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Post by HighCotton on Aug 27, 2023 14:05:58 GMT -5
My work journey last week ended in west Tennessee on Saturday. After a late evening on Friday, fitting pipe on an Ultrapure water system, I was asked a ton of questions by the project manager. It turned out that he had a home water softener that he was hesitant to install himself. Since we already had some good conversation about everything from hunting to fishing to motorcycles and racing, he knew of my interests. That's when he piped up with "I'll give you a rifle for your thoughts and your help." So, I stopped by his place early Saturday morning. Since I had everything I needed, I went ahead and plumbed in the system and programmed the softener. Satisfied, he gave me this old rifle, a vintage Winchester Moel 69A. With some recent moves he said he and his Dad had misplaced the bolt and the rear sight. He thinks he'll be able to find them once all the boxes are unpacked and provided he finds the bolt and sight he will send them to me. And he threw in an old knife, of which I find no markings. So the saga continues! When, if ever will I see the bolt and sight!?!? Actually, he seems like a really good guy and we hit it off just fine from the getgo! Here's hoping for the best!
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Post by duff on Aug 27, 2023 14:12:11 GMT -5
I like that knife. Sucker for a good blade. Good trade
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 27, 2023 14:19:12 GMT -5
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 27, 2023 14:20:01 GMT -5
I like that knife. Sucker for a good blade. Good trade Old knife for sure, but what are the notches in the blade.
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 27, 2023 14:27:13 GMT -5
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Post by duff on Aug 27, 2023 14:44:36 GMT -5
I like that knife. Sucker for a good blade. Good trade Old knife for sure, but what are the notches in the blade. Looks purpose driven but no idea why.
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Post by HighCotton on Aug 27, 2023 17:34:36 GMT -5
For reference, I set a ruler against it, to give a better idea on the knife: I have no idea on the knife's origin or maker. And no clue as to the "notch" near the handle. Open to any feedback and insight.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Aug 27, 2023 17:48:47 GMT -5
Almost looks like a can opener.
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Post by jtkelly on Aug 27, 2023 21:32:48 GMT -5
For reference, I set a ruler against it, to give a better idea on the knife: I have no idea on the knife's origin or maker. And no clue as to the "notch" near the handle. Open to any feedback and insight. That looks like "trade" knife. May be a kit or something like that. They are often sold at Muzzle loading rendezvous. Mix and match unfiniished blades and stocks a lot of times. You'll see a lot of them with those notches of different styles cut in to the blade "blanks". OR may be it is a 200 year old trade knife use to seal the deal on the 12 o'clock like treaty between blood brothers and handed down from heir to heir until the provenance was lost with the last of the tribe.
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Post by jtkelly on Aug 27, 2023 22:00:19 GMT -5
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Post by esshup on Aug 27, 2023 22:05:59 GMT -5
Hopefully you will get a call that they found the bolt. If not, part it out.
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Post by HighCotton on Aug 28, 2023 8:27:15 GMT -5
I forgot to add a pic. It did come with the "Winchester" 5 round magazine. No small deal since they seem to sell for $50 or more!
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Post by boman on Aug 28, 2023 9:22:49 GMT -5
highcotton, if you have to go in search of a bolt, check ebay, pricy but often show up there. Also, The 69A and 75 are the same ie will interchange if you cant find a 69a bolt. The 75 bolt always had the serial number etched on it, while the 69A didn't come with numbers. The knife is a modern reproduction of a French Trade knife.
Steve
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Post by HighCotton on Aug 28, 2023 10:51:55 GMT -5
highcotton, if you have to go in search of a bolt, check ebay, pricy but often show up there. Also, The 69A and 75 are the same ie will interchange if you cant find a 69a bolt. The 75 bolt always had the serial number etched on it, while the 69A didn't come with numbers. The knife is a modern reproduction of a French Trade knife. Steve Thank you Steve! Great info! Curious though, any idea what purpose that “notch/cutout” near the handle serves?
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Post by boman on Aug 28, 2023 16:12:49 GMT -5
highcotton, if you have to go in search of a bolt, check ebay, pricy but often show up there. Also, The 69A and 75 are the same ie will interchange if you cant find a 69a bolt. The 75 bolt always had the serial number etched on it, while the 69A didn't come with numbers. The knife is a modern reproduction of a French Trade knife. Steve Thank you Steve! Great info! Curious though, any idea what purpose that “notch/cutout” near the handle serves? I've always chalked the notch up to decoration. some guys speculate it was used to strip sinew, provide a convenient stop for sharpening or keep the blood from running down onto the hand-LOL. I've heard it called or referred to as "sinew notch" or "spanish notch". It's a nice looking knife although the blade is off a little in shape from most patterns listed in artifact books related to the early fur trade but appears to be made by a "bladesmith" and not a mass produced one such as Track of the Wolf or Crazy Crow carries. Steve
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Post by HighCotton on Aug 28, 2023 16:31:38 GMT -5
Thank you Steve! Great info! Curious though, any idea what purpose that “notch/cutout” near the handle serves? I've always chalked the notch up to decoration. some guys speculate it was used to strip sinew, provide a convenient stop for sharpening or keep the blood from running down onto the hand-LOL. I've heard it called or referred to as "sinew notch" or "spanish notch". It's a nice looking knife although the blade is off a little in shape from most patterns listed in artifact books related to the early fur trade but appears to be made by a "bladesmith" and not a mass produced one such as Track of the Wolf or Crazy Crow carries. Steve Very cool. Thanks for the input. And FWIW, the blade on this knife is super dull. That kind of surprised me a bit!
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Post by duff on Aug 28, 2023 17:16:26 GMT -5
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Post by HighCotton on Sept 1, 2023 17:45:35 GMT -5
I got a call today. My Tennessee buddy found the bolt and rear sight. They are heading out on a little family trip to Michigan tomorrow so we’re looking to meet up in the next few days. Not sure when or where yet! But, I’m pretty jacked that he found them!
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Post by Woody Williams on Sept 1, 2023 20:19:32 GMT -5
I got a call today. My Tennessee buddy found the bolt and rear sight. They are heading out on a little family trip to Michigan tomorrow so we’re looking to meet up in the next few days. Not sure when or where yet! But, I’m pretty jacked that he found them! That’s great news! Now it’s a complete gun. Let us know how it works out in the range
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Post by Ahawkeye on Sept 2, 2023 19:41:16 GMT -5
That knife looks like it once belonged to Hatchet Jack!
I kid of course but I am always amused by the guns you come across and your reconditioning of them!
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