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Old Trooper Gunsmiths LLC
Old Trooper Gunsmiths LLC
SPECIALIZING IN MILITARY FIREARMS.
My Blog
My Blog
Blog
Summer shooting season
| Posted on June 29, 2017 at 4:55 PM |
comments (212)
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No,this has nothing to do with antifa or any of that type of idiot. Many of our favorite seasons is upon us. The summer shooting season. The Camp Perry national matches have started. If you have never been there, I recommend it if only for the shopping alone. Many factory tables displaying there wares. Everyone from Armilite to Zastava. Quite a few "factory seconds" or repaired guns are for sale there as well. And for the most part at a significant discount. If you are in the area, it is well worth the visit. Thankfully the S&W mail in rebate is almost over. I did not mind the extra business, but many people ordered THE SAME DAM GUN. Sorry, so much black poly gets really old really quick... On a nice side note the ODCMP has gotten in a few more realy nice quality drill rifles in. We take great pride in giving these old guns a new life with new bolts and barrels. The two M1's are called for, but the gorgeous "typewriter" (Smith-corona make) 1903a3 will be rebuilt with a new barrel (4 groove match) and NOS bolt. Will make a darling rifle for the vintage bolt action matches that are becoming quite popular. Provided you can take the recoil. We, well me.. have started, after much delay onto the pile of Spanish 1916 Mauser. We have cleaned up (not refinished) the earliest example with a roller coaster rear sight (GEW 98 style) and hinged floorplate. No two of these "Hemingway era" rifles are alike. So many different little features. Well, fight a civil war, look at what happens. It is going to be an intresting summer. Old troopers Actual Out. |
The 9mm Luger: hero or villain
| Posted on June 2, 2017 at 4:44 AM |
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Nothing seems to divide the gun world better than the 9mm vs .45 or whatever caliber debate. I have seen rooms full of "civilized" people devolve to a prison yard sounding verbal brawl over this issue. I am not feeding into it today. As most of you know I often carry a .45 1911 in the shop. Occasionally I may carry something..... interesting. There are few calibers I would not carry. Only ones I avoid are the "tiny" calibers, although I have carried a Colt 1903 in .32 on a very rare occasion and the "transsexual" cal. The .40 S&W. First let us back up a bit. The 9x19, 9mm Luger, 9mm parabellium, 9mm NATO. All the same round. Don not let the kid behind the counter tell you differently! This popular round started off as the 7.5 bochart round. This round was a necked cartridge for the new auto pistol. The round itself was ok, despite its fragility of the design of the firearm. But this was the early days of the semi auto, with the notable exception of the C96 "broom handle". The German army liked the Bochart, but can not leave well enough. Alone: . Tinkered. The end result was the legendary P08 para. Chambered for the 7.65 bochart. The round was a ... a ... not bad round. But it did have rather poor ballistics. So the engineers took the bottlenecked round and straightened it. So, the 9mm Luger was born. Now we here in North America view the 9mm as small and anemic. And the .45 as a "man stopper." But in Europe, a place where most of the cops carried .32 and . 380'(aka 9mm browning short) until recently when the UPGRADED to 9mm para. But by euro standards the 9mm Luger is a big round for military use. Therefore "barbaric" to use on the civilian population. Go figure. So, here is where the fights start. What is better? Capacity, or bullet size? Fast, high penetration, or slow and smashing ? 15 rounds or 7? Much argument over this s issue. I will refrain from it. And, dear reader leave it up to you to decide. Is the small fast round the wave of the future? Or a slow passing fad? Old troopers actual, 0ut. |
The tactical employment of early CQB weapons: The blunderbuss
| Posted on April 27, 2017 at 3:41 AM |
