A stainless steel version of the S&W Model 24, all 624s are .44 Special. In 1985 Lew Horton, having noted the popularity of the Jovino snub gun conversions of various N-frame guns, contracted with S&W to produce these 3" barreled guns (mine actually measures 2-3/4"). 5000 of these were supposedly made, however, one seldom sees these come on the market. Also, these guns have the N-frame dimension round butt, not the slightly smaller K-frame round butt of the Jovinos. This is important when looking for aftermarket stocks. S&W did make a few of these AFTER the Lew Horton order.
This makes my 5th .44 Special revolver but it is the only double action gun in which I would feel comfortable using the Skeeter load. I think the smaller L-frame 696 should be preserved with a slightly lighter load and it is certainly more pleasant to shoot that way.
I didn't get the box or papers with this gun but it should still hold its value well. I don't yet know whether or not I like the finger groove grips but they are original.
All of the Lew Horton guns had the serial prefix of "AHW" and this gun is an "ALV" which, interestingly enough, isn't listed for date in the 3d edition of the standard catalog. However one can easily see that this gun has no lock or MIM parts and uses the hammer mounted firing pin.
S&W 624 in Galco Holster
There was an issue with incorrect heat treatment of some cylinders for the 624s and there was a recall. After a number of cylinders were replaced, S&W ran out of cylinders and would offer to replace the guns with 629s (if I wanted a 629 I'd have bought a 629 would be my response). The prefix for the guns in this range is "ACH", I think. I'd like to get confirmation. Guns which were repaired were not marked but guns which were correct had their boxes marked with a 3/4" red circle with a "C" in the center of the circle.
I did get to shoot it some a couple of days ago and it did pretty well with the Winchester Silvertip load (which was very mild in recoil) and the "Skeeter Skelton" load of 7.5 gr. Unique under the 250 gr. Keith bullet. That last was clearly not a pussy cat but the recoil is very manageable and will be even more so with practice.
M624 with new shoes, Skeeter load and Silvertips
After a bit I came upon some different stocks for a round-butt N-frame and thought I'd try them out. I like these so put them on and put the factory stocks in a safe place to preserve them.
A bit of an addendum... The following information was provided by a very thoughtful reader:
According to Skelton's ST article (10/85), here are the recall SN ranges for the Model 624 recall:
ADXXXX
AEXXXX
AFXXXX
AGXXXX
AHXXXX
ALVXXX (the “V” is not a typo)
N910000 thru N953000
Got another new to me gun, a United State Fire Arms Rodeo. This one has had an "action job" and a Belt Mountain base pin installed. Yes, another .45 Colt and it fits the El Paso Saddlery and Mernickle holsters. The holster pictured herewith was sold long ago by the previous owner. However, I don't have to get anything else to put it to use. As of this date the listed MSRP on this gun is $750.00. USFA has this to say about the Rodeo...
The design of the Original Rodeo® was forged by history. It is handcrafted with our Cowboy Action Matte Blue™ a Special Glare-Reducing Finish. The balance is perfect. Reliability, unquestioned. Experience the benefit of fully machined bar stock parts, properly tempered springs and a hand built action in that first pull of the trigger.
The Original Rodeo’s easy to acquire sight picture is yours as you sight down a wide rear notch and square front blade with our special glare-reducing finish; cowboy shooting in bright sunlight is no problem.
The Original Rodeo® available in .45 Colt or .38 Special, with 4-¾" or 5-½" barrel. “US” hard rubber grips are standard on all base models.
The Original Rodeo® rides into the USFA product line to meet the demand of the SASS enthusiast. The Original Rodeo® is an affordable, Made in U.S.A. entry into the world of cowboy shooting, giving SASS shooters a choice of a 100% American made product instead of the imported clones so often found at the lower end of the price/quality market.
USFA builds guns up to a level of quality unsurpassed by any other maker - foreign or domestic. Using modern manufacturing techniques pioneered here at USFA, the parts we make are 100% American Made.
My first shooting experience with it wasn't so great. Using my current standard revolver load for the .45 Colt of 8.5 gr. Unique under the Keith bullet I didn't seem to get the accuracy I was looking for. Still, it might have been me. It certainly wasn't bullet fit in the chamber throats as a quick check shows them to correctly dimensioned. This happens sometimes. I have a bunch of the RCBS 270SA which I will be loading in the next batch. It might do better.
