Old gear

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WinchesteRalox

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Mar 26, 2018
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Who on here uses and collects antique and vintage outdoors gear? I hunt in vintage military surplus, my Winchester 94 is from the 50s. My Topper 58 shotgun by Richardson and Harrison in 20 gauge is from the 70s, I have a sears red plaid hunting suit the jacket is my favorite winter coat and it’s the one that gets worn the most, My turkey vest is a hand-me-down from my uncle from the 90s, my favorite hunting knife is a 1980 case leather washer handle M3 fin.
 
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Most of my hunting gear is less than 30 years old, but I do have a few older firearms that I still hunt with. They are all a match for anything made today. Classics get to be "classic" for a number of reasons..., not only age.
 
I have and use Silva compasses from the 1930s and '40s and stoves from '80s. Most everything else I take on the trail is modern as it is better and lighter.

I do have a deer rifle I had built on a M1903 Steyr Mannlicher Schaunauer action made in 1909, but the rifle as built isn't twenty years old.
 
I have finally stopped using my gear that I purchased in the late 60s
Up graded to gear that is a fraction of the weight for much better performance
 
There are some benefits to new gear. I use a modern Hammock some modern clothing like fleece and nylon, LED flash lites.
 
I prefer older knives, and rifles or shotguns that are blued with wooden stocks. Some character always seems more appealing to me. The oldest rifle I’ve used in the recent past is a Winchester model 71 in .348 Win, made in 1952 with a peep sight. When I carry it I try to imagine the simpler times when life wasn’t so busy and convoluted with the crud that we see today. I do like the modern conveniences I have available but it’d be fun to spend my vacation time going back in time...
 
For deer hunting, I use a Winchester 94 in .32 WSP made in 1907. My hunting jacket is a Johnson Woolens coat made in the 30s.

My range gun is a Swedish Mauser (Carl Gustav) made in 1912. It will shoot 3-shot sub-1" groups at 100yds if I do my part. Still working on 200yd off hand though. ;^)

My "new" backpack is an 80s vintage Kelty Yukon with new belt and straps. I'll never go back to an internal frame pack for general backpacking. I can't believe I waited so long to give externals a real try and I'll never go back.

My favorite stoves are a Trangia and a Svea 123. I'd bet my life on the Svea.

I still have and ski on backcountry skis from the 70s and 80s, including a pair of Kazama Mt. Highs.

But then, there other bits of gear where new is better. I've retired the Norwegian welted touring boots for modern combi-boots with skate style plastic cuffs. Great improvement for touring boots. For hiking, newer boots are just so amazingly light.

Old pack. Sort of old tent. Sort of newish touring skis. Mt. Chocura in the background.
Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
When I was a kid I wanted one of those Kelty’s So bad!! Grass cutting and haying money just wasn’t enough to get one. Or perhaps I wasn’t disciplined enough to save for ito_O
 
My Dad gave me a plaid Woolrich coat to me for Christmas when I was about 14. Size 40. It was too big for me then. But I have gotten larger. It weathered the years very well and looked essentially brand new being 40 years old. Gave it to Goodwill this past year to get it out of the closet. In the back of my mind, I would like to replace it.... but frankly I'm more comfortable with the outdoor wear I have now rather than one of those heavy wool coats. I seldom wear real coats anymore other than hunting or hiking in the winter.... Around town, almost never wear a real coat and I have three or four to choose from in the closet.

My "deer rifle" is a Remington Model 700 BDL 270 with a Redfield scope on it. I bought it when I was in my teens. I didn't own any serious hiking equipment back in those days as I couldn't afford such things.
 
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