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 In the age of sail, the age of iron men and wooden ships, there arose a need for a weapon to clear the tight confines of the lower decks of the fighting ships. That is where the blunderbuss begins to shine. In retrospect however the myth and lore surrounding this weapon is quite..... incredible in its own right. Most of you probably think of the blunderbuss from how they are portrayed in most Disney movies. Slow to load, can throw anything down the barrel . And they were everywhere. Not exactly. The blunderbuss was intended to be a naval close quarters room clearing gun. Much like how shotguns are employed on a modern entry team. They are part of the larger unit and had their place. Think if you will back to the days of the tall ships. Warefare of the time was not necessarily to kill your enemy, but to gain his territory or his stuff. And to do that, well, you have to get close. After the cannon fire had slowed and crippled the enemy vessel the victorious, well almost victorious ship comes alongside. Boarding parties are sent across. As many as possible to capture their "prize" before it can be skuttled or intentionally sank by its own crew to prevent capture. The first ones across are your "red shirts" so to speak. Able seamen, gunners, etc were usually the first ones across. They would be armed with pistols, pikes and cutlasses and the occasional musket. Their job is to clear the deck. Take out the sailors remaining on their posts after the cannon fire exchange between the ships. Most of these men had a short life expectancy. Second: send in the Marines! Just as they are in this country they had marines on navy ships in the age of sail as well. These sea borne soldiers were skilled in the use of the bayonet. They mop up what the sailors left and prepared to go below decks. By this time the ship is.... relitively secured. Can not sail a frigate from below decks. But you do not own the ship until you have secured the powder and shot. And the rudder and other running gear dose not hurt either! So the marines get ready to do what they seem to love: use the bayonet. Cue the "thunder trumpet". Yes, the blunderbuss! Now that the top decks are secured, you need to secure the rest of the ship. The marines kick the door open or throw open a hatch cover, in come two "specialists" (usually sailors) with blunderbusses loaded with shot. One steps right, the other left. Blunderbuss on hip at the ready. BLAM BLAM.... If there is anyone in there, they are not happy. The blunderbuss men step to the rear to reload and the marines and sailors move in to finish or take care of the enemy wounded. Hand cannons reloaded, repeat. Repeat till ship captured. The painfull details and busting a few myths. Most blunderbusses were rather short. Contrary to the Disney portrayal most barreled under two feet. The purpose of the long barrel of a musket is just like a longer barrel on modern firearms. To burn as much powder or propellant to give more velocity to the projectile to make it fly faster and farther. These weapons were not intended to be used beyond 30 feet. About as big as a ships hold. So a long barrel sort of is unneeded and given its application, would prove to be very unnecessary and quite clumsy. Not exactly what you would want for turkey hunting. Little monster birds are smart and would seldom let you get into blunderbuss range. Why the "trumpet" muzzle? Well just like a musical instrument the flailed muzzle not only unintentionally acts as a "loudner" (the opposite of a silencer/suppressor) will throw shot in a wider disposition much like a trumpet dose sound. Almost like the "anti-choke". It also (possibly the original intention) makes it very easy to load. Just simply dump your bag of shot down the barrel. Less need to ram and seat the bullet or shot. Quite a few of them were never made with ramrods even! "Well you can load it with rocks, glass or anything".... well..... sort of. You CAN load it with anything. But, as most long range shooters will tell you: consistency is key. Irregular shaped objects fly irregularly. We have actually proven this concept. The first time we took the "shop project" blunderbuss out, we did not bring shot or prepaired ctg.'s loaded our little blunderbuss with handfuls of spent .22 brass at first. Than it became handfuls of steel case 9mm cases. Did I hit anything? Well...... through the smoke, I did see a few of them ripping through the backstop. Also imbedded a few into some nearby trees.... So, yes you can load anything into one. But will you hit your target? That may be another issue. The decline. Sadly we see very few blunderbusses in percussion cap. I was asked "why"? The answer is not so simple. But it is all part of the infamous "bigger picture". The age of "fighting sail" reached its zenith with the Napoleonic wars. Afterward there were fewer and fewer massed fleet actions. Less ship boarding. More armored ships, better naval guns, longer ranges. By the 1830's the steamship was even taking hold. But with the type