Western Authors: Gun Illiterate?

Don't get too wrapped up in Army/Navy designation. Here's a couple quotes on the subject:

The 'Army' and 'Navy' designations cannot reliably be used to determine the branch in which the weapon saw service. Both were used interchangeably by each service. As a matter of fact, the Army bought more of the Colt Navy model than did the Navy.

R.L.Wilson: The designation "Colt 1851 Navy" was applied by collectors, though the popular name "Navy Revolver" is of early origin, as the gun was frequently called the "Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber.
Despite the "Navy" designation, the revolver was chiefly purchased by civilians and military land forces(ibid Wilson 1985)."
 
I would think that if there had ever been a 51 Navy in .44 there would be one in the Colt factory collection.
Click to expand...

Like I said, I saw, in the Colt Collection at the Connecticut State Library, a
.44 caliber revolver with an octagonal barrel and a hinged loading lever. Was it mass produced? Apparently not. But it existed. In fact, I saw Bigfoot shooting at stumps with that exact same revolver.
 
Pohill, how old are you, 9 ?

every one of your posts is a silly flame, and your posts reflect badly on firearms owners in general. We have enough problems with the US Government trying to take away our guns, without you acting an imbecile on the net gun boards- harassing other gun owners, shooters, and hobbyists.

the anti-gunners would have a field day with a guy like you

"look at how immature these guys are, would you trust them with a gun ?"

grow up, act responsibly when you post- you represent gun owners everywhere, with every post
 
One of the old time western writers who knew guns was E.B. Mann. Many of his stories have to do with guns and one involves knowing that the Colt SAA and the S&W Schofield have opposite rifling twists.

Colt never produced a "Navy" in .44, though the common 1860 Army used the same frame with only a minor modification. There was at least one experimental Navy in .40 caliber; it was never put into production, but would have been interesting.

Just out of curiosity, why would a .44 with a brass frame blow up, when .36 caliber brass frames don't? Obviously brass was not as strong as the iron commonly used, but it held up well enough for normal use.

The common terms "army" and "navy" seem to have ante-dated Colt. The Navy often used a smaller caliber; the reason given was that the Navy did not have to shoot horses, while that was the normal way to stop a cavalry charge.

Jim
 
Hey, CaptainCrossman, I'm bent over - kiss my arse. What the hell are you talking about? And who the hell do you think you are? If I could pick one person on this forum that should not own a gun, it is you. God help us if you're representative of gun owners, you self serving moron.
 
I own 140+ of Louis L'Amour's books. The first thing to remember is that he was primarily a writer. He had many life experiences, no doubt, but he was a writer.

As such, going into too much detail can overtake the storyline and bore readers. My take is that he had friends that were into guns that he relied on for info. I have a couple of friends that are authors and they hit me up a few times a year about guns, boats, the swamp........
 
Pohill - ignore him. We all know his problem. He intentionally posts provocative material with the sole intention of getting a response. The best thing to do is just ignore him and he'll go away eventually.
 
Hey, PO,

I have talked to you elsewhere, like VOY, and for some years. I would sooner listen to you than to the illustrious Captain Crossman.

And I don't really like you as you are a MA or VE or NH resident. Should that VE be VT? A cop actually, and you have to go to the next state to buy a pistol.

Nah, gotta be MA to be taboo.

Cheers,

George
 
It is hard for me to accept that Louis L'amour has been found to be fallible. :eek:

Before such a heinous accusation can be brought, I believe we owe him the due diligence he deserves and has rightfully earned...
 
Louis was not wrong ... I have an 1851 Navy .44 cal in my hand as we speak... So rest easy Louis L. has not been disproven :O)
 
Back when I was a kid I loved westerns but when I got older and learned about guns and history, I got so I hated reading or watching westerns on TV or movies. The guns and clothes were just not accurate.

I came across Louis L'Amour and found his novels to be much better than most. What got me was you rarely read about anyone reloading their C&B revolvers while in a gunfight... Lots of shooting but little reloading LOL...

As for movies, it hasn't been until the last few years when they actually tried to be accurate in the guns they show being used... Even then some are a bit questionable...

LOL Another thing I always hated was how the hero in the novel or movie was always so noble. They rarely attacked the main villain directly.. Heck if it were me and some big ranch owner or bad guy was sending his thugs out, I would just go wait for the main bad guy and off him... Nothing like a rifle shot from cover to take care of problems... situation solved... LOL...
 
Gomez,

You might be surprised to know that the law was at LEAST as tenacious back then as it is now. Hudson Bay Company spent LOTS of time in court.

You did NOT just go shoot someone who ****** you off. YOU would be the jailee.

L'Amour, like Heinlien and a few others, got religion in their last years. I don't know why they have to repent when they feel they are mortal.

L'Amour went with the Walking Drum and ... I gotta go dig them out to see what his mortality books were.

One of his best was "Bendigo Shafter", ALL about how people 150 years ago spent their evenings.NOT watching TV.

Selleck, and Eastwood movies are close on firearms of the period. Selleck has fought Rosie Odonnel about whether people should be allowed to OWN firearms, and I think all of you should give him a rousing cheer for being one of us.

Rosie is FAMOUS for trying to outlaw guns in anybody's hands except for hers and other rich people whose kids MIGHT be kidnap bait. THEY hire armed guards to protect them. "Take the bullet." Cowardly pussies. Pay some poor sumbitch to take a bullet for them.

BUT, YOU should not be allowed to own any type of firearm , because, "THINK of the CHILDREN. If even ONE life is saved, it would be worth it." XX thou people killed by all methods, and IF ONE does not get shot, it will be all worth ALL of you foregoing all them stinking firearms.

Cheers,

George
 
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