Bill Jordan and the S&W Model 19...

[epj]

Kevin:

As I understand it, they were good friends. They traded playful barbs like that quite a bit, including in print in Shooting Times.

Skelton told the story of being at some gathering with Jordan which resulted in some impromptu target practice. According to Skelton, Jordan tried Skelton's Model 19, on which Skelton had worked over the action.

Skelton said Jordan liked it so much he switched grips, holstered Skelton's Model 19 and said, "When you get the action on mine as smooth as yours, we'll trade back."

According to Skelton, he was on Patrol a few nights later when he had to shoot at a "contrabandista"* from quite a distance in the dark. He later found the gent's hat with a bullet hole through the top and said that "Jordan's damned old gun shot high."

Now, whether this happened, or whether it was one of Skelton's yarns is not known to me, but it was a good story nonetheless.

In any event, I believe Jordan and Skeeter were friends, and I thought I remembered seeing some pictures of them together on hunts and so forth.

Best regards,

Shawn

*smuggler, trafficker

I remember reading this story years ago.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, the Jordan-Skelton exchanges were meant to stir up reader interest, add some humor. I remember articles where Jordan and Askins "debated" the merits of the revolver vs. the semiauto for defense, Jordan pointed out that in his gun fighting days Charlie used revolvers.
I find it interesting that Jordan preferred the K frame to the N frame, I note that about the same time S&W introduced the Combat Magnum they introduced the Highway Patrolman.

 

[sigp220.45]

Askins used to call Jordan the guy who wrote a book about gunfighting without ever being in a gunfight. As noted above, he did kill his boss showing off his quick draw skills with his new Combat Magnum.

It was definitely a different world then. Now days he'd be fired at the very least, and most likely prosecuted.

That said, if I had to knock back a few with either Askins or Jordan, I'd take Jordan.

 

[Muley Gil]

Askins used to call Jordan the guy who wrote a book about gunfighting without ever being in a gunfight. As noted above, he did kill his boss showing off his quick draw skills with his new Combat Magnum.

It was definitely a different world then. Now days he'd be fired at the very least, and most likely prosecuted.

That said, if I had to knock back a few with either Askins or Jordan, I'd take Jordan.

If doing so would make Charlie angry, I'd drink with him instead! I wouldn't want Charlie Askins mad at me!!!

 

[Doc44]

The early Highway Patrolman revolvers were completed in April 1954. But it is interesting the first .357 Combat Magnum and the first 44 Magnum were completed on the same day, December 15, 1955.

Bill

 

[Jack Flash]

The early Highway Patrolman revolvers were completed in April 1954. But it is interesting the first .357 Combat Magnum and the first 44 Magnum were completed on the same day, December 15, 1955.

Bill

Interesting, and it makes a lot of sense when you think about it for a minute.

The HP was based on a revolver already in production with the same frame and caliber, so how much development / testing would have been required? Little or none, I would guess.

 

[Engine49guy]

Interestingly while the 44 Magnum was introduced with a 6.5" barrel on a 5 screw frame the Combat Magnum was introduced with a four inch barrel and the new 4 screw frame.
Another interesting comparison is that while the four inch 44 Magnum was introduced in late 1956 the 6" Combat Magnum wasn't offered until the early 1960's.

 

[Octagun]

I just got my first copy in the mail today. Looking forward to reading it soon.

 

[tflt]

No Second Place Winner

So this thread taught me I need a copy of No Second Place Winner for my collection. I started to bid on a paperback copy on ebay, when my wife said get the hard cover if you want it as a collectable, she's more bookie than me and promptly found it cheaper used on that rotten amazon. Anyhow it looks like she pulled a signed copy out of thin air for me.


Milton Henriquez should know his copy is well respected and in a good home.

 

[Octagun]

Nice find! From reading this thread I was starting to think every book was signed. Every copy but mine perhaps!

 

[PALADIN85020]

Interesting. I read somewhere that generic autographs in a book will be worth more in the future, because they are NOT penned to a specific person. However, if the specific person is a celebrity, of course, the autograph would certainly be worth more.

John

 

[Muley Gil]

Interesting. I read somewhere that generic autographs in a book will be worth more in the future, because they are NOT penned to a specific person. However, if the specific person is a celebrity, of course, the autograph would certainly be worth more.

John

I just checked my copy and it is signed "With best wishes Bill Jordan".

However, it is signed on the BACK page, upside down.

Does that make it worth more?