of warfare the blunderbuss was intended for spinning into decline, as did its tools. So, with the more reliable percussion cap ignition replacing the flintlocks in a he 1830's-1850 the "thunder trumpet" was already on its way out. A tool of a method of warfare now past. By the time of the American civil war the revolver had long surpassed the blunderbuss as a more usefull tool for the boarding parties on the rare occasion they bordered a ship instead of sinking it! Now do not get me wrong, my blunderbuss came as a caplock. As a eyebrow less smith who started off in flintlocks with a minor in history, I just could not have that. So, into flintlock it goes! But if I were to build another just to have fun with, would go with the cap ignition. It is a great deal less frustrating! Who knows, may even make a bedside gun if you REALLY HATE whomever may disturb your sleep. Old troopers actual, Out |
The frangable myth
| Posted on March 31, 2017 at 5:25 AM |
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I have been told by a few clients who are trickling in for gunsmithing services or transfers that they were told the had to carry frangible ammunition for their daily carry. Now I am not one to debate/decry another instructor. But this is not only bad advice, it is downright dangerous! See, as a member of the Obommer era military, I apologize to the American tax payer. We, as a matter of being "environmentally friendly" have to qualify with frangible rounds. The theory behind this farce is that they will not contaminate the ground water due to them being made from compressed powder and a flimsy jacket. Unfortunately as we can tell you: they leave much to be desired. Let me elaborate. Frangible ammunition was first made in .50bmg for use in ww2 for training purposes. Most of the time it was for Air gunnery practice. The thought was that the jacket would do much less damage to the "tow" aircraft if accidentally sprayed by a careless or inexperienced gunner trainee. Most of the time it was a heavily armored p-39 or p64 "areocolbra" aircraft. An aircraft that was intended for a ground attack role, even if more went to the USSR than our own air forces. So, it could take a hit or two. And in this role the frangible ammunition did quite well. Well enough until something better came along. Now when they started scaling down to rifle and pistol sized bullets they had some issues. They began to find out that these became quite expensive. And they did not..... well let's just say they do not handle well. So they had a choice. Make the jacket thicker and risk the chance of unwanted levels of penetration. Or issue them out only before use and restrict the frequent carry of said ammo. Honestly they really have not worked any bugs out. I have personally thrown hundreds of rounds of this crap downrange. And let me tell you: it has some issues! First: they damage rather easily. Drop it, have issues loading it, it will deform the bullet. Got a "flyer" during qual? Yep, may actually be able to blame the ammo! Second: the compressed powder filling. It goes everywhere. We noticed right away, particularly with handgun ammunition. That there were what looked like brass flakes decorating the internals of the firearm. Almost to the level where it looked like a small handful of brass powder was released in the chamber. It was even worse downrange. With 4 shooters qualifying on both rifle and pistol on an indoor range, we swept up what had to have been, I shat thine not: at least six lbs of brass powder from the shooting points to the 25m target. That is a lot of debris! Operational use: ok, the theory behind the use of Frangables as carry ammo is simple. The fear of collateral damage. The thought is that it will not overpenitrate. Just hit your target and not do much damage if missed. I can understand the thought. The Air Marshals are issued frangible ammo for just this reason. The bullet will not penetrate the pressurized aircraft fuselage. Which would really sort of ruin your day there. The problem: the air marshals are issued new rounds every month. I want you to think about this:why? Because the rounds, being bounced around in a holstered firearm and ammo pouch, start to disintegrate. Thus leaving all that lovely brass powder looking material inside the magazine and firearm. Not exactly good for optimal performance of Defensive firearm! They are also quite pricey! The prices of frangible munitions on the civilian market is about that of most high quality premium defensive ammunition. And you would have to buy new rounds every month......... Than