I'm going to continue this marketing ploy of my cousin Chuck McKirdy (first cousin once removed) and take a moment to promote his book, Lincoln Apostate The Matson Slave Case. It is also available at Amazon.com.
How the "Great emancipator" found himself in court defending a slave owner's claim to human chattels
In 1847, in a small rural courthouse in Coles County, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln represented a Kentucky slave owner named Robert Matson in his attempt to recover a runaway slave woman and her four children. Most Americans, even those with a penchant for the nation's history, have never heard of this court case. This is no coincidence. Lincoln's involvement in the case has troubled and bewildered most students and biographers of the "Great Emancipator." In many assessments, the case inspires rationalizations and distortions; in others, avoidance and denial. These approaches are a disservice to the man and to those who seek to understand him.
In Lincoln Apostate: The Matson Slave Case, lawyer and historian Charles R. McKirdy digs behind the myths and evasions to determine why Lincoln chose to advocate property rights grounded in a system that he claimed to abhor and pursue the continued enslavement of five of its most vulnerable and sympathetic victims. In a careful and readable blend of narrative and analysis, the book finds the answer in the time and place that was Lincoln's Illinois in 1847, in the laws and judicial decisions that provided the legal backdrop against which the drama of the Matson case was played out, and in the man that Lincoln was thirteen years before he became president.
The discussion of Lincoln's decision to represent Matson and the description of the trial itself take nothing at face value. The author examines primary and secondary sources for the ribbon of truth shorn of preconceptions and hollow justifications. Lincoln Apostate scrutinizes Lincoln's motives for choosing as he did and explores the ideals and fears of this very complex man.
Charles R. McKirdy, Poway, California, litigated cases for twenty-five years in the state of Illinois and holds a Ph.D. in history and a law degree from Northwestern University. His work has been published in the American Journal of Legal History, the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, and the Journal of Legal Education.
176 pages (approx.), 6 x 9 inches, bibliography, index
I've received mine and am only about half way through the 1st chapter so a review will have to wait.
We had a great day that passed quickly even though we weren't extremely or even fairly busy. Some great folks visited and there were some good and fun conversations.
We did have a fellow bring in a pristine Colt Official Police .22 LR in his search for a holster. He got one in nylon. What was interesting to me is that he brought it in in a .50 caliber ammo can wrapped in an old T-shirt. This was an inheritance from his grandfather that he shot with his grandson. At least it now has a holster (of sorts).
We did do 5 background checks. Only one was held up. We had a native of Kazakstan, now an American citizen, buy his first firearm. While waiting for his background check to clear his boss (also a good customer) showed up. All was well, boss very happy for his man to get his first gun. Said that now he really was an American! Gotta love that attitude.
Nana now wants to go to St. Louis for the next NRA Annual Meeting.
We have attended our second NRA Annual Meeting, this one being held in Pittsburgh. We stayed at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. We attended the Freedom Experience, Leadership Forum and spent a lot of time on the exhibition floor.
Travel time to Pittsburgh is about 5 hours from here. I plotted two routes, both through West Virginia and allowing, time permitting, quick stops at friends homes or at Fort Necessity. I've wanted to visit this historic site for many years. This is the first image I ever saw of it. There have been changes since 1932 (of course). We saved that for the return trip on 2 May. Interestingly, the travel time doesn't change much even though the two routes (going and coming) were substantially different. That was kinda surprising. We did get to see more of West Virginia. I like West Virginia as I lived there for about 9 years.
Of course, I wanted to visit Fort Duquesne or Fort Pitt but Point State Park isn't quite the same. One can visit the Blockhouse and the Fort Pitt Museum.
Of course this took a lot of planning as my wife and I had to coordinate work schedules/time off, make hotel reservations, board the dog, etc... I thought I was undone at one point because I couldn't find my confirmation sheet for the hotel. So, I tried to get it on-line, must have used the credit card this one replaced and it wouldn't use that for the second ID. Called. The nice young lady couldn't find the reservation at first! My heart skipped a beat. All that effort and I knew that my sweet bride wouldn't be at all happy. She checked the spelling, "AH, there it is, 28 Apr to 1 May", and a confirmation number. "Thank you, thank you," I said. That was close...
