were chatting about firearms. He mentioned he had a Winchester Model 94 lever action in .30-30, octagonal barrel, takedown, open sights, that his Great Grandfather had bought new in Seattle in 1898. Rich had no heirs who would care to have it. So, we kinda agreed that if and when he ever considered disposing of it, that he would call me, as I live just 40 miles away.

Two years passed, and Rich called: “I have four kinds of cancer, and I’ll be out in about 3 months.” Tragic. He had had a fascinating and good life, a loving wife and daughter, a great place in the woods, a 1973 Ford F250 HiBoy in pristine condition … and a gun collection.

“How’d you like to come buy me out?” he said. “What all do you have?” I asked. He listed out about 22 firearms, including the Model 94. “That’s a few more than I can handle, but can I bring a relative and friend?”

To read more, go here. 

Winchester’s Lever Evolution: 165 Years and Counting

Above, Winchester 1894 lever-action rifles at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lever-action rifles have been around since the mid-1800s.

Several manufacturers over the years have produced them in American since that time. However, Winchester started it.

Sporting Classics Daily has posted an interesting article on evolution of Winchester's lever-action rifles.

It begins with:

Even though Americans invented—among other things—the electric light bulb, the microwave oven and (for better or worse) personal computers, as far as I’m concerned, one of our country’s greatest achievements has been the perfection of the lever-action rifle. Yes, even more than the Kentucky rifle (also an American invention), which gave our colonial defenders extended range combined with accuracy, it was the lever action that gave frontiersmen the added benefit of multi-shot firepower. And while other companies, such as Marlin and Savage eventually entered the lever-action competition, it was Winchester that started it all.

To read the full article, go here. 

MSN: The Best Lever Action Rifles

Above, lever action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid
Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

MSN posted what Joshua Clark of Fix It Homestead considers to be the best lever action rifles. 

There are 11 rifles profiled.

They begin with:

There’s something about a lever action rifle that just feels right—like you’re holding a piece of history that still gets the job done today. Whether you’re out hunting deer, looking for a reliable truck gun, or just like the feel of cycling that lever, these rifles keep proving their worth. They’re fast, dependable, and more versatile than a lot of folks give them credit for.

Here’s a solid lineup of lever guns that have earned their place in the safe—and probably a spot in the truck too.

To see what rifles made the best list, go here.

The Best Lever Action Rifles of 2025

Above, a collection of classic lever-action rifles on display
 at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Originating in the 1800s, lever-action rifles have been around ever since. Some are classic old favorites. Some are new on the market. Regardless, lever guns are here to stay.

Field & Stream (Richard Mann) tested and reviewed lever action rifles currently on the market and posted the best picks for 2025.

They begin with:

Most of the talk in the rifle world these days about bullets with high ballistic coefficients, high-magnification trajectory-compensating riflescopes, and rifles guaranteed to deliver one-hole groups. But while today's long-range practitioners argue about the best high-dollar tripod to shoot from, there are folks out there filling freezers and putting antlers on the wall with lever guns just like their grandad used to use. 

The lever-action rifle has evolved a fair bit over the last century, and with refined designs and modern ammunition, it's now more capable than ever. Maybe somewhat surprisingly, in the midst of today's long-rage craze, manufacturers are still introducing new lever-action rifles, and hunters are buying them up as fast as they hit gun-shop racks. There’s a wider variety of lever guns to choose from now than at any other time in recent memory. So, which one should you get? To help you with that, I've narrowed the field to a manageable number. Below are my picks for the nine best lever guns currently on the market.

To read more, go here. 

Lever Action Rifles You Should Own

Above, lever-action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid Museum
 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are current owners of lever-action rifles and would like to add to their collections or those who are just getting interested in them, Ammoland has posted a list of lever-action rifles you should own. 

They begin with:

From legendary Western films to the modern-day shooting range, lever-action rifles have remained a stalwart symbol of firearms evolution. Both collectors and users alike cherish these rifles for their unique operating mechanism and historic significance.

The Legacy of Lever-Actions

Lever-action rifles have been a fundamental part of firearms history, evoking emotions ranging from nostalgia to admiration. Their timeless appeal is undeniable, and their functionality remains unchallenged even in today’s modern era.

The legacy of lever-action rifles dates back to the mid-19th century, emerging as a revolutionary design in the world of firearms. With their distinctive lever mechanism, these rifles provided shooters with a rapid-fire capability unmatched by other contemporary firearms. This feature made them particularly popular among settlers and frontiersmen in the American West.

One of the earliest and most notable designs was the Henry rifle, a lever-action tubular magazine rifle recognized for its use at significant battles like the Battle of the Little Bighorn[4]. Benjamin Tyler Henry designed the original Henry, a sixteen-shot .44 caliber rimfire breech-loading lever-action rifle, in 1860. This rifle laid the groundwork for subsequent designs, including the iconic Winchester rifle series, which has been described as one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time[3].

