I'm sometimes asked about my fascination with guns. A substantial number of people think of guns only in the negative, probably due to constant bombardment in the news media about "gun violence." It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that violence is an action, and guns by themselves do not commit violence. Only people can do that – people with malevolent intent or who have deranged psyches. Guns by themselves are only instruments, and can be used for good or evil. Trying to legislate against them to prevent violence is as futile as legislating against tornadoes and floods. They exist; get used to it. In the hands of good law enforcement and honest law-abiding citizens, guns provide a solid measure of useful self-protection and intervention. Aside from these self-evident facts, I actually like guns for quite a variety of reasons. I'll list them, and further explain.
It's been said that the history of the United States is the history of our guns. From the flintlock muskets and rifles of the American Revolution to the true assault rifles of our present-day military conflicts, the outcome has been most heavily influenced by those very firearms. Examples of them can be held in your hands, taking you back in history to their eras. That trapdoor Springfield rifle is an example of a gun that settled the Western frontier, very similar to those used by Custer's troops at the battle of the Little Big Horn. That bolt-action Model 1903 Springfield rifle built in 1916 may almost certainly have been used in France during World War One. And that classic semiautomatic M1 Garand could have been used to storm the beaches at Normandy or Iwo Jima in World War Two. Heft these arms, understand them, and you will also understand what our forefathers held in their hands to go into battle. These guns are essentially time machines to give you a gateway to the past. You will have an insight into those times like no other. As a collector, you are only a curator of such arms. When you pass, these relics will go on to others, and it's your task, no, your duty, to maintain and preserve them for future generations to also understand their heritage.
Form follows function. And firearms systems have progressed from firelocks to machine guns. Their mechanisms, designed by gifted people, are more often than not quite ingenious. No finer example can be found than that of John Browning's classic Model 1911 .45 pistol. The interaction of its component parts is intricate yet simple, and the concepts employed are still evident today in modern pistols. Without computers, Browning visualized and crafted a machine that worked to provide our fighting men with an unbeatable personal defense tool. John Taliaferro Thompson put together a design team that came up with a "trench broom," a hand-held machine gun that could empty magazines holding many rounds in seconds, and which would strike fear into the major crime and law enforcement players of the roaring twenties. The reciprocating mechanism of the Thompson submachine gun was ingenious and reliable. The revolving handgun, first brought to commercial fruition by Samuel Colt, gave reliable repeat shots that could be launched by one hand. His early mechanism is copied even today in weapons designed for law enforcement and personal protection. John Cantius Garand, who worked for peanuts as a designer at Springfield Armory prior to WWII, probably did more to help our troops to prevail in that war than any other single man. The U.S. was able to arm most of our troops with semiautomatic rifles in an era when most other nations were still struggling with antiquated bolt actions. Garand's design was simple and robust. I studied it in detail when I was still in high school Jr. ROTC. I memorized the nomenclature of all of the M1's parts and understood the functions of each. I credit the development of my relatively high mechanical aptitude to those days. In the arena of sporting firearms, the mechanisms of lever action rifles, semiauto target pistols and repeating shotguns are fascinating studies in applied mechanical engineering. Take all of these apart, study their component parts and visualize how the parts interact. It's fascinating and gives you insight into the minds of these firearms' inventors.
And some guns (not all, I grant you) are works of art. The flowing lines of a Winchester lever action rifle, the classic finely engraved double-barreled shotgun, the smooth configuration of a Kentucky rifle, the beautiful yet sinister appearance of a Thompson submachine gun; all have esthetic appeal beyond their functional characteristics. That their designers sought to give them gracefulness and eye appeal makes sense, and viewers of today mostly appreciate that. Some of them should be framed just because they are so appealing to view.
I also like firearms for the nostalgia they invoke, particularly when I know the provenance of any particular gun. For example, I own a small pistol carried by an AEF captain in France in World War I. Just touching it gives me a flashback to those times. I own an old Smith & Wesson revolver once owned by my paternal grandfather. It shows years of hard use, and in my mind's eye I can see him wearing the gun in its accompanying shoulder holster as he took the day's receipts from his country store to the bank each evening. I still have my first gun, a Winchester Model 69A bolt action. Holding it takes me back to the first shot I ever fired. It was on a windy day in the desert with my father looking on. I was eleven years old. With repeated practice, I could shoot the centers out of pennies at 30 paces using the same open sights that grace the rifle today. I treasure two S&W Model 28s. One belonged to my father, and one to me. We used to go shooting with them regularly. My dad has been gone now for many years, but when I take his gun out of its original box and hold it, the memories of those good times swim back to me like they were yesterday. I have an Ithaca M1911A1 pistol that I bought just before I entered Army service as a young officer. I had it accurized while on active duty, and carried it as my service weapon by choice because it was 100% reliable with good ammo and would put the shots where I wanted them to go. I also carried it during my National Guard service. I haven't fired it in years, but should I choose to do so, I know it will do the job I intended for it to do all those many years ago. These guns bring back and crystalize many pleasant memories. Sometimes it's good to just sit down and reflect on the times of long ago. Good guns and good memories. That's a hard combination to beat.