This year the NRA negotiated the venue with the requirement that CHP holders be able to come and go. Fortunately Pennsylvania AND West Virginia honor the Virginia CHP. I felt much better about going to Pittsburgh. I used my Simply Rugged pocket holster and Smith and Wesson 642 and I don't think anyone ever realized I was carrying.
The hotel was nice, there were some good restaurants nearby and you could get a nice view of the confluence of the rivers. Parking was $20 a day which I suppose isn't too bad but I'll never get over paying for parking at a hotel. Parking is one of those hassles that keeps me out of the cities.
View from Mt. Washington in earlier days...
The weather wasn't forecast to be all that good with showers, partly cloudy and mostly cool, 52-64° highs, days. Good walking weather I thought if it doesn't rain... We wanted to take the Monongahela Incline to the top of Mount Washington but didn't have the time.
What we did do is register on Thursday and meet with Clint and Debbie B_____ for a few before leaving for dinner. Nana was a bit tired from the winding ride up.
Friday, we got up and went on over to arrive about 9:15 (the exhibit opened at 0900) and since nobody was hanging about got caught up in looking at all the exhibits. Shook hands with Phil Spangenberger. We had covered about half of it in a bit of a rush when we ran into some acquaintances at the Ruger booth. We were supposed to meet at 10:30 but I don't wear a watch and lost track of the time. Unfortunately Matt Olivier of the Ruger Collectors' Association had already moved on. I couldn't find him afterward. I wonder what's up with that? As I write this I wonder if there is a reason we haven't met. Maybe the "fates" are trying to save me money or something... Anyway, Nana got a photo of our group.
That afternoon we went to the leadership forum and I got to meet and very briefly speak with Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Director.
Grandpa and Wayne LaPierre
Among the speakers was Herman Cain. I thought it was a powerful speech. I got to speak with him also, again very briefly, and shake his hand. 10 years older than me, he still has a good grip! I hate to say, but contrasted with Newt Gingrich's rather dead fish handshake, I like Mr. Cain a bit better. Many of these speakers have some sort of political aspirations. Among those was Newt Gingrich with whom Nana was photographed. She's really proud of this!
I noticed that that some of them talk a better talk in front of the NRA membership than they do "in public". Overall we both enjoyed it though.
On Saturday morning Nana took a break and I went to the exhibits by myself. Got to look at stuff and talk with some of the exhibitors.
The new President of Ithaca Gun showed me their adjustable stock they are making in lieu of a wood stock which was pretty neat albeit of a synthetic. He said that if a wooden youth stock was wanted he would just cut a standard to length. They have a 20 ga. "riot" gun that would be perfect for many small stature people for home defense.
I also went over to the Shiloh Sharps booth and drooled a bit. Kirk was busy with others so we didn't get to speak. However, I did get a close look at the military rifle and carbine. I would like, someday, to have a .50-70 like Scott T_______'s but we'll just have to wait and see.
I got to see a demonstration, of sorts, and speak with Mike Holm about the Federal Guard Dog ammunition.
As I was typing it was announced the Osama Bin Laden has been killed in a US Navy SEAL operation in Pakistan. He was apparently staying with a courier whose home was nearly next door to a major Pakistani military base. Asked to surrender, shot by a SEAL and already buried at sea. This was the result of unrelenting pursuit by the combined American intelligence and military assets. There have been spontaneous celebratory demonstrations of many kinds last night and this morning.