Lever-actions have also found their way into popular culture, solidifying their position as symbols of the Wild West. They have prominently featured in Western films like “Monte Walsh” with Tom Selleck and “The Wild Bunch,” as well as in literature and folklore, which adds to their nostalgic value.

Despite the technological advancements in firearms, lever-action design has stood the test of time. Their simple yet effective mechanism remains appealing for hunting, sport shooting, and even self-defense. Modern manufacturers, such as Henry Repeating Arms, continue to produce these rifles, further cementing their place in firearms history[5].

To read more, go here. 

Family’s Winchester Rifle Has Been Dropping Deer For A Century

Above, two Winchester 1894 rifles at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a nice little human-interest story of a Winchester 1894 rifle that has been in one Wyoming family for a century.

It was posted by the Cowboy State Daily of Wyoming. 

It begins with:

When Bob Budd works the lever action on his model 1894 Winchester rifle, it runs as smoothly as it did a century ago. 

The worn metal and wood on the rifle tell the tale of countless hunting trips in Wyoming in all sorts of weather. Budd has no idea how many .25-35 Winchester cartridges have been fired in it, but it still shoots straight and true, he told Cowboy State Daily.

It's been in his family for about as long as Wyoming has been a state, for five generations. His grandfather and father killed their first deer with it, as did Budd and his two sons. 

So long as his family keeps taking good care of it, there’s no reason to think it won’t still be dropping deer a century from now. 

And for his family, it’s so much more than just a rifle, said Budd, who lives in Cheyenne, but has deep family roots in the Big Piney area. 

“I think it's a talisman. A rifle is a talisman for those of us who grew up in that culture,” he said. 

To read more, go here. 

Deer Hunting Lever Actions To Try

Above, Winchester lever-action rifles displayed at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lever-action rifles and deer hunting go hand-in-hand. If one is looking for a new deer rifle, there are many brands to choose from. 

That is the subject of an article posted by AOL titled, "Looking For A New Deer Rifle? Try These New Lever Actions".  Several of them have been around for decades.

They begin with:

The lever-action rifle is something of an anomaly when looking back through history. The American Civil War showed its efficacy as a fighting weapon, but it never truly saw widespread military use. Still, they persist as a fun way of shooting or hunting. Today, we’re looking at the best lever-action rifles around.

To read more, go here. 

10 Best-Selling Lever-Action Rifles In The U.S.

Above, lever-action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid Museum
in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lever-action rifles have made a big resurgence in popularity in recent years.

Companies such as Rossi, Smith & Wesson, Marlin (now owned by Sturm, Ruger & Co.) and others are manufacturing them to meet high demand. 

24/7 Wall St. has listed ten the best-selling lever-action rifles of today in the United States.

They begin with:

Designed in the United States over 170 years ago, the lever-action rifle is, perhaps, the most iconic American firearm. An offshoot of earlier prototypes, the Henry and Spencer lever-actions were the first successful, widely produced repeater rifles — and were used by some U.S. Army units as early as 1860. In the following decades, lever-action rifles were used across the Western frontier.

24/7 Wall St. Key Points:

• Lever-action rifles are perhaps the most iconic American firearm. 
• First gaining popularity over a century and a half ago, lever-action repeaters remain relevant today — and Americans have some clear preferences for certain makes and models.

To read more, go here.

The Lever-Action Rifles Are Back and Better Than Ever

Above, lever-action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've mentioned this before, but it seems that MSN is becoming more pro-gun. They have posted numerous articles and slideshows on them. 

They have posted another. This time, it is on lever-action rifles, saying they're back and better than ever.

This is a slideshow article. It begins with:

When you think about the lever-action rifle, it’s a weapon that dates back to when rifles first grew in popularity. Even so this rifle format wasn’t a hit for the US military to take advantage of, its popularity grew like wildfire as Americans explored both the wild frontier and the Wild West. It's in these two areas where these rifles proved their capabilities, which is why they are making a comeback once again.

To see the slideshow, go here.

2024: Not Bad

Above, during the horseback ride in Monument Valley.

Well, 2024 is just about wrapped up.

The year hasn't been bad for me. For one thing, nobody in the family has passed away, which is always a good thing.

Above, during a boat tour in Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Thus far, it has been a mild winter. Not much snow has fallen as of late. But there's always January and February. 

I managed to do some traveling. Two clampouts were attended. A cruise to the Bahamas was taken. Helped with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Half Marathon in Ridgway, Colorado. That was immediately followed by a trip to Monument Valley. A visit with ex-roomie Jessica in Des Moines, Iowa. That included a visit to the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in nearby Winterset. Christmas was spent with the Geriminskys in Lake Havasu. I also visited Fort Sumner, New Mexico and toured the Billy the Kid Museum and gravesite. I attended this year's G-FEST in Rosemont, Illinois (near Chicago). It was good to see everyone there.

Above, during a Jeep drive to McGaffey Lake in May.

Happily, the 2024 Election turned out the way I wanted. We even gained some ground in the New Mexico legislature during the election. That is certainly a plus!

