Kreyzhorse
New member
Got a good chuckle out of that....
So what's wrong with this gun ad?
- Thread starter IMTHDUKE
- Start date
Got a good chuckle out of that....
The "automatic" referred to the automatic ejection of cartridge cases when the gun was opened, as opposed to the manual ejection required in swing-out cylinder guns (S&W actually called theirs "hand ejectors").
The "safety" referred to the use of a transfer bar to prevent the gun from firing if the hammer was struck or the gun dropped on the hammer. In addition, the trigger pull was too heavy for a child, so the gun really was safe, though I can't imagine any gun company using such a "politically incorrect" ad today.
As to the spelling argument, the spelling with "ae" or "æ" (called a ligature) is older and primarily British, while the spelling with "e" is later and primarily American. Both are correct and either can be used except when referring to a copyrighted name (e.g. The Encylclopædia Britannica).
Jim
The "safety" referred to the use of a transfer bar to prevent the gun from firing if the hammer was struck or the gun dropped on the hammer. In addition, the trigger pull was too heavy for a child, so the gun really was safe, though I can't imagine any gun company using such a "politically incorrect" ad today.
As to the spelling argument, the spelling with "ae" or "æ" (called a ligature) is older and primarily British, while the spelling with "e" is later and primarily American. Both are correct and either can be used except when referring to a copyrighted name (e.g. The Encylclopædia Britannica).
Jim
This ad was part of an email that included (among other things) an ad for "sanitized tapeworms" for weight loss, using Lysol as a douche, endorsement of cigarettes by doctors, and a few other eye-poppers.
Regarding the Safety Hammerless Automatic Revolver (which refers to its function of automatically ejecting shells when opened), it was generally conceded that the trigger pull was so horrendously hard that a child couldn't operate it. In addition, the trigger had a small safety bar (later copied by Glock) that kept the trigger from catching on something and causing an A.D. Furthermore, the firing pin was acted upon by a transfer bar (which Ruger later copied) that interposed itself between the hammer and pin at the moment of firing.
I would say that, at the time this ad was published, there was a whole lot MORE common sense in America, and a whole lot LESS lawyers.
Regarding the Safety Hammerless Automatic Revolver (which refers to its function of automatically ejecting shells when opened), it was generally conceded that the trigger pull was so horrendously hard that a child couldn't operate it. In addition, the trigger had a small safety bar (later copied by Glock) that kept the trigger from catching on something and causing an A.D. Furthermore, the firing pin was acted upon by a transfer bar (which Ruger later copied) that interposed itself between the hammer and pin at the moment of firing.
I would say that, at the time this ad was published, there was a whole lot MORE common sense in America, and a whole lot LESS lawyers.
Remington 51
New member
They weren't bad revolvers. They shot straight and would kill. My father had one in the '50's (in .32 S & W long) and it was the first gun I ever shot. He kept it loaded. I knew where it was. But I knew enough never to touch it unless he handed it to me. What's wrong with THAT picture?
What's "wrong" with the ad? Nothing. It was from a time when common sense was a commonly held assumption.
What's "wrong" with the ad? Nothing. It was from a time when common sense was a commonly held assumption.
I don't see anything wrong about this ad. By the time I was that girl's age, I already had a bedtime gun. Didn't everyone? It beat Hell out of a security blanket, which is a stupid concept when you think of it. How do you defend yourself with a damn blanket?
My bedtime gun was a 1908 Dreyse, .32 semi-auto, which my Grandad brought home after fighting the Kaiser. Dad passed it onto me, told me if I shot myself with it he'd beat my a$$.
Then again, I'm from West (By God!) Virginia.
My bedtime gun was a 1908 Dreyse, .32 semi-auto, which my Grandad brought home after fighting the Kaiser. Dad passed it onto me, told me if I shot myself with it he'd beat my a$$.
Then again, I'm from West (By God!) Virginia.
IJ also made bicycles back in the day.
Adjust that $6 for inflation, and you probably still can buy one, today.
What is missing from that ad, is the implied "when used correctly". And it is only missing, because today we expect it to be there. Back then, it was commonly understood that guns "are safe" and "won't hurt us" when used correctly!
The fundamental belief that men were smarter than machines, and if you didn't know how to operate something, you needed to learn before doing it, or you could get hurt, seems to have gone away in the world today.