I am as one in a dream! I saw our poor Leonard die, and I saw him buried, but yet I cannot realize that I never shall see him again. It seems impossible to give up the idea that I must see him and hear his voice again, and it is only by the sternest and most careful thought that I can full realize that the loss is actual and irremediable. When I look back to last spring and remember the part he took in your celebrations and more lately, the sword presentation, preceded by the game of Ball, the most active and strong of all engaged, how can it be, I ask myself, that he is now silent, speechless and dead! He was a noble boy! Meanness and falsehood were as unknown to his soul as to that of the purest angel! The noblest epitaph that can be placed upon his tombstone is that I never knew him to tell a lie. I relied as implicitly upon his word, as I did upon any declaration of God’s holy word. I always had a different feeling towards him, from that which I felt toward my other children. Not that I am conscious of having loved him more or having been improperly partial towards him, but he always seemed to me, at least for several years, so manly and intelligent, that I felt he was more of a companion, than either of my other boys, although two of them were older than he. But why need I say anything to you about one you knew so well? I thank you for your words of kindness and sympathy, received through the boys. It now only remains that I describe to you his last hours, very briefly, because I know it will be a satisfaction, though a sad and mournful one. On the 25th of November, I received a telegram from the Colonel of the Regiment “Leonard is not so well, and yet cannot get leave to go home. He wants to see you here.” This was the first intimation I had received of his being unwell all his letters prior to that time (the last received on the 22nd) had been written in high health and spirits, and spoke of his great enjoyment of camp life. By some incomprehensible mistake, which I have not yet been able to fathom, this telegram, although sent from “Centreville” was dated “Tenally Town” (possibly Taney Town). Wondering how the regiment could be at the latter place, whis is only about five miles out of Washington, as my last letter had been written from Gainesville, I nevertheless took the first train and went to Tenally Town. I there learned that the regiment had never been there, and from the telegraphic operator, that no such message had been sent from there, I could learn nothing of the whereabouts of the regiment, and thinking that the whole thing might be an error, I returned to New York. On going to my office, however, I found a letter from the Colonel, dated the 22 November, at Centreville, stating that Leonard was somewhat ill—that he was not seriously so—that he had applied for permission for him to go home, and I did not doubt but that he would get it, too—(This letter explains the language of the telegram which I have quoted) I immediately telegraphed, “How is Leonard? And how can I reach you?” and received in reply, “Leonard is very ill—come to Centreville by way of Washington.” I left by the first train and reached Centreville, last Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock I found Leonard very ill, at a stone house, where it was warm and dry, and receiving every attention and care that was possible, under the circumstances. His disease was typhus, and he was delirious nearly all the time. I could not tell certainly that he recognized me before Monday, although I occasionally thought there was a momentary gleam of recognition. The great difficulty was, that his utterance was so thick, on account of his throat, that it was almost impossible to distinguish any of his utterings. But on Monday he recognized me distinctly. I asked him if he knew me He answered Yes Sir. And, as I was moving away from his bed for some purpose, he asked, “Where are you going?” I told him, I should no leave him, but would stay till I took him home. He asked if he could not go home at once. I told him he was not quite strong enough yet. This was the only lucid conversation I had with him, and this I made as short as possible, on account of his extreme debility. But on this day the doctor’s hopes were very strong, and son continued throughout the day and evening. But on Tuesday morning he was much worse, There seemed to be a complication of diphtheria, which was probably the immediate cause of his death. He died about ten o’clock Tuesday morning, very peacefully, but, to all appearances, unconsciously. The doctor, who was really a skillful man, was indefatigable in his exertions, scarcely leaving him by night or by day. We had also the advice of the surgeon of another regiment, and of the Brigade surgeon, who both coincided in the mode of treatment. It was great satisfaction to be there to witness his last respiration and close his eyes, but very sad to think, that with so many friends who loved him, I was the only one present to tend or care for him. The poor boy, during his illness, often tried to sing, and I doubt not was tying to sing some of the songs he had often sung at your happy home. It would have been a great happiness to me, could he have been conscious of the change which was about to take place I know I should have been charged with many commissions of love to Washington for I know he loved it beyond any place under the skies. I could give you many quotations from his journal to show this but one must suffice. “August 18th, Monday” (The last day he was in Washington.) “Up bright and early to be off at half past six. Everybody came down to Mr. Gunn’s to see me off, and such a kissing time as I had I shall probably never experience again. No one has ever gone to war with more happy recollections than I have. Washington seems like a family from which I have torn myself away. Farewell Washington! With you my happiest hours have been spent, hours, which with their happiness can never again be experienced. Farewell Washington! And should heaven spare me, on my return, my steps will be toward it, which should I live a hundred years, will always be fresh in my remembrance. Good by school life, and now to become a soldier"” Leonard left some letters which I deem to sacred to peruse and shall return to the writer But I had less delicacy about those from Mrs. Gunn and Miss Bell Brinsmade and I will trouble you to express my thanks to them for their kind and considerate advice to our poor lost boy. He never made any outward profession of faith in Christ but I sincerely trust, that God, in his mercy had taken him to his mother in heaven. I state to you, that the Colonel’s telegram was my first intelligence of his being, in the slightest degree, unwell. But I have since heard, that it was known to _______________. It had occurred to me, that, as I was unwilling he should go to the war, he might feel unwilling, on that account, to complain to me. Will you let me know how this is, through inquiries of Mrs. Gunn and Miss Brinsmade? I should like to see any letter, or extracts of letters, that you think would interest me.
