I was feeling reflective tonight and thought about those great catalogs put out by Gil Hebard. Unfortunately, my collection got lost in one of my moves over the years. Anybody else remember those catalogs?

28 Shooter, reading your post brought back memories. I still have a few of those catalogs packed away. Used to read those while aboard ship. Thanks, Dave

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Dave

I had occasion to talk to Gil, a few times, couple of years ago...Helped me research some Rugers......

Class act.....

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Non gratum anus rodentum

Gil Hebard had a bunch of neat things in those old catalogs. I bought a Bushnell spotting scope and a Pachmayr pistol case from him during the early seventies. I wonder if he and his wife, Mary?, are still alive.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

When I got my FFL I bought many revolvers from them, for my self and others, I got out after Clinton was elected president, but I have 3 of the catalogs left along with the dealer price list, looking at the price list now makes me want to cry the prices on S&W's were very reasonable. I wish now I had put my IRA money in them, but like the others said he was a very class act and very good author in some of my old Gun Digests, wish they were still in business. Jeff

I had to take turns dispatching when I was on the PD. I spent many hours perusing those old wish books while doing the midnight shift.

I have two copies of the Pistol Shooter's Treasury. I read it and highlighted it so much that it started to fall apart so I sent for another. I wrote Gil how helpful and important his book was to me and he autographed the copy. It's in my nightstand drawer. I have a lot of respect for him.
Chris

I have a copy from 1969.
I marked a lot of guns in it as ones I wanted. Have many of them now but it took quite a while.

I learned to shoot from the Gil Hebard catalogues, back when the front half was articles by the top shooters in the country, and the back half was catalog. He certainly was a terrific support of the pistol shooting sports, particularly bullseye. Still is.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I came across an old one from about 1960 or so. I was reading an article about famous pistol shooter's when my dad came into the office. I showed him the old book and the article I was reading about a man named Joe Benner (sp). It turns out Joe was my dads 1rst seargent when he was stationed in Panama. Dad said he was an unbelievable good shot and could hold a .45 at arms length for like 15 minutes without it shaking.He also said one time they rigged up a .45 by messing with the sights real bad and telling the 1rst sgt. nobody could hit anything with this particular pistol. Joe fired one shot to see where the bullet went and then put the rest of the them in the x-ring.He told them nothing was wrong with the gun and not to mess with the sights any more. I believe dad also said he was an olympic shooter. Anyway, it was a great catalog and I wish I had a "way back" machine like Bullwinkle so I could order about half the stuff they offered.

I've loaned out my copy of "The Pistol Shooters Treasury" to a lot of new shooters. The pages are falling out now but still readable. The gun box scope mount he invented graces my gun box along with the Bushnell 20X scope that is perfect for bullseye shooting. An older fellow in our club used to shoot with Gill at Camp Perry. Unfortunately he is passed away now also.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Bullseye shooting is an unappreciated, or maybe under-appreciated art. It requires a lot of dedication and effort and I am grateful for the time that I was involved in it. It may not be exciting to a lot of people, but you surely learn the fundamentals and that transfers to all the other disciplines.
Anyone that has that Distinguished Badge knows how to shoot.
JMO. Chris

For those of you reminiscing about the old Gil Hebard Guns catalogs, Gil still has a number of copies of old catalogs that he sells for a few dollars and you can order by phone - 309 289-2700 or fax 309 289-2233 and use a credit card.

By the way, Gil is still alive (93 years old) and at work every day.

Kathy

If you have ever been to his gunshop, it's postage stamp size out front. He's a very helpful guy and I believe his daughter runs everything now.

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Dick

Gil is a heck of a nice guy and a good man. His shooting ability was superb. Every chance I get whenever I am in the Knoxville area I try to stop and visit.

I've always enjoyed his articles in old Gun Digests; very knowledgeable, and you can tell he's a class act.

Man, I sure miss my copy of "The Pistol Shooter's Treasury". I know I loaned it out to another shooter.

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

I treasured the things obtained from Gil's catalogs circa 1979. I still have a couple items, plus memories....no catalogs left though.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Gil Hebard was my go to source for shooting supplies throughout the 1970's and later. I was a young police officer and bought many great products from him taking advantage of the law enforcement discount. The prices were great, the merchandise was top notch, and the customer service was unrivaled. I too learned much of my early shooting skills from the book sections of his catalogs. Still have my "Pistol Shooter's Treasury" and his Catalog #20 (1970) that I occasionally take out, browse and reminisce. I still have the shooter's box, target overlays, plug gauges, etc., that I purchased there during that golden age. Yes, he is definitely a class act.

