Good to be home....

by Brian A, Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 08:37 (3205 days ago)

Spent a couple weeks on the road and had a couple nice sixshooter relevant moments. First, got to share a dinner with Pokono Joe in Pigeon Forge, TN and had an excellent time swapping stories, a very fine gentleman indeed.

Second, had the chance to visit the NRA firearms museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO. They have a very good little museum there, but not perfect. I was surprised to see an 1888 Commission Rifle sporter described as a Mannlicher Schoenauer, and a Mannlicher Schoenauer carbine described as a model 1903 in 7 mm.

Told the curator that Schoenauer invented the rotary magazine, so while the Commission rifle action was developed by Mannlicher, it was not a Mannlicher Shoenauer. Also indicated they need to do some research because I believe the 1903 carbine was a 6.5 mm, as the 1908 was an 8 mm, and while the carbines were made in 7 mm, it is unlikely to be a model 1903.

Finally, was surprised to see a Sharps rifle described as the gun Charleton Heston held up at the NRA convention during his famous 'cold dead hands' speech. Every clip I have ever seen of that event showed him holding a flintlock rifle. The curator explained that he made the speech a few times and used different rifles each time, even producing a photo of Mr Heston holding the Sharps aloft.

The curator was very cordial while we debated these exhibits, but I am not so sure they would welcome me back in the future. LOL