And now as to this fearful and terrible war! My hatred of its cause is entirely unabated, rather very much increased. But where is it going to end, God only knoweth! I begin to be greatly alarmed on this point. What with bickerings and jealousies between Generals, and those high in authority in civil life, and the well know purposes of northern sympathizers, I begin to fear, somewhat, the result. Did I not believe that God was on our side I should be dismayed. God useth instrumentalities! And the time may not be distant, when you and I, and every lover of his country, will be required to buckle on the sword or shoulder the musket, and, if needs be, die in defence of great principles. I feel ready, today, rather to die, than see the great principles of which we have been fighting, surrender. I beg you to remember me to all friends.
Very truly Yours
W. W. VanCott
F. W. Gunn Esq.
This letter is recounting the Judge's recent death of his son, Lieutenant Leonard Boole Van Cott, due to disease during Leonard's Civil War service, to the Headmaster of "The Gunnery" in Washington, CT.
William, Leonard and Theodore (l-r)
The judge is my Great, Great, Great Grandfather William Hathaway Van Cott. The judge had 4 sons (of 6) who survived to adulthood the oldest three of whom served in the Civil War. Leonard was studying at The Gunnery in Washington, CT when service called and was able to acquire a commission in Company I 119th New York Infantry. He must have made quite an impression as his headmaster and fellow students presented him with a sword when they sent him off to war. The sword still exists and I understand it is being presented to The Gunnery today for inclusion in their museum. That is a good place to both preserve the artifact and to honor our long departed great grand uncle.
Leonard was only 16 (not 18 as reported in official records) when he died. Like the vast majority of Civil War dead it was disease that took him from his family and cut short a life of great promise. Prior to attending Mr. Gunn's school he was in the Introductory Class at The Free Academy (later became City College) which was also attended by his brother Theodore. Apparently he was quite a good student.
Uncle Leonard's Sword
I have been told that today, 1 May 2011, his sword will return to Mr. Gunn's school to be preserved for posterity.
I found an interesting site regarding Uncle Leonard, "Letters from Charlie Goodyear".
I learned a few things today. First, we got an awful lot of water but not so much that the river channels can't handle it. Next, West Virginia mountains look really good with all that water running down the hollows. Also, Durbin and Bartow and Elkins sure have changed over these last 50 years. Then I learned that Pittsburgh is harder than heck to drive in but the rivers are impressive. Great hospitality here as well, I wonder why my nephew didn't like going to college here.
Sorry to say that there aren't any photos. No really neat guns (although there is a nicely refinished Colt 1917 in the case as well as a Garand with some parts) nor was there any really big news.
The work in the road continues and that seems to be cutting off some casual customers but the addicts are finding their way in. We've had three slow weeks but it picked up yesterday. We are doing some better than last year at this time, although it seemed busier then than now to all of us.
The staffing at the Virginia background shop must have picked up because delays were being processed more quickly. 1-1½ hours was about all. This is a big improvement to the recent 4+ hour delays.
As I noted previously there are multitudinous variations of the Remington System rifles. In this book, "Remington Rolling Block Military Rifles of the World", George Layman attempts to make sense of it all, or at least most of it in his examination of the military rifles.
This is a great book. Mr. Layman can write in a way that is easy to follow and understand and has an obviously genuine interest in the topic. The photography is excellent and there are a number of items to interest even the general or military historian.
The Remington System, popularly known as the Rolling Block or "roller" for short, was once an extremely popular military and civilian single-shot rifle action. Recently, a young fellow brought me a rifle his family had taken in lieu of cash for work performed. As I looked at it it was a #4 Remington rifle, 80-85% with octagonal barrel caliber .32 rimfire. It was missing the front sight blade but otherwise could have been shot (if ammo was available). After some further research (after seeing the rifle) I was going to call him to let him know that he should value it at about $450. However, before I could call he called me.
What did he have to say? He had been looking on-line and thought that the screws (?) didn't look right for it to be a #4. Before I talked to him again I wanted to do some more research so that I could either convince him that it was a #4 or give him a correct identification. Then I thought that I'd just record my notes here...