there is their ballistic effectiveness. How much damage do you think they can do? It is a compressed powder in a jacket after All! Rather shallow wounds. Sort of like firing a sandblaster an inch away from skin for 1/2 a second. Throw in some of the jacket, now you have an idea. Me? Well I want whomever has made his grievously horridly, poor lifestyle decision to only take a few of my bullets with him into the afterlife. If your aggressor (read:bullet sponge) is a larger person, wearing a thick coat or frankly not in their own mind it will take more frangible bullets to cause them to reconsider their course of action. Ok, I am not a complete jerk here. Frangible ammo dose have its place. But not as a daily carry ammo. If the firearm remains stationary for most of its usage, it is ideal. Ideal if you are worried about collateral damage in ones home. In an apartment? Thin interior walls, kids room in the cone of fire. So, if this is your situation and you have a dedicated "house gun" that seldom leaves the drawer. This may be a good choice. But would I carry it with me on my daily duties? Not if I have a choice. I will stick with my 210gr "Z-max" ammo for my carry pistol. Would I keep some in my home? Yes. Some food for thought on carry ammo. Old troopers actual, Out. |
New FFL
| Posted on March 11, 2017 at 6:33 AM |
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Has it been three years already? Feels like I just got accosted by the last agent that mad my last renew as difficult as possible. How times flys. Only had one compliance inspection in those few years, so, suppose can not complain. So, for those of my clients that have our FFL you will need to get a copy of the new license due to the current one expiring on April 1st. As for the wholesalers, most of them should have a copy of the new one already, but I may have missed a few. So, if we have please let us know. We will hopefully have a Ohio/ Michigan CCW\CPL course on the 28th of march. The location of classroom has yet to be determined. Cost will include the outdoor range. We are attempting to do as much on an outdoor range as we can. This way we can give our students a level of tactical training that we can not offer on an indoor range. And it is a lot more fun! The firearm or ammo (100 rounds required) not provided, but are available for rent. If brining a gun (please) ensure it is at least a Six (6) shot firearm with a reload (spare mag). There is a lot of reloading involved. And of course, there is the post class open shoot. The class room (6ish hours) will be on the Saturday and the range will be on the Sunday. Or at another time if the class so desires. I know, not a very interesting update... Will make up for it next time. Old troopers actual, Out. |
Owed to the mighty Auto 5
| Posted on February 1, 2017 at 5:10 PM |
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 As I wright this me left thumb is a fresh bandage due to the finely crafted, still very sharp inner receiver from my personal auto 5. So spell check is working overtime today. So those old line gunsmiths (if any of them actually read this thing) you can massage your "auto 5 scar" and reminisce with me.. Or at least stop laughing long enough....  The auto 5 for me was a gun that I never realized I wanted until I had a few come in for maintenance. well to be more exact, I had a browning auto5, a Stevens, Remington and a savage come in. One had suffered from an overcharged round, another for cleaning and the other for a few "tweeeks". And it became a very much "love hate" relationship with the browning design. First thing you will notice from a maintenance standpoint is the proliferation of screws. Tiny capture screws, large carrier screws. And when I say tiny capture screws, these make the ones on a K98 look massive in comparison. And EVERY MAJOR SCREW and even a capture pin HAS AT LEAST ONE!! So, yeah, there are a lot of screws. Are they really necessary? Honestly, not sure. Second thing you will notice is everything is very well fitted. The blue, yes, never seen one in any other original finish that was not blue. is the old line deep blue, and all the woodwork is fitted very tightly with fine checkering. Even the copy's for the most part are similarly fitted. The gun is gorgeous in its own ugly, humpback sort of way. Any well heeled sportsman of the 20's-1950's had this on his list of "prestigious guns" to buy. So, there are a few of them out there. some still minty and in the box, some beaten, broken but still serviceable. Why so many? Despite having a high price tag, they