Well it has been a process but after 4 times listed on Gun Broker I sold a family heirloom. With my sons passing in 1987 I have no relative to pass things on to and even as hard as it was to let go of the gun I wanted someone to have it that would appreciate its heritage. Plus I got $1100 for it so that eases the pain a bit.
I am auctioning my personal 351 Winchester 1907 manufactured in 1917. This gun was handed down to me by my Grandfather of Cherokee heritage and as a young man lived in Muskogee OK. He rode horses on the reservation and hunted with members of the Cherokee Nation with this gun. Later he carried it to McAllen TX where he lived for 50 years till his death where he hunted with some notorious characters, making their way to Mexico to avoid US Lawmen. Not verified but was told he purchased the gun for hunting at the Reservation run store. I last shot the gun in 1972 just after leaving the Air Force and a tour in Vietnam. It was cleaned and put up, only taking it out to show people and to be cleaned.
Bill, here is some history on Frank Barthel, please note that in the box with the gun will be the pictures, a copy of some history I got a long time ago and a copy of his deeded Cherokee Nation Land.. If I find more I will be sure to send along to you and/or email you the information. Yes my first name was taken from him, he always called me Pancho (Frank in Spanish)
Mr. Frank Barthel Jr of Muskogee OK born 20 Dec 1893 and died 1982 in McAllen TX. His family are direct descendent's of John Ross, Chief of the Cherokee nation that led them from their homelands in the East to Oklahoma. He was in the paint contracting business with his Brothers, after a disagreement about business he moved to McAllen Texas and began his own business. Always the hunter and fisherman he also raised greyhounds for hunting and chasing the jack rabbits and coyotes of S Tx. I am including in the sale of the 351 a variety of pictures, one of a deer he took with the 351, Also a copy of some birth and death records of his family and a copy of the deed issued to him of land in the Cherokee Nation.
The 351 will be sold with 1-5 round magazine and 2-10 round magazine (1 10 rd is original to the gun), along with the 3 50 round boxes of .351 ammo in their original boxes. (Winchester,180 grain, full patch, K3524C) Winchester Model 07 NON-Police Rifle semi-auto rifle chambered for the .351 WSL (Winchester Self Loading) cartridge. Features a 20" Winchester Proof Steel round barrel, 5-10-10(3 mags) detachable box magazine, plain Walnut stock w compass insert, original not cracked butt plate, finger actuated front charging handle and is hammerless and has take down ability. Manufactured in 1917 by Winchester, New Haven, Conn.,it has a Serial Number 38006 of approximately 58,733 +/- total produced.
