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

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