"I didn't know it would hurt me" has become a way to make money for lawyers, and their stupid clients. HOT COFFEE will hurt you! FIRE BURNS!, GUNS SHOOT, bullets come out the end of the barrel! Imagine that?!
Since we now have warning labels on everything except people (where, perhaps they would actually serve a useful function) how it it that we still have people getting hurt from their own stupidity? Some things just boggle the mind.
Adjust that $6 for inflation, and you probably still can buy one, today.
What is missing from that ad, is the implied "when used correctly". And it is only missing, because today we expect it to be there. Back then, it was commonly understood that guns "are safe" and "won't hurt us" when used correctly!
The fundamental belief that men were smarter than machines, and if you didn't know how to operate something, you needed to learn before doing it, or you could get hurt, seems to have gone away in the world today.
"I didn't know it would hurt me" has become a way to make money for lawyers, and their stupid clients. HOT COFFEE will hurt you! FIRE BURNS!, GUNS SHOOT, bullets come out the end of the barrel! Imagine that?!
Since we now have warning labels on everything except people (where, perhaps they would actually serve a useful function) how it it that we still have people getting hurt from their own stupidity? Some things just boggle the mind.
HoraceHogsnort
New member
gyvel wrote: "I would say that, at the time this ad was published, there was a whole lot MORE common sense in America, and a whole lot LESS lawyers."
That should be "....a whole lot FEWER lawyers." Sorry, I'm a real anal toad over the destruction of plural vs. singular in American society today.
That should be "....a whole lot FEWER lawyers." Sorry, I'm a real anal toad over the destruction of plural vs. singular in American society today.
ScottRiqui
New member
We can joke about our modern litigious society, but I still think the ad portrays a scene that even today would be viewed as irresponsible by most - a very young girl (presumably unsupervised), who may or may not even be awake, with a (loaded?) handgun on her lap.
Any company that published a similar ad today would be rightfully crucified, if not by their lawyers, then hopefully by the responsible gun-owning public.
Any company that published a similar ad today would be rightfully crucified, if not by their lawyers, then hopefully by the responsible gun-owning public.
Glenn Bartley
New member
I do not see anything at all wrong with the advertisement. 
As a matter of fact, if I had an original, in excellent condition, I would only see good coming from it, as in money from selling it. Ephemera like that can be quite valuable to the serious collector.
All the best,
GB
As a matter of fact, if I had an original, in excellent condition, I would only see good coming from it, as in money from selling it. Ephemera like that can be quite valuable to the serious collector.All the best,
GB
Edward429451
Moderator
(Oh give me a break! Even irresponsible parents wouldn't drop a loaded handgun on the kids bed and walk away! That's against reason
) When I looked at the ad, I presumed that dad was barely off camera sitting on the bed. I know this because I've been there with my sons at bedtime while they were growing up, (Ruger Bearcat). The young girl is bored! I am glad I had two sons! Average Joe
New member
The girl doesn't have her ear or eye protection on.
I wouldn't say an IJ doesn't shoot straight. My grandmother shot and stopped 2 men with one.
One man was about to hit my grandfather in the back of the head with a 48” pipe wrench.
The other man was breaking into the house thru the window next to my bed.
When asked why she didn't kill 'em she said, “I didn't want kill 'em, I just wanted to stop 'em.”
One man was about to hit my grandfather in the back of the head with a 48” pipe wrench.
The other man was breaking into the house thru the window next to my bed.
When asked why she didn't kill 'em she said, “I didn't want kill 'em, I just wanted to stop 'em.”
TylerD45ACP
New member
^+ an infinite amount. I was thinking the exact same think after reading the second to last post then saw yours and it couldn't have been said better.
ClayInTx----" The wrong is our litigious society of today, the lack of common sense, and the weenies scared of guns." He is absolutley right, that is how it was back in those days, 16 year old kids carried their guns all the time. Everyone had a gun, and guess what, people knew how to use them. Granted you have your idiots everywhere but the majority of people were very familiar with firearms. I love the old western time period 1850-1900. It should be similar today, obviously not holsters strapped to our leg, but more people should have more firearms. I also believe a carry free zone to be a bad idea. I mean if someone was carrying during Fort Hood or Virigina Tech they could have stopped those horrible attacks and that bothers me. I feel so bad for the victims, I wish somone was carrying
. R.I.P. to everyone harmed ever because of stupid anti carry rules.
