My oldest rifle would be my George Gibb's farky, made in the mid 1880's. I think a few sportsmen may have had a lust for the old days even in 1906. Though my bet is it was a small minority of shooters who held on to these antiquated ideas, similar to todays shooters. It is the rare guy who would rather hunt hard and get in close and do it the old fashioned way. We are lucky to have many folks who understand the value of this experience on our board. Most modern guys preffer to shoot the newest synthetic stocked weatherby magnum, or what ever whizz bang gimmick is being sold by the hunting magizines. I think many old rifles are now in the hands of people who treasure them, and do understand the value they hold. I love hunting with old technology......and black powder, now that is fun. I know of one very fine Westly Richards 8 bore rifle, base fire I believe, manufactured in the 1860's. Oh the stories it could tell. I have a few other vintage rifles, a westly falling block that is comming up on its centenial. Hmmmm where do you take a best quality rifle to celibrate its 100 year birthday? I may have to give deep consideration to my quandry.....it sure is tough having to plan another hunt. Redstag? The Dark continent? so many options.
Steve