were a very well constructed gun. that will give many, many years of service. It was designed by no other than John Moses Browning around the turn of the last century. And most of you historical gun junkies know that there are quite a few of his designs still in service that are relatively unchanged. More on the Browning connection later. But, this being the proverbial "tank" of the semi auto shotgun world, they just simply do not break. But if they do... Well, that is why old gunsmiths have scars. Lots of them. Operation: This is a blow back (recoil) operated arm. So, unlike the vast majority of semi auto shotguns out there it will run most of anything. With little need to watch MOST loads. And those of you that run a semi auto know the pain of fiddling with a gas system, finding the shells that your gun "likes", and the nightmare that is cleaning on some.. This, none of that. The drawback, well.. the phrase "jackhammer" is used to describe the recoil. That is probably why all the major screws have a capture screw to keep them from backing out during operation! This may also be why they have a lot of cracked butt stocks. A recoil pad is almost a REQUIREMENT on an auto5! The truly interesting thing (for me at least) is the Auto5's method of operation. Barrel and bolt recoil as one. Initially. Once pressure drops, the bolt than continues rearward taking the fired case with it. Than is pushed forward by the stout operating spring where it picks up another shell and chambers it. Sound Familiar to any of you Machine gunners? YES!! This is the missing link (well sort of) in machine gun evolution between the colt "potato digger" and the 1917 Machine gun. I will not go into the operation of the colt MG, but think of a reversed,belt fed, lever action with the level being actuated by the blast of gas from the firing. Good concept, but a sort of evolutionary dead end. Well Browning always strove for improvement. Wanted a new MG (machine gun) to compete with the Maxim/Vickers guns. Using the delayed, recoil operation concept he learned and perfected with the auto 5, he modified it with the belt feed and top cover of his previous design of the potato digger. And , well there you have it. The 1917, water cooled MG stayed in service till after Korea, and the 1919 air cooled stayed in service with the us till the 1960's And its Big football player of a son the legendary M2 .50 cal Heavy Machine gun is still with us today. Another odd thing, the smaller (30.06) 1917 and 1919 guns used the "gas assist" recoil operation. This basically had a "cup" fitted over the muzzle with about an inch or so of space before the actual muzzle. So, much like the "Gas trap" M1 rifle. On the Browning light Machine guns, the blast of gas filled the space, assisting the barrel (that moved independently of the "muzzle cup" ) to the rear. But the mighty M2 uses the pure form of the recoil operation, without the muzzle device. Almost 100 years and still going strong. So, being a fan of "how dose this work, how did it get here, what came after" the Auto 5 fills a unique spot in my collection. Now to fire the darn thing... Old trooper Actual , OUT |
New administration, new service pistol.
| Posted on January 27, 2017 at 11:57 PM |
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Bro, do you even hunt?
| Posted on December 29, 2016 at 5:34 AM |
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Ever so often I get asked by a coustomer digging through our small sales rack if I use such and such for deer, duck, elk ect... And yes, I, at the risk of getting my "man card" pulled I will admit I do not hunt. I used to. Will admit I was not very good at it. A few times out for small game. Onece was the weekend before deer season opener on state land. Yeah, never do that... so many out rigging their blinds, stands ect.. creating more noise than a battalion of Volkstrum on the move. One squirrel, one friggin squirrel after 12 hours in the field... Once for blackpowder season with my replica 1853 enfield. Yeah, clean the bore butter out of the nipple before hunting... lessen learned there... Birds? No.. have a beautiful N.R. Davis side by side that is a gorgeous looking bird gun in form and function. Was a gift from "Mrs. Old troopers" that was to be cut down into an "Army of darkness "broomstick"" but never had the balls to cut into the gorgeous barrels. So it stays in its 32 inch barrels. Shredded a few phone books with it, shattered a few clays, but never took it to the field. All my other shotguns are either 1887, 1897 winchesters (short barreled or 16ga) or