I resemble that "Old Timer" remark, LOL!!!
From what this Ole Timer remembers, the term "Kit Gun" goes back a lot further than a few decades.
"Kit" was a term used to describe the Gear a man used, to live or "Make a living". Soldiers, Sailors, frontiersman, trappers, miners, cowhands, later outdoorsmen, hikers, campers took up the use of the term.
It was also common in the Victorian era for all travelers to have there established traveling Kit, that among other things would most likely contain smaller "Kits" such as shaving kits, toilet kits, barber kits, and what would become known today as a First Aid Kit.
The common thread amongst such kits was that they contained certain items that the owner considered standard if not essential. So that rather than a random conglomeration of "stuff" a kit would have a known or expected list of gear to satisfy its intended purpose.
Think Gun cleaning "Kit"... The "Kit Gun" was a component of many types of "Kit" but most especially those of the outdoorsmen and soldiers.
Kit guns, in todays vernacular might be more thought of as "Back up" guns, as they were usually not everyday sidearms as much as a spare. In that role, from what I've read "Kit Guns" were not standard at all in size or caliber.
Though size and weight was, often a factor. To some, the considerations for choosing were more specific. Commonality of caliber or even duplication of their everyday sidearm was of greater importance.
As the terminology changed with time and custom, the term "Kit" has slowly faded in original meaning.
Today a "Kit Gun" is often thought of as a Sidearm for the outdoors-person, rather than its component back-up role. Further the adoption of of the name "Kit Gun" to designate a particular model, as in S&Ws fine J frame rim fires, has gradually blurred the original meaning and intent of the term.
Therefore many folks,whose only exposure to "Kit Guns" is through models so named, have developed the idea that only 22 rim fires are true "Kit Guns"
Wrong,?? yes technically, but its kind of like all the shooters who use the term "Clip" instead of "Magazine". We all know what they mean despite the incorrect usage of the term.
So is the "Kit Gun" dead? Hardly !! Many of us have designated guns that we use as BUGs for everyday carry or guns that are relegated to the glove compartment or consoles of our vehicles. No different than the KG that nestled in your great great granddads saddlebag wrapped in oilcloth.
Certainly keeping a neat little package nicked away in your backpack, tackle box or the panier's of your touring bike is all in keeping with the spirit of the KIT GUN
From what this Ole Timer remembers, the term "Kit Gun" goes back a lot further than a few decades.
"Kit" was a term used to describe the Gear a man used, to live or "Make a living". Soldiers, Sailors, frontiersman, trappers, miners, cowhands, later outdoorsmen, hikers, campers took up the use of the term.
It was also common in the Victorian era for all travelers to have there established traveling Kit, that among other things would most likely contain smaller "Kits" such as shaving kits, toilet kits, barber kits, and what would become known today as a First Aid Kit.
The common thread amongst such kits was that they contained certain items that the owner considered standard if not essential. So that rather than a random conglomeration of "stuff" a kit would have a known or expected list of gear to satisfy its intended purpose.
Think Gun cleaning "Kit"... The "Kit Gun" was a component of many types of "Kit" but most especially those of the outdoorsmen and soldiers.
Kit guns, in todays vernacular might be more thought of as "Back up" guns, as they were usually not everyday sidearms as much as a spare. In that role, from what I've read "Kit Guns" were not standard at all in size or caliber.
Though size and weight was, often a factor. To some, the considerations for choosing were more specific. Commonality of caliber or even duplication of their everyday sidearm was of greater importance.
As the terminology changed with time and custom, the term "Kit" has slowly faded in original meaning.
Today a "Kit Gun" is often thought of as a Sidearm for the outdoors-person, rather than its component back-up role. Further the adoption of of the name "Kit Gun" to designate a particular model, as in S&Ws fine J frame rim fires, has gradually blurred the original meaning and intent of the term.
Therefore many folks,whose only exposure to "Kit Guns" is through models so named, have developed the idea that only 22 rim fires are true "Kit Guns"
Wrong,?? yes technically, but its kind of like all the shooters who use the term "Clip" instead of "Magazine". We all know what they mean despite the incorrect usage of the term.
So is the "Kit Gun" dead? Hardly !! Many of us have designated guns that we use as BUGs for everyday carry or guns that are relegated to the glove compartment or consoles of our vehicles. No different than the KG that nestled in your great great granddads saddlebag wrapped in oilcloth.
Certainly keeping a neat little package nicked away in your backpack, tackle box or the panier's of your touring bike is all in keeping with the spirit of the KIT GUN
