Just as we continue to try to perfect projectiles in the 21st century, the same was true back in the 19th century. Buck-and-ball fired from a shotgun allowed the shooter to have multiple projectiles per shot at their disposal. In theory, this improved the likelihood of hitting your target, but it wasn’t always the … Read more
At least in my experience, the modern gun show sucks. Huge letdown. It’s full of striker-fired polymer-frame pistols, AR-15s, Wish-quality optics, and everything wears an extreme markup. Don’t forget the cheap Chinese knives, the sound of tasers, and, of course, the random pyramid scheme. So, imagine my shock when my little town had its first … Read more
I get a certain level of pain when I see a cool old rifle get “modernized,” whether it’s historical or not. Even, in this case, the attempt at modernization sets me off. The only good news in doing that is that it destroys the gun’s value and allows me to scoop it up for next … Read more
Because of my involvement in the Civilian Marksmanship Program sports and similar hobbies surrounding old military rifles, I often find myself in an ethical debate with my fellow competitors and enthusiasts. In a loud world of dime-a-dozen AR clones and wannabe snipers assembling parts builds out of multi-thousand dollar actions, the (relatively) quiet debate over … Read more
For most of its history, Smith & Wesson had been known for producing high quality revolvers. When the polymer pistol craze began, S&W jumped on the bandwagon as well and, while they still make a wide variety of revolvers, are mostly known for their pistols and AR-15 rifles – at least to the younger generation … Read more
Guns made by Portsmouth, Virginia-based Thomas W. Cofer are some of the rarest examples of Confederate revolvers. Based on the Whitney Navy, estimates put total production numbers somewhere between 86 and 140; less than 10 are known to exist today. The biggest visual differentiation between the Whitney and Cofer revolvers is that Cofer’s gun features … Read more
Revolvers made by Dance are some of the most distinctive guns to come out of the south. While they are copied from the Colt Dragoon, they differ in a very important aspect of appearance. Dance revolvers lack a recoil shield on both sides of the gun, giving their frame a very flat look. Made in … Read more
The Spiller and Burr factory was originally established in Richmond, Virginia, as the brainchild of wealthy businessmen Edward Spiller and David Burr, along with firearms expert James Burton. Burr was a southern sympathizer running a commission business in Baltimore, Maryland; Spiller was born and raised in Richmond where he made steam engines and locomotives. Burton … Read more
Before the Civil War, Samuel Griswold was a successful businessman, having found a good living making cotton gins. Business was so good that he purchased 4,000 acres outside of Macon, Georgia, where he established and named a town after himself – Griswoldville, Georgia. Arvin Gunnison had worked for Griswold many years before the war started. … Read more
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