New Gun Catalog Available Now!
February 2010

August 6, 2009

1st Annual TAPADERA AWARD

Okay, boys . . . finally . . . we sat down and updated our whole gun catalog. You’ll notice a slightly different look. Hope you enjoy the catalog and find a few that are of interest. We’ll be headed for the Big Reno Show soon, and hope to see you there.
Now, what about this Tapadera Award?
Here's how it all began: we were driving home to Winchester , Idaho, from the Winchester Arms Collector's Association annual gun show in Cody, Wyoming, last month, and chewing the fat over all the great guns we'd seen. Several of the shows we attend give out awards for special displays. We don't pay too much attention to the awards, since the ones we like best never seem to win. That's probably because we are unfamiliar with the criteria of the competition. But we do know what good, rare guns look like, and how special it is when a collector brings some for us to see, that we've never viewed before. We also know when an individual has made extra effort to educate, encourage or support gun collectors. These people are seldom given much recognition. So we came up with the almost yearly Tapadera Award. (Called "almost yearly," because if no one deserves it . . . no one gets it.) The guidelines would be simple: we will give it to an individual who demonstrates unselfish generosity in his or her contribution to the Winchester gun collecting community.
Selecting the first recipient was not difficult. This year one person shined above all others. The 1st Annual TAPADERA AWARD, is presented to ROGER QUISENBERRY after his 2,000+ mile trek to the Annual W.A.C.A. Gun Show in Cody, Wyoming, June 19 - 21, 2009, bringing one of the finest gun collections ever seen . . . for all of us to enjoy.
Roger brought more Volcanic pistols and rifles than we'd ever seen if you added our entire gun collecting experience up. He brought consecutive numbered iron from Henry's. Experimental Henry's (take down, loading gate, and other rarities.) He brought "One-of-a-Thousand" guns. Not to mention beautiful single action Colts (one fancy engraved one that belonged to Buffalo Bill himself). The collection was more detailed than that at the Cody museum, and you got to look at them a lot closer. There were dozens and dozens of guns that we will never get to see again.
Now, if you can imagine, Roger loaded them up in his car and drove by himself over 2,000+ miles just to let us seem them. That, boys, is the spirit of the TAPADERA AWARD. He didn't have to do it. There was no gain for him . . . just gain for us.
Thanks, Roger!
We are already gathering up nominations for next year's Tapadera Award. If you have some ideas, write to us and give us their name, and why they fit the criteria. The Fall issue of The Winchester Collector magazine will contain a full page announcement of this award.

On the trail in northcentral Idaho . . . Steve and Jim

NOTE: Whenever you are sending us funds for screws, parts, stain, saddle rings or GUNS . . . make your check to either Steve Bly or Jim Grueter. We don't care which you use. But DON'T make the check to Tapadera's Winchesters. There is no such company. That's just our internet handle. We'll have to send them back, since our bank won't accept them And that will just delay your order. Thanks. S&J