[MemphisJim1]

From 1948 to 1952, my Dad was Winchester-Western's rep for Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas. The 3d bedroom of our Phoenix GI Bill tract house was the "safe" room for at least one, usually 2 or 3, of everything Winchester made in those years and the ammunition for all the demonstrators. When my brother and I were 5 and 6, respectively, Dad cut down the stocks and barrels for two Models 47 that became our first "owned" firearms as Christmas presents in 1949. Amazingly enough, brother and I still have them in our collections. Every year I go off to the range alone and spend some time shooting it and Dad's 1955 Model 70 Featherweight (.308 Win) while recflecting on the "good ole days." My favorites from the vintage were Models 61 (long since gone from Dad's collection) and 63 (which he hasn't consented to surrender to my custody--yet; after all, he's only 88).