Above. with the gang at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup.

What 2025 holds is anyone's guess, but I am optimistic.

I plan on staying home tonight. It is safer that way. 

Happy New Year!

Think Lever-Action Rifles Are Old News? Think Again

Above, a collection of lever-action rifles at the Billy the Kid
 Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

MSN seems to be pro-gun of late.

They have posted numerous gun-related articles. The latest is on lever-action rifles and how they fit in the the scheme of things in history.

It has a slideshow of rifles.

They begin with:

Any look back at the history of rifles in the United States will, at one point or another, lead to a discussion of the lever-action rifle. This unique firearm wasn’t ideal for military battles but was unquestionably a mainstay of the American frontier and Wild West. For millions of Americans, this rifle was introduced through the movies, which gave a sense of how these weapons worked best. 

To read more and see the slideshow, go here. 

By the way, women are leading the surge in gun ownership. Go here.

Summer 2024 Travel

Above, at Billy the Kid's grave in Fort Sumner in June.

Now that summer 2024 is over and done with, I can now look forward to the next few weeks of autumn and then winter. We tend to get early snows in autumn.

At least I made some good travel use out of the summer months.

In June, I headed to Fort Sumner to see the Billy the Kid Museum and gravesite. This was a camping trip in the motorhome. It was educational as well as fun.

Above, Jessica Tseang and I at G-FEST in July near Chicago.

In July, I headed to the Chicago area (by plane) for G-FEST, the annual Godzilla/kaiju convention by Daikaiju Enterprises. It was enjoyable and I got to see some friends for the first time since 2019.

In August, the cruise to the Bahamas was made with Norwegian Cruise Lines. I went with a friend I've known since junior high. We made several stops including Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. We jet skied at Great Stirrup Cay. I even managed to win $60 in roulette in the cruise ship's casino.  

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I in Nassau, Bahamas in August.

A camping trip to Ridgway, Colorado for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Grit Series marathons and Monument Valley, Utah closed out the summer. The Autumn Equinox arrived during the trip. I did some horseback riding in Monument Valley. That was the first horseback ride I took since 1974. That was fun. 

Above, horseback riding in Monument Valley in September.

Autumn travel, so far, will be for a clampout in Arizona with the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. Beyond that, I have no plans for autumn travel. But one never knows what may come up on the spur-of-the-moment.

Winchester 1894 Auctioned Over $2,600

 

Above, three Winchester 1894s on display at the Billy the Kid
Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A Winchester Model 1894 rifle was sold recently at auction over $2,600.

An article at Antiques and The Arts Weekly reported:

TIMONIUM, MD. — At Richard Opfer Auctioneering’s July 18 Eclectic Collector at The Forge auction, a Winchester 1894 rifle was the sale’s top lot, taking in $2,640 from a local, private gun enthusiast. The popular lever-action model was considered perfect for hunting in thick brush for deer, bear, wild hogs and other fast-moving game. A takedown Winchester Center Fire 30-30, this rifle came with a Lyman adjustable sight. It was a total of 44 inches in length with a 22-inch barrel.

A photo of the rifle shows that it was in excellent condition. Unfortunately, it did not mention the rifle's year of manufacture. That makes a lot of difference. 

Winchester 1894 rifles made before 1964, in general, command higher prices as their components are of higher quality. I have one made in 1962.

To read more and to see the photo, go here. 

Best Lever-Action Rifles of The Golden Age

Above, several lever-action rifles displayed at the Billy the Kid
Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lever-action rifles are making a comeback in popularity. The venerable lever-action rifles of yesteryear are in high demand in gun store used gun racks, some discontinued models are being reintroduced and new ones are being introduced by such companies as Smith & Wesson, Rossi and others.

If one is interested in obtaining a lever-action rifle, Field & Stream has posted a list of the five best lever-action rifles of 2023.

They begin it with:

Lever-action rifles are turning up by the scores in used-gun racks, their wooden stocks battered and once-blued steel worn silver. The grandfathers who used them are afield in happier hunting grounds, and the grandkids who would have gotten them either don’t hunt or prefer a precision bolt-action.

The time of the lever-action as America’s Number One Gun has passed.

But from 1861 to 1918—from the Civil War to World War I—we were a lever-gun nation. Lever-action rifles took us from the era of the muzzleloader to the modern bolt-gun. Nor have we forgotten that. There is still no shortage of people to whom “deer rifle” means “lever-action rifle.”

Cowboy Action shooters were behind Winchester’s re-introduction of the Model 1873 lever gun. Ruger just resurrected the Marlin Model 1895, and there are any number of custom shops who will build you a hot-rodded 1895 for a great deal of money. Lever-action rifles can shoot at long range, drop elephants, and print minute-of-angle groups. Doug Turnbull has transformed them into an art form with his magnificent restorations. And if you want an original lever gun, scars and all, you need only look to that used-gun rack.

The best lever-action rifles are neither gone nor forgotten. Here are the eight greatest models from the lever action’s Golden Age.

To read more, go here.