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S&W Armorer
Lost in the 50s

I still have my Gil Hebbard catalogs.
Actually I met and shot with him at Camp Perry. He would carry a "Book of one Dollar bills, and would bet you a dollar, that he could beat you in a particular match. So I made several "Bets" with him. It had already been established, that at the end of the National Matches, He and several others would be dining with the guys from Texas at the Winery at Port Clinton.

I had one every bet I had made with him. So at the dinner, pictures were taken with him "paying me" every Dollar I had won from him. He signed every one. I still have them. On one of them he signed, " You Whipped my ***"... I was a young kid compared to him, and he was tickled that I had beat him. He was a CLASS ACT, and a very nice, friendly guy. I will never forget Him.

He was an Icon in Bullseye Shooting.
I am proud to have known him.

Dig these Gil Hebard papers....

My expereince mirrors yours...I found out about Hebard in 1973 and started taking advantage of the LE discount soon there after. I had shot for three years on the NJ Air guard Team and met Gil at the Winston Cup Matches in 73 or maybe 1972??

Still have my little sight blackener , haven't used it in 30 years. Passed my Gun-Ho five pistol shooters box on to someone else years ago. Do still have a few of the early 1970's catalogs though. The prices are laughable.

I enjoyed bullseye back then. Too bad it's all but dead now.

FN in MT

Bullseye isn't dead. It is under-appreciated. Look at the Camp Perry stats, lots of shooters there. I had a conversation with Doug Koenig at the Masters a couple years ago,m and he told me his success has partly been to the discipline of bullseye shooting. He first shot the Masters and the Precision event is all one handed bullseye type shooting. He claims it taught him so much more about the "basics" than any other style of shooting.

We still have a indoor winter bullseye league, .22rf only, that lasts 10 weeks Jan to March. Last year we had all 20 firing points filled and some doubled up on. Just can't get it going outdoor's Too many other things to do in nice weather.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I started out using his Pistol Shooter's Treasury for Bullseye in 1967 and later made a pistol box using his scope mount.

He now has a website and carries some of his special accessories. So quit your crying and place an order.

Gil Hebard Products :: Bullseye Gear


41

Everything I looked at was "Out of Stock".

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S&WHF 366

Gil is still kicking. Can't speak for his wife. He still has a gun shop in Knoxville, Illinois.

Absolutly. I remember seeing the MOD 41 for the first time in the late 60s. I also remember seeing the "Gyro-Jet" in a Gil Hebard cataloge, if anyone remembers that dog.

Shooters, I just joined this forum, and the words are sad: my old friend Gil passed away Sunday10/28/2012. My sons, all 3, were counting brass on the floor of his small storefront shop. I'd vowed to buy another pistol from him by Christmas; that won't happen now. Over the past few years, each time I'd asked what his plans for selling the store I'd get the same answer: "It's just not a good time to get into the gun business." Perhaps he meant that all of his contacts in the field would not be there for "the new guy"; perhaps he just wanted things as they were. Rest well, Gil. Too many didn't know you.

Sad news. I've been to his shop a few times, he and my Dad were friends. I grew up in a little town right next to Knoxville.

I live in Galesburg which is very close to Knoxville. I first met Gil 15 years ago. I was surprised at how small the shop was. I bought my S&W 686+ from him. My first gun that I'll never part with.

Gil always had time to help me if I had a problem and mentored me in the fine art of Bullseye. I never rose very far up the classifications but Gil was always supportive and encouraged me to keep working on it.

The counter lady is named Denise. What a treat to do business with. She is very knowledgable and if she doesn't know the answer, she'll get it. She's not related to Gil. to the best of my knowledge but she'd be able to take over the reins if she's given the chance and if that's what she wants.

The ladies in the back are exceptional also. They were the heartbeat of the business that kept Gil honest.

Here's to you Gilbert Burnside "Gil" Hebard!! 10/28/2012

Hand salute.

Hobie

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Laissez les bons temps roulez!

We also remember Gill, he was our favorite S&W gun distributor in the 70's. the plan was you want smiths you buy S&W ammo, holsters, anything smith. and sell you equal guns at wholesale. No one sold Smiths for wholesale back then. We got a lot of very special guns back then, put a lot in our collection. In our old age we are selling them as a retirement plan. see web sight wsg-outfitters.com.
really enjoyed the memorials to a sweet man. Is the store still in business?
Bobbidoll

I just called the number and recording indicated they are still in business.

Hobie

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Laissez les bons temps roulez!