Elmer Keith's Model 29s

[Leroy Thompson]

I remember a thread a few years ago about the S/Ns of Elmer Keith's Model 29s. My friend Tim Mullin is working on the second volume of his collected Elmer Keith letters for Paladin Press and allowed me to put some interesting information on this site. In a Nov, 6, '73 letter, Keith listed for the recipient his five Model 29s as follows:

--first tool room 6.5 inch--Keith states he thinks it is S.147220. I don't know if period is actually in S/N but doubt it?

--4.5 inch cut down by Don Gowan, engraved with carved ivories is S 153830

--The first .44 4 inch presented to Keith by Carl Hellstrom--engraved with carved ivories having a gold inlaid shield is S 161577

--What Keith calls his work gun, a 4" is S 181464

--his last one acquired as of the letter was a 5" S 317353

Once again these are from a letter written by Keith.

Anyone who does not have the first volume of Keith's letters--I highly recommend the book. I couldn't put it down and it contains great information.

 

[bettis1]

Thanks for that info Leroy.

And, BTW, good to see you posting again. Don't stay away so long.

Bob

 

[jj2am44]

Leroy-are you the Leroy Thompson that wrote a book years ago-The Big Book of Magnums?. I still have the book and reference it often.

 

[P&R Fan]

And "Dead clients don't pay"? Love that one. I do BG work occasionally.

 

[Joe Kent]

Leroy, I always enjoy your writing, as others have said above, please post more often and thanks for the info on Keith's guns. I also have Mr. Mullin's first book on Keith as well as his more recent New Service book. Both are well worth having and I look forward to the next. All my Best, Joe. PS, I had the pleasure of meeting you at CS Metal Works a couple of years ago.

 

[Homie]

The first book was an excellent read, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

The serial number that we really need is the 4" that Elmer left in the gas station restroom. That's about the only one any of us mortals may have a shot at.

Good shooting.

 

[Danny Abernathy]

Mr. Thompson, have enjoyed your writings for many years.
You wrote a book on Commando Knifes that I once had and have let it slip away somehow. Is it still in print? If so how can a person go about getting a copy?
Keep up the writing, it's always great to read.
Danny A.

 

[StingrayG4]

Mr. Thompson, have enjoyed your writings for many years.
You wrote a book on Commando Knifes that I once had and have let it slip away somehow. Is it still in print? If so how can a person go about getting a copy?
Keep up the writing, it's always great to read.
Danny A.

Looks like it's no longer in print:

Amazon.com: Commando Dagger: the Complete Illustrated History of the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife: Leroy Thompson: Books

-S

 

[opoefc]

Not trying to steal this thread but a litle bit of trivia about Elmer: At the NRA annual convention in 1975 in San Diego, CA., I put on the display for the S&WCA and our booth was near Elmer's, where he was signing his books, etc. During a slow period one afternoon, Elmer and i got to chatting about S&Ws, and I invited him to join our new S&W Collector's Assn. Elmer asked waht we did and I explained our mission was to encourage collecting S&Ws and increasing the knowledge thereof, etc. He said that sounded noble but when was our next shooting match? I had to inform him that scheduled or authorized shooting matches was not our goal, although many members were serious shooters. Elmer thanked me for the invitation, but politely declined my offer to sponser his membership. Ed #15

 

[Leroy Thompson]

thanks for the kind wors

Thanks you to all of you for the kind words about the books and articles. On the Commando Dagger book, not only is it out of print but I see it bringing $300 or more used. However, the good news is that today I sent off a new book on the F-S Dagger that will be in the Osprey Weapons series and out in 2011.

 

[Danny Abernathy]

Thank you, that's great news. As one admirer of this weapon to another I look forward to the new book (I, like youself, appreciate the Hi Power too). Not to bug you too much, but anything on the variants of this knife included in the book-like the Canadian parachutist or the Israeli models?
In the first book I thought the information on Sykes and Fairbain was priceless.
Keep it up and good luck with the book.
Danny A.

 

[SG-688]

Here's another ... tangent. Where is Curt Hardcastle now? Joe Kent and I had matching 4 inch 25-2's made up in about 1984.

To make this more EK related ... my target hammer spur is shortened in the Keith style.

 

[Leroy Thompson]

Hardcastle

Curt Hardcastle moved to AZ more than 20 years ago and I lost track of him.

The new F-S book does cover a lot of the variations.

 

[MMA10mm]

Leroy,
Thanks for the info in this thread and thank you for your writing. I bought my Browning Hi-Power waaaay back in the 80s after reading your article about the travels and trials you put your Hi-power through and seeing the gorgeous matte chrome finish... Still have that magazine somewhere. If you hadn't inspired me, I wouldn't have wound up with a Belgian Browning, so thanks!

 

[H Richard]

SG688, are those Fuzzy Farant grips?

Dick