This is a definite change in topics--not on theme parks, anyway. This will be an evolving project, so please bear with me.
I will be uploading photos shortly, but I couldn't wait to unveil my new big project with my dad: researching the origins of a Winchester rifle that once belonged to my grandfather. Although this is not a photo of ours--it will be uploaded as soon as I can get some decent photos with my digital camera--this image is very similar to the rifle we own.
My dad has done some research, discovering that it was actually made in 1884, designating it as a "rare Winchester"--by rarewinchesters.com anyway. This was a nice enough discovery considering that the guns on this website range from a value of $1,500 to $29,500. What is more unique about our rifle, however, is the presentation medallion on the wooden "butt" of the rifle, an inscription that is rather difficult to read since some of the script is in Old English. To the best of my knowledge, it reads:
To J.E.M. Hodgson
From the employees of
J.G. Mackenzie & Co.
on his leaving for
Florida
Montreal 1 Sept. 1884
It was a bit difficult to distinguish between "G"s, "E"s, and "H"s because of the wear on the brass (could be silver) plate and the detail of the script.
The big questions now are, who was J.E.M. Hodgson, and what was J.G. Mackenzie & Co.?
After a little research on Google, we've definitely answered one question at least: J.G. Mackenzie & Co. was a wholesale dry goods importer that was founded by its namesake around 1929.
Mr. Hodgson is another question. Looking at some censuses in Montreal seems to confirm that this rather rare surname has some founding in the area--but the difficulty is in determining what the initials might represent.
One possibility? This could be Jonathan Hodgson, a rival wholesale dry goods importer, Hodgson of Foulds & Hodgson. He is pictured with his family in the photo at the top of the picture. To put it lightly, they where the shiz in Canada--real kings of commerce. To read a bit more of the illustrious Hodgson, check out http://books.google.com/books?id=i6gOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA550&lpg=PA550&dq=dry+goods+%22Jonathan+Hodgson%22+Canada&source=bl&ots=lTmLUXaJu6&sig=FyqakodQ9lLNfjW9m8J0D79uq-w&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA550,M1
Now if this J.E.M. Hodgson is Jonathan, then that could make for a very interesting story behind this particular rival. It could be a hilarious "adios and up-yours" from the competition. If it's not Jonathan, then it was clearly a beloved employee who deserved an expensive present upon retirement.
It's a mystery...and one we hope to solve in time.