ClayInTx----" The wrong is our litigious society of today, the lack of common sense, and the weenies scared of guns." He is absolutley right, that is how it was back in those days, 16 year old kids carried their guns all the time. Everyone had a gun, and guess what, people knew how to use them. Granted you have your idiots everywhere but the majority of people were very familiar with firearms. I love the old western time period 1850-1900. It should be similar today, obviously not holsters strapped to our leg, but more people should have more firearms. I also believe a carry free zone to be a bad idea. I mean if someone was carrying during Fort Hood or Virigina Tech they could have stopped those horrible attacks and that bothers me. I feel so bad for the victims, I wish somone was carrying
. R.I.P. to everyone harmed ever because of stupid anti carry rules.The art is, of course, open to interpretation, but how old do you think that girl is supposed to be? 8-9? 12? 6?
Society's standards have changed alot since that ad was printed (pre 1900, I expect?). What children grow up with, and when they can be expected to be safe and responsible with things is a lot different today than it was then.
Those children grew up in a more "primitive" society, at least in the technological sense. We were less coddled and protected about a lot of things in those days.
Even in major metropolitan cities, there were shooting galleries on the streets, open to anyone who walked up, and could see over the front of the booth to shoot. In more rural settings, boys of 8 might be out hunting small game with a .22 rifle, not just for sport, but for the family dinner! And most country girls also learned what guns were and what bullets did, in real world, first person experience.
Personally, I would trust an 1888 8yr old girl with a loaded Iver Johnson more than I would trust a 2010 14 yr old with a GLock!
The whole business of children not being allowed to be around guns, for "safety" is a fairly recent thing. As is the horrid decline in the standard of parental conduct. Too many, today, get ALL their firearms experience from TV, video games, and the criminal element on the street. Without a balancing positive image of guns, its no wonder so many people are scared to death of them. Note that still today in more rural areas, where guns are still used in positive ways (not just for self defense) the general attitude is much less hostile to gun ownership.
With some few exceptions, our children are bright enough to be safe, if raised the right way. Many, many generations of children have grown up in households with guns in them, often unsecured, and even (gasp
) loaded, without accident or becoming criminals and mass murderers.
Today, we nearly always automatically feel that children and firearms are an automatic tragedy, because we have been trained to feel that way, both by the popular media, and the sad state of child rearing common in the nation these past few decades.
Accidents do happen, but they happen more often to people (grown up and otherwise) who do not know much about what guns are, and do. And sadly, that is the society we have created in the last half century, more so than any other time in history.
Society's standards have changed alot since that ad was printed (pre 1900, I expect?). What children grow up with, and when they can be expected to be safe and responsible with things is a lot different today than it was then.
Those children grew up in a more "primitive" society, at least in the technological sense. We were less coddled and protected about a lot of things in those days.
Even in major metropolitan cities, there were shooting galleries on the streets, open to anyone who walked up, and could see over the front of the booth to shoot. In more rural settings, boys of 8 might be out hunting small game with a .22 rifle, not just for sport, but for the family dinner! And most country girls also learned what guns were and what bullets did, in real world, first person experience.
Personally, I would trust an 1888 8yr old girl with a loaded Iver Johnson more than I would trust a 2010 14 yr old with a GLock!
The whole business of children not being allowed to be around guns, for "safety" is a fairly recent thing. As is the horrid decline in the standard of parental conduct. Too many, today, get ALL their firearms experience from TV, video games, and the criminal element on the street. Without a balancing positive image of guns, its no wonder so many people are scared to death of them. Note that still today in more rural areas, where guns are still used in positive ways (not just for self defense) the general attitude is much less hostile to gun ownership.
With some few exceptions, our children are bright enough to be safe, if raised the right way. Many, many generations of children have grown up in households with guns in them, often unsecured, and even (gasp
) loaded, without accident or becoming criminals and mass murderers. Today, we nearly always automatically feel that children and firearms are an automatic tragedy, because we have been trained to feel that way, both by the popular media, and the sad state of child rearing common in the nation these past few decades.
Accidents do happen, but they happen more often to people (grown up and otherwise) who do not know much about what guns are, and do. And sadly, that is the society we have created in the last half century, more so than any other time in history.