The Remington system began with the Geiger split breech rifle about 1865. Too, late for the American Civil War the gun was further developed with an eye to overseas sales, mainly Europe and South America with additional civilian/sporting sales.
One thing that one discovers right from the get go is that there are within the broader categorizations even to models as sold by contract to various military organizations is that there are numerous variations (not different models) as Remington used up parts from other contracts or redirected other contracts which hadn't been paid for to newer clients/contracts. Remington did what other companies did at the time and that is they used intensive management oversight to maximize profits by way of minimizing waste. The used and reused parts as much as possible. Again, variations within variations within models within contracts...
So what actions were there? Well, it seems that somebody has assigned numbers to the rolling block actions, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 (actually a falling block).
Remington #1 Rolling Block .43 Carbine, centerfire
The #1 Remington rolling block rifle is also known as the black powder cartridge rifle. Produced by Remington in both military and civilian models from 1866 to 1895 these large frame rolling block production totaled well over 1 million rifles with a number of variations. 1.250" wide this is the largest of the Remington system actions. This same action was also used on the 1-1/2 rifle.
No. 1-1/2 Action rifle, rimfire
The #2 Remington rolling block is a smaller scale civilian model sporting rifle using a receiver patterned after the 1871 Army pistol. A number of the parts are interchangeable with the 1871, 1891 and 1902 pistols as well as the #7 target rifle. This rifle was produced in a wide variety of rim fire and center fire cartridges. The rim fire models with bar extractors are the most numerous. 1.125" wide it was used for smaller and less "powerful" cartridges than the #1 action. It can be identified by the curved counter at the rear where it joins the stock.
The #3 was actually a falling block action, the Remington-Hepburn.
The #4 Remington rolling block is the smallest of the rolling block rifles it is at once noticeably smaller if you've ever seen one of the larger actions. It was only produced in rim fire cartridges and may be found in the three variations shown here plus military and Boy Scout models. The quickest identifying feature is the mounting of Breech Block and Hammer on screws rather than pins. Early production #4s have tapered octagon barrels while the late takedown model was produced with a round barrel.
Model 1897 7x57mm Mauser Chambering, the #5
The #5 Remington rolling block rifles are also known as the smokeless powder cartridge rolling block rifles. Beginning production in 1896 they comprise the 1897, 1902, and 1910 models. While the #5 was produced in several smokeless center fire cartridges the vast majority of them are chambered 7mm Mauser.
No. 6 Rifle (a falling block), for small caliber rimfires such as the .22 LR
The #6 is not a true rolling block. It is a small scale falling block boys rifle.
1911 The First 100 Years by Patrick Sweeney is the latest book to rest in my lap and make the journey to the "reading" room. I had seen the paperback version in Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble but couldn't bring myself to pay full retail for it (sorry Mr. Sweeney). I couldn't even get myself to allow Amazon to ship a copy. However, I got an emailed offer from Gun Digest Books for this and several other books on then 1911 at considerable savings for all and couldn't resist. Yesterday a large box containing the books was dropped off by the mailman. It wasn't until last night that I had the time to open the box and to peruse its contents.
The other books were paperback and so I was a bit surprised, as I worked my way to the bottom of the stack, to find this one in hardbound form. Wow!, this really seems to have upped the quality of the publication over the paperback version. That is immediately apparent in the quality of the photographs, and there are a bunch, of wonderful pistols throughout the book.
Equally wonderful are the photograph captions. Usually there is very little information in a caption, but Sweeney has and his editor has permitted, extensive comments in the captions. If there was no other content, this book might well be worth the price for the photos and captions alone. But, there is prose aplenty in this book. I've read Sweeney's other stuff and I thought it was "good enough", a backhanded compliment if there ever is one. In this book it is apparent that Sweeney loves and I mean LOVES this subject and this book was a labor of love. His writing is concise and organized when making technical descriptions. But there is more. Clearly, Sweeney loves the stories behind the choices and acts made by the designers, manufacturers, customers (the governments), and the end users civilian or military. To say that this adds to the quality of the book is an understatement but this book is the whole package. Wonderful illustrations, a certain exuberance in writing style that is easy to follow and a wealth of information certain to entertain and delight any enthusiast or neophyte.
How about this one that came out of the woodwork. Its a presentation 1849 Colt that was one of 200 guns commissioned by Sam Colt himself in 1854 to be engraved by the famous Colt engraver, Gustav Young. Came from an estate here in Pennsylvania.