other styles of...... anti personal types. Not many game type guns. I mean I could use them if needed to, but for the most part they run light game loads for target or "AP" (anti personal) use. Just never felt the need to hunt my dinner. Ok, so I have you all wondering:"what sort of gunsmith/gun nut dose not hunt" and the enevitable "Why"? Well, there is a few semi-good reasons One: I know how the deer feel. Spend a few months in a war zone as a "pop up target" and seldom seeing the shooters. Yet always hearing the bullets wiz by. Nope, sorry... Bambi gets one shot from a rifle and one only.. here in "straight wall" rifle or shotgun territory less of a chance of getting that perfect shot. However there is a nice trapdoor Springfield carbine that qualifies! Two: you kill it,you butcher it. Well, as my lovely wife will tell you my knife skills are not the best. Compared to her, my cuts are like a blind mans.. And really, would hate to fumble through the butchery of the hard won game animal. Or, forbid, make her do it. Then there is explaining what the hell I think I am doing to the kids and why there is a dead animal in the garage next to the jeep.. And really, can not have someone else do that for me... not part of the ritual. Three: this is where all of my hunter clients come in. I have all of you! Quite a few of my clientsho fish have given us fish fillet's as payment for a transfer or repair. We like that. We will fix your mossburg that took a tumble from the tree stand. Or clear that LIVE ROUND from your inline abortion of a muzzle loader. We will do that. And are more than happy to take some of your kill as payment. Works out well for us. And it keeps me from making a fool out of myself falling asleep in a blind or stand and having a deer eat my lunch.. I have a hard enough time negotiating with the over grown shop cats. So, yeah. I do not hunt. But will fix your tools of the trade. Will recomend rifle ammo and some shotgun ammo that I have knolage of. But what works "best"....... Yeah, sorry, do not know. And yes, I am vaguely aware that this is the END of the hunting season... Just do not ask us any bow questions, we do not have a clue! On a side note. We have some nice projects in the works that will hope to have hit the sales rack soon. A few shotguns, some swords on the sales rack. Heck almost have my blunderbuss built. But actually got the shop cleaned up. Than was promptly cluttered up with a broken coffee table and now orange "cheeto" powder everywhere! Yeah, not cool..... but the holiday madness has died down. The guns waiting for pickup are either unnamed items (gee thanks shipper's) or they (the clients) want to stick my tiny shop with long term storage of their item.. my hours are not that bad are they? We really do not own a lot of counter space! Until the next, Old troopers actual Out. |
Yes I have been lazy. But.....
| Posted on November 30, 2016 at 5:27 AM |
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Well we survived the election. That was an interesting ride. Had an election, had to listen to a lot of very uninformed people on both sides. Almost left Facebook because of it. But have all of us thought that? Or have we? Made it through that, took down our "potential refugee" housing. Repacked a lot of the surpluss items. Threw away a lot of rubber boots and very stinky chem suits.Had a gun show. Sold a whopping two guns. Bought another 6. Yeah, not good. Shop still looks like a bomb hit it. But at least I know where everything is..... mostly.... that troublesome S&W semi auto conversion still sits on the bench... yeah, that has been a stone around my neck.. ugg. And then there was the most recent holiday.. so, yeah a little busy. Maybe things will get back to normal. Just now finally put price tags on any of the items that came in over the last few weeks. Heck, just now updating the darn websight! On a side note, I was reminded on why I do not go onto Century arms web sight. Another place in addition to cabellas, and the hardwear store That I can not go to unaccompanied.. need the accountant to tell me "NO". But we have a lever shotgun and an 870 project coming along with a few retractable batons and swords. Yep, stabEh/slashey things. Just what you need to fill the Christmas stocking? Well, will have stuff for the store I suppose. Little bit by little bit. Heck, I still feel like Halloween and the election just ended... wait, it is almost December? Ah, heck.... I am really glad we all made it this far! End of ramble.. Old troopers actual, Out |
The dark history of some guns.......
