Reeder Custom Guns - In some very old writings, like 100 yrs. old

I have read of reference to the old timers shooting .32 S&W in a gun chambered for .32-20 Win. I can't quite get my head around that. The .32-20 is larger diameter while being the came 'caliber" as the .32 S&W. I guess it's close enough to hit the central fired primer and the soft lead bullets used would get funneled into the bore.

From such a time ago and figuring if it fit it might work, tried it and didn't die, so they needed no permission to continue the practice. It was a different time with a different attitude in the world.

A local photo for effect. I was wondering what brand of pump gun this old hunter was sporting. They had the 97 and 12 Win. by then, Marlin made a 97 copy, but it looks well worn. Maybe an original Spencer?
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A young family with a toddler and a baby. Usually were married by 14 or 15 back then. From the looks of them, they must have waited to get hitched till they were nearly in their 20's.

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Hard to tell on the shotgun, the grainy photo and the way he’s holding it

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I note it is not a pistol grip stock. Most pics of Spencer’s have pistol grip stocks and even less pump handles.

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I don't know about the gun, but the lady looks like a real ray of sunshine. Had to be a tuff life

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Seeing how far you could get toward maintaining things. Through shrewd knowledge and hard work they made living and families. Trading and helping each other

That photo was about 50 yrs. post Civil War. The old timers must have been kids when it was going on. I remember in the 1960’s a lot of men dying of heart attacks in their 40’s early 50’s. It was a tough life.

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That deep recess in the receiver ahead of the hammer and the two screw heads in the side of the fore door look the same

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Having a pistol grip was a feature and not as many had straight stocks. I think it makes them kick harder! Just seems to to me. Remington made some late 1100's and 870 with straight stocks and short bird barrels. Very distinctive.

The slide and barrel attachments are very streamlined that concur with the Marlin Early series. Those two attachment points on that minimal pump handle too. I read the Model 17 was the first offered with a straight stock. Who knows for sure, info is spotty. Marlin had the 1898, then the 12, 14, 16, 17 and 21. "Trombone" guns were in vogue at the turn of the last century. It would be a hoot to play with some old ones but the Marlin's were fragile and if they break it's YOU making repair parts.

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They came out around 1906-08 and the 17 was listed with a straight stock. Just a restyled 1898 model. The model 19 incorporated more advanced features. All of them are weak guns designed basically for black power shot shells.

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In some very old writings, like 100 yrs. old

Interesting picture

I thought it was Grandparents holding grandkids

Minimal wood pump, not Cobb type

Old pic

Till just after the war it was mostly from can till can’t

I sent you a link. I think it’s a marlin

Fore END

The forend and straight stock are keys

I think Doug nailed the gun; Marlin M17