Teddy Roosevelt

M_conrad_0311 · Aug 10, 2017

I feel that TR might have been one of the most bad @$$ people, let alone presidents, that has ever lived. He is the epitome of the American Spirit. I have just spent more on an original unpunished photograph of a young Theodore Roosevelt than I probably should have. In fact, it cost me more than most spend on entry level pistols. I sure hope that it can give my children the same return that a S&W would of the same value. I know it will give me pleasure as long as I am alive. I am thinking that I will start a TR collection with books, guns that he owned, and other memorabilia. I may have to acquire a New Model 3, or try and identify the pistol and holster rig in the photo to start my collection. What are your thoughts?

6518John · Aug 10, 2017

Bully for you! "As president, Roosevelt created five national parks (doubling the previously existing number); signed the landmark Antiquities Act and used its special provisions to unilaterally create 18 national monuments, including the Grand Canyon; set aside 51 federal bird sanctuaries, four national game refuges, and more than 100 million acres' worth of national forests."

What a President. What a man!

The National Parks: America's Best Idea: People - Theodore Roosevelt | PBS

Wyatt Burp · Aug 10, 2017

Great photo. Is that a different angle of a picture of him we've seen before? A few weeks ago I traded for an 1895 winchester. You know TR was on my mind a little bit when I got it. Even though it's 30-40 and not .405.

M_conrad_0311 · Aug 10, 2017

As far as angle, I am not sure, for I didn't see the other one posted, but it could be. I love the 1895.

Thank you for the PBS link.

Bullet Bob · Aug 10, 2017

Did you know that he didn't like being called "Teddy"?

bigwheelzip · Aug 10, 2017

If you have not been to his beloved home, Sagamore Hill, I highly recommend a visit to this well curated National Historic Site.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_WPh1j2gD0[/ame]

THE PILGRIM · Aug 10, 2017

Teddy is one of my Favorite Presidents and by far my Favorite New Yorker!

S&W ucla · Aug 10, 2017

Neat pic! Thanks for sharing it. Last fall I went to his Elkhorn Ranch near Medora,ND and understood his love of that place. (even if the cattle business didn't go so well) If you get out to the NRA Museum at BassPro shop Springfield,MO, they have an excellent Roosevelt exhibit with a diorama of one of his Safari trips.

Elkhorn Ranch - Theodore Roosevelt National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Wyatt Burp · Aug 10, 2017

M_conrad_0311 said:
As far as angle, I am not sure, for I didn't see the other one posted, but it could be. I love the 1895.

Thank you for the PBS link.

Here's some other pictures of him. A couple look like from the same phtographer. That's quite a prize you have. I bought an original Obama photo. I overpaid for it, too. It cost a penny.

theodore roosevelt cowboy - Google Search

M_conrad_0311 · Aug 10, 2017

Wyatt, those are definitely from the same photo shoot. Thank you for the link.

M_conrad_0311 · Aug 10, 2017

Does anyone have any speculation as to the gun and rig in the photo. Colt of some sort. I wonder if it is his or a dress prop for the photo?

peyton · Aug 10, 2017

I enjoy the picture you purchased, what actual size is it? Oh, just imagine that when he stood for this picture did he have any inkling of what direction his life would take?

Texas Star · Aug 10, 2017

M_conrad_0311 said:
Does anyone have any speculation as to the gun and rig in the photo. Colt of some sort. I wonder if it is his or a dress prop for the photo?

It is very probably one of a pair of very ornate SAA's, gold and silver plated and engraved. Ivory grips.

Some of his guns were pretty flashy and he was wealthy, so could indulge his tastes.

In Africa on his safari of 1909 (?), he and son Kermit used Winchester M-95's in .405 and in .30 Army, prob. .30-40. Also had .30-06 Springfield sporters. His favorite shotguns were by Fox. British residents of Kenya bought him a .450 double rifle, but I don't recall the maker, probably H&H.