Snagged by my buddy Tom, at Targetmaster. Nice piece of history. The gun's engraving is still very sharp and the gun has had very little use, but most of the blue and case hardening has faded. The wood case is still in excellent condition.----------If this was mine, it would be turned into a couple of deluxe 1886's! ---------Sixgun
Well, yesterday was slow but full of wonderful guns and a couple of surprises...
First thing upon entering the store I see this 1917 DWM Artillery Luger with "snail" drum magazine. A local fellow is supposed to come into the store today to look at it and the next interesting piece. As you might know the 32-round "snail" drum magazines are pretty pricey.
The Luger pistol was accepted by the German Navy in 1904. The Navy model had a 6 inch barrel and a two position (100/200 metre) rear sight. This version is known as Pistole 04. The German Army adopted the Luger in 1908 to replace the Reichsrevolver in front-line service. The Pistole 08 (or P.08) had a 4-inch barrel and was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum.
The Lange (long) Pistole (pistol) 08 (Model 1908) or Artillery Luger is a pistol/ carbine for use by German artillerymen as a sort of early Personal Defense Weapon. It has an 8 inch barrel, an 8-position tangent rear sight (calibrated to 800 metres) and a shoulder stock with holster. It was sometimes used with a 32-round drum magazine (Trommelmagazin 08). The magazines can sell for as much as $2900 or about the same as the pistol alone!
The next interesting piece was this nickeled Mauser C96. It particularly interested me, we get the model through the store sometimes, because it appears to be factory nickeled and because it doesn't have the slot for mounting the butt-stock holster. I didn't know they either nickeled the guns nor that any were sans the slot. But after some research I'm pretty much convinced this is just an excellent, professional nickel job on a gun that had the stock slot welded up. The sights are all nickeled and this isn't something that would necessarily be a good thing. The lack of slot goes back to another time when the existence of the slot might have given some owners the shakes as they didn't and couldn't possess the stock.
Other guns that had walked in the door were PPK and an engraved S&W M38.
My former comrade in arms Phil H_____ dropped by. He's on his enforced "sabbatical" until he can go back to work for Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. He's limited to 1500 hours a year.
We took an S&W 39 apart to make the safety release a bit easier. The safety detent had gotten some putz in it and was hard to depress.
Otherwise, pretty slow. All the background checks were on layaways being picked up and other sales seemed flat. Not a large number of people through the door.
The Sharps derringer in this short story is another one of those "take home & clean" antiques from Targetmaster. These guns were made from about 1860 to 1872 in Philadelphia and this specimen is in remarkable condition for being made around 1868. Yes, its the same company that made the big buffalo guns but I just don't know why the derringers were made 30 miles down the road from where I live which probably explains why I see them all the time.
This particular gun is chambered for the .22 short but the company also made them in .30 & .32 rimfire. It has a fixed 4 barrel unit with a rotating firing pin which rotates to the next barrel each time the hammer is pulled.
So.........in respect to it's age I load up the gun with Colibri .22 short "caps" which have only priming compound and no powder and then went outside and blasted away. I was shooting fence posts, in the pond, the burn pit, horse piles, even a few towards the neighbor's cat. The accuracy was somewhat amazing and if I held real tight and squeezed 'em off slowly, it would be no problem hitting a man sized target at 25-35 yards.
Yea, I know, the energy level would not do much but...........in those days, the recipient of a chunk of lead was more afraid of getting a bullet in him that would most assuredly cause an infection with a slow death than he was a bullet passing clear through him. (Anyway, thats what I read...I really don't think anyone wanted to get shot with anything, whether it stuck in his gut or passed through a meaty section.
Ok boys, here she is.
The "action" slid forward...
Here's a pic of the firing fin. Its a pretty neat arrangement. This baby turns to the next barrel with each pull of the hammer.
Here's an 8 shot "group" which I fired somewhat fast. Some holes look like they keyholed, but they did not--its just the way the paper reacted from the tremendous blow of the 20 grain bullet.
"Trust in God and fear nothing." Captain Lewis A. Armistead
"A free people ought to be armed." (President George Washington, Jan 14 1790, Boston Independent Chronicle.)
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." (William Pitt,Nov. 18, 1783)
"Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."Captain John Parker, Apr. 19, 1775
The Four Rules
1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. 4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it.
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