| Posted on October 28, 2016 at 6:34 AM |
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There are some things that collectors will get and just wonder "I wish you could talk". Firearms are no exception. We have quite the company collection of older guns. Things from the 1790's all the way up to some newer police trade pistols with some "scars". They all have a story. With guns, especially millitary ones they have date stamps, proof marks, regimental markings, ect. But that may tell you where it went. Or when it was made. But not the story behind it. This seems to be the problem with how history is thought in the modern age. It is all about dates, names and times. But that is what you can get off a SN# or a proof mark. But, now be honest here: what did you learn from memorizing enough dates and names to pass a test? Most of us retained NOTHING! But, you tell the story behind the event. Tell WHY something happened, and what was learned from it. That, that is where you learn something productive! I got into firearms as an extension to history for me. A long, long time ago I was a voulenteer at a local historical fort, spent many, many hours in research. But was fascinated by the "why" behind most of the events of the era. Why the army had more muskets than rifles, why cannon were gauged the way they were. Ect... led to WHY the battles were fought the way they were.. I thought it was fascinating at least. Although a lot of my fellow reenactors were of the "I Dunn get to shoot shit" variety. I wanted to know WHY. So fast foreword over 20 yrs. have a large collection of historical arms. All of them will tell you their story. Only if you know where to look. Every weapon that was issued to a soldier who has to bet his life on it has left an impression on his tool of choice. From the earliest matchlocks with scortchmarks from the over worked musketeer letting his match burn low to the final twists of match wrapped around the wooden stock, because he was to busy applying the bayonet or had become a casualty already. To the repaired crack when it was picked up off the battlefield to be reissued. Or to the M4 carbine (I know, not like you will ever see one of these received for civil sales) with the anodizing worn clean off one section of the lower receiver from being constantly worn against a bit of gear that would rub as the soldier moved. Scars and down the handguards and stock due to receiving heavy, brutal use. Extensive Brass knicks in the brass deflecter from heavy use. Down to the tape residue near the mag well from being taped off due to not having a mag in place, but crud still not wanted in the needed rifle. Stocks can be cleaned, metal refinished. But some wear will never leave. My first M1 had a curious bow shaped scar in the foreword handguard. Took me some time to realize that was a soldier's last impression. It was a dent from the guys THUMBNAIL! It is about 1/8 deep. There were much shallower depressions on the other side from the other four nails. Whatever happened to this guy, it was not good. Have a Hungarian army issued hi-power clone that had the most significant holster wear I have ever seen. No finish and a lot of scratches in one 3 inch area of the slide. Thinking a tanker in a worn out hip holster. My first 1911 was an Argentine copy. Police issue.... a lot of parts from other pistols went into that rattle trap to keep it running... It had knotches carved under the grips... yeah, sort of creepy there... A "Chang-ci-sheck" type 24 Mauser that cam to us with bad pitting along the wood line and gray mud under the barrel. And a €£#^}< load of yack grease ot whatever the early reds used before cosmoline. Hell, we have even had a French 1842 rifle musket that was loaded when we received it. With military ball cartrage no less! Must have been loaded for at least 100 years or so. Fortunately, just one round was down. Unlike most battlefield recovered muskets that would have one to six, yes six rounds down! But do not think that only millitary guns have history. I have a worn Winchester 1897 shotgun that was a prison guard gun. Shortened stock, but with the full field barrel with extensive wear near the muzzle from being in and out of a scabbard or wall rack constantly. My old duty pistol, a retired MSP Walther P99 qa. Had some holster wear, but the barrel was completely shot out. Still had the "law use only" marked mag. Than there is the guns that were on the other side of the law. A Toledo built Union firearms company 16ga side by side that had the triggers worked in a way that both barrels would always go off at one pull. Looks like some rum runners last resort gun.... See... story's that will tell you of a great history. But only if you know where to look. Old troopers actual, wishing you another year without seeing Roland behind you. out. |