In Cuba in 1898, he carried a Colt New Navy .38 salvaged from the USS Maine.

He liked guns and had quite a few. I think these included a Colt .32 automatic.
Out West on his ranch, he used a Winchester '76. Don't know the caliber.

I don't think he ever used photographers' prop guns. Or outfits.

BTW, after his grueling Brazilian expedition of 1919, he recommended a .30 caliber high velocity pistol for the jungle, like a .30 Luger or Mauser. I think he had in mind shooting food animals and snakes, not jaguars or tapirs.

Watchdog · Aug 10, 2017

M_conrad_0311 said:
I feel that TR might have been one of the most bad --- people, let alone presidents, that has ever lived. He is the epitome of the American Spirit.

We're pretty much in agreement on T.R.

He's covered very well in the Ken Burns documentary, The Roosevelts - An Intimate History that was broadcast on PBS a year or two ago. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. There is also a large book that accompanied the documentary. I never got around to buying it, but keep meaning to order it...whenever I can remember.

One of my more ridiculous fantasies involves me getting to box two or three rounds with T.R. I've been a huge admirer of the man ever since I was a little boy.

Texas Star · Aug 10, 2017

If you have not read Roosevelt's, African Game Trails, you should.

I think it was reprinted some years ago, when the late Peter Capstick was editing and re-releasing classic African hunting books.

Barnes & Noble probably can get it, or Safari Press.

It's PC now to present him as a conservationist, and he was. But he was also an enthusiastic hunter.

bigwheelzip · Aug 10, 2017

M_conrad_0311 said:
Does anyone have any speculation as to the gun and rig in the photo. Colt of some sort. I wonder if it is his or a dress prop for the photo?

It's a richly adorned Colt SAA, owned by the Autry National Gallery in Los Angeles.

Autry Upgrades Colt Single Action Army Exhibit

His saddle and the holster were made for T.R. by J.S. Collins in Cheyenne.
Not sure if this is the exact holster or a duplicate of the type.

https://centerofthewest.org/2015/08/12/treasures-theodore-roosevelts-saddle/

DWalt · Aug 10, 2017

"In Africa on his safari of 1909 (?), he and son Kermit used Winchester M-95's in .405 and in .30 Army, prob. .30-40. Also had .30-06 Springfield sporters. His favorite shotguns were by Fox. British residents of Kenya bought him a .450 double rifle, but I don't recall the maker, probably H&H."

On his East African safari, TR took three American guns - a "sporterized" U. S. Springfield Model 1903 in .30-'06, a Winchester Model 1895 in .405 Winchester, and a Remington Model 8 autoloader in .35 Remington.

M_conrad_0311 · Aug 10, 2017

peyton said:
I enjoy the picture you purchased, what actual size is it? Oh, just imagine that when he stood for this picture did he have any inkling of what direction his life would take?

5×8ish, a very little bit larger.

Onomea · Aug 11, 2017

Conrad, you wanna call that an "unpublished" photo, above. Neat pic.

TR also wrote highly of the M94 30-30, the first smokeless round, as a high powered rifle. (And he liked to say that he was not very good at shooting accurately, but he was good at shooting frequently!)

Won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the peace that ended the Russo-Japanese War. A fascinating man, and a great leader.

DWalt · Aug 11, 2017

"TR also wrote highly of the M94 30-30, the first smokeless round..."
Not exactly. There were many military smokeless powder rifle cartridges, beginning in 1886 with the French 8mm Lebel, which pre-date the .30-30. Europeans were well ahead of the U.S. in the development of smokeless powder for military applications. It is more accurate to call the .30-30 (actually the .30 W.C.F.) the first U. S. sporting rifle cartridge loaded with smokeless powder. And even that may be questionable. Some sources state that the .303 Savage cartridge (also loaded with smokeless powder and similar to the .30-30 dimensionally and ballistically) pre-dates the .30-30.

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