Gun Digest

EVOLUTION OF THE LEVER-ACTION

Amythos has evolved around the lever-action rifle that it’s as American as apple pie and baseball. Why wouldn’t it be? Nearly every silver screen hero and villain—from John Wayne to Clint Eastwood—has worked one to supreme effect. Hell, those of certain vintage will remember the TV show, The Rifleman, which starred—next to Chuck Connors, that is—a large-loop Winchester Model 1892. Legend-building such as that is bound to leave an impression, although the notion is as phantasmic as movie house flickerings.

Unfortunately, the concept of this All-American gun was booted around the dusty cobbles of gunsmith shops nearly 200 years before Tyler Henry set brass to steel. Fair enough—the Lorenzoni Repeating Pistol of the late-17 century and German Lagatz Rifle of the early-18 century were as rare as baths were in those days. Paucity makes them forgettable. Nevertheless, all the pieces were there—from lever to magazine—to give these arms fair claim to the mantle of the first lever-action. So, to the chagrin of many, our icon has

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Gun Digest

Gun Digest4 min read
Is Bullet Building Still Worth It?
I was checking the availability of a particular powder that my .300 Winchester Magnum enjoys very much, when I did a double take. While available, the price was $69.99 per pound. Reeling from the dramatic price increase, I turned to my wife, opened m
Gun Digest1 min read
Gun Digest
CARIBOU MEDIA GROUP PUBLISHER JIM SCHLENDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LUKE HARTLE MANAGING EDITOR LAURA PELTAKIAN ONLINE EDITOR ELWOOD SHELTON BOOKS EDITOR COREY GRAFF SR. ART DIRECTOR GENE COO ART DIRECTOR KATIA SVERDLOVA COLUMNISTS FRANK GALLI, RICHARD MANN,
Gun Digest2 min read
.30-378 Weatherby
The .30-378 Weatherby Magnum is the .378 Weatherby Magnum case necked to .30 caliber. It was created by Roy Weatherby in the 1950s, upon request by the U.S.government, which wanted to determine how well various types of armor plating stood up to pene

Related