"If only these guns could talk..."-Gary Asproth

When the eighth edition of the Chinook Gun and Antique Show opens in early October Gary Asproth, from Park Rapids, Minnesota, will be making his second appearance as an exhibitor at the annual show. In a recent phone interview Asproth said he'll be displaying two "historic Winchester rifles, one belonging to Teddy Roosevelt (26th President of the U.S. and an avid big game hunter) and the other to Buffalo Bill Cody (a buffalo hunter and showman who spread the idea of the Old West through several live, traveling shows)."

Gary Asproth describes himself as "a collector of historic guns, Western artifacts and stories about hunting." He said, "I've cut back on the number of gun shows I attend (from about 50 to 20 a year). I've started attending shows in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, especially in the winter, in addition to midwestern shows." He enjoys visiting gun shows and related events "to meet and visit with people who share a love of the old West, hunting and history."

Catching the "bug for collecting"

Asproth grew up in northern Minnesota. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and retired from the Air Force as a B-1 Bomber Flight Chief after a 24-year career. During part of his military service he was stationed in Great Falls and has hunted many areas in central Montana, including trips to the area around Chinook.

Asked how he got interested in guns and collecting, he explained, "I've always enjoyed hunting and hunted with many of the older style hunting rifles. When I was about 10 years old my dad took me to a gun show. An exhibitor, who had some Western artifacts, let me hold the skull of a famous outlaw. There was something about that experience that got me thinking about and interested in Western history. I've been pursuing it ever since." And his interest is not all about guns, adding, "I have a watercolor at home by Charlie Russell called "Cook's Revenge." It's one of my favorite items as it shows a scene that truly reflects the spirit of the Old West, painted by America's premier Western artist."

Winchester rifles owned by two icons of the Old American West will be displayed

Twenty-five years ago Asproth bought an 1873 Winchester 38-40 from a collector out of Pennsylvania. A Kansas-based collector asked Asproth where he got the gun. The collector told Asproth the gun came from the 101 Ranch. In an interview in the Lewistown newspaper, Asproth related, "The 101 Ranch is known for the Miller Brothers' Wild West Show." Buffalo Bill joined the Miller brothers' show after his own Wild West entertainment company completed a 30-year run. The Millers' show, along with vaudeville and other entertainment venues, succumbed to fallout from the Great Depression in the early 1930's.

Asproth has a photo of Buffalo Bill holding an 1873 model rifle during his time with the Millers' show and believes it could be the one that will be displayed in Chinook. The gun has an engraved buffalo on it. Asproth added, "When you think of the West, you think of the buffalo herds and Buffalo Bill.

What would you expect to be on an 1873 Winchester but a buffalo?"

The rifle attributed to Teddy Roosevelt is a more recent acquisition by Asproth. The rifle has a definite connection to north central Montana as well. In 2017 Asproth bought the rifle at an estate auction of Mickey Kane, who ranched in the Big Sandy area. The 1876 Winchester 45-60 rifle was one of about 40 guns sold from Kane's estate. In the sales brochure for the auction the rifle was described as "A great honest 1876 that's been on the Big Sandy ranch for many years."

Based on his research of serial numbers on similar guns, Asproth discovered the rifle from Kane's estate and a rifle being held by Roosevelt in a photo from the 1880's were made the same day. Asproth explained, "The serial number for the gun (now in a Medora, North Dakota museum) Roosevelt is holding in the picture is 38647 while the serial number for the one I got at the Kane auction is 38689. That proves they were made the same day."

From a Winchester letter accompanying the Kane rifle, Asproth found the delivery date of that gun was June 19, 1884, just 10 days after Roosevelt returned to his ranch in Medora. Both rifles (Asproth's and the one in the Roosevelt museum) have the same four panels of engraving-a buffalo, a bear, a bighorn sheep and an elk. Per Asproth, Roosevelt was a fan of Winchester rifles and would often buy one of this particular model as a gift for a friend or employee. Asproth believes the rifle he has was one purchased as a gift by Roosevelt for a foreman on the Medora Ranch.

Asked how the provenance (history of ownership) of guns is determined, Asproth said, "Well, it's pretty easy to establish when a gun was made if the serial number is still visible. Establishing who owned a particular gun, and when, is the tricky part. It's really luck if you figure that out."

About historic gun collectors

Asked about who collects historic guns, Asproth said, "Most collectors are guys in their 60's to 80's who hunted with the old guns. Younger collectors are in to the 'black guns' (generally newer guns, especially rifles, with enhanced capabilities). It's a club with dwindling numbers." He's still amazed that he found these two historic rifles and is honored to be able to show them to fellow gun lovers. "If these guns could talk, wouldn't you love to hear the stories they'd tell?" After talking with Gary Asproth, it's easy to understand why he's so enthusiastic about visiting Chinook to show and talk about the rifles.

The Chinook Gun and Antique show will be held at the Blaine County Fairground's Commercial Building beginning Friday, October 2 and running through mid-Sunday afternoon. The event is sponsored by the Chinook Rod and Gun Club. A one-time fee pays for admission to the show for all three days. About 25 exhibitors displaying on 80 tables will be offering guns and related items for sale. The public is welcome. Get more information by calling Keith at 357-3573.