I enjoy the history and characteristics of all kinds of guns. I research them, photograph them and write about them for publication. In retirement, I finally have the time and equipment to do this, so the years of study I've devoted to guns is finally paying off to some degree!
And finally, I like guns for the peace of mind they give me. In today's uncertain times, I think it's prudent to be armed when out and about. No big deal. Similarly, I have a fire extinguisher in our home although I don't expect a fire. I carry a gun although I don't expect trouble. Luckily, I live in a free state that encourages and supports firearms ownership. Although no license is required to carry here, I do have a concealed carry permit so that when I travel through states that have reciprocity with mine, I'm covered legally. At home, I'm always within reach of intimidating and effective firepower. On the road and when out walking, I'm similarly armed. I practice regularly and have no doubt that I could prevail if necessary. Without a gun, I'm just an old man – but armed, I'm the equal of anyone who would do me or others harm.
So I like guns. You got a problem with that?
John
It's been said that the history of the United States is the history of our guns. From the flintlock muskets and rifles of the American Revolution to the true assault rifles of our present-day military conflicts, the outcome has been most heavily influenced by those very firearms. Examples of them can be held in your hands, taking you back in history to their eras. That trapdoor Springfield rifle is an example of a gun that settled the Western frontier, very similar to those used by Custer's troops at the battle of the Little Big Horn. That bolt-action Model 1903 Springfield rifle built in 1916 may almost certainly have been used in France during World War One. And that classic semiautomatic M1 Garand could have been used to storm the beaches at Normandy or Iwo Jima in World War Two. Heft these arms, understand them, and you will also understand what our forefathers held in their hands to go into battle. These guns are essentially time machines to give you a gateway to the past. You will have an insight into those times like no other. As a collector, you are only a curator of such arms. When you pass, these relics will go on to others, and it's your task, no, your duty, to maintain and preserve them for future generations to also understand their heritage.
Form follows function. And firearms systems have progressed from firelocks to machine guns. Their mechanisms, designed by gifted people, are more often than not quite ingenious. No finer example can be found than that of John Browning's classic Model 1911 .45 pistol. The interaction of its component parts is intricate yet simple, and the concepts employed are still evident today in modern pistols. Without computers, Browning visualized and crafted a machine that worked to provide our fighting men with an unbeatable personal defense tool. John Taliaferro Thompson put together a design team that came up with a "trench broom," a hand-held machine gun that could empty magazines holding many rounds in seconds, and which would strike fear into the major crime and law enforcement players of the roaring twenties. The reciprocating mechanism of the Thompson submachine gun was ingenious and reliable. The revolving handgun, first brought to commercial fruition by Samuel Colt, gave reliable repeat shots that could be launched by one hand. His early mechanism is copied even today in weapons designed for law enforcement and personal protection. John Cantius Garand, who worked for peanuts as a designer at Springfield Armory prior to WWII, probably did more to help our troops to prevail in that war than any other single man. The U.S. was able to arm most of our troops with semiautomatic rifles in an era when most other nations were still struggling with antiquated bolt actions. Garand's design was simple and robust. I studied it in detail when I was still in high school Jr. ROTC. I memorized the nomenclature of all of the M1's parts and understood the functions of each. I credit the development of my relatively high mechanical aptitude to those days. In the arena of sporting firearms, the mechanisms of lever action rifles, semiauto target pistols and repeating shotguns are fascinating studies in applied mechanical engineering. Take all of these apart, study their component parts and visualize how the parts interact. It's fascinating and gives you insight into the minds of these firearms' inventors.
And some guns (not all, I grant you) are works of art. The flowing lines of a Winchester lever action rifle, the classic finely engraved double-barreled shotgun, the smooth configuration of a Kentucky rifle, the beautiful yet sinister appearance of a Thompson submachine gun; all have esthetic appeal beyond their functional characteristics. That their designers sought to give them gracefulness and eye appeal makes sense, and viewers of today mostly appreciate that. Some of them should be framed just because they are so appealing to view.
I also like firearms for the nostalgia they invoke, particularly when I know the provenance of any particular gun. For example, I own a small pistol carried by an AEF captain in France in World War I. Just touching it gives me a flashback to those times. I own an old Smith & Wesson revolver once owned by my paternal grandfather. It shows years of hard use, and in my mind's eye I can see him wearing the gun in its accompanying shoulder holster as he took the day's receipts from his country store to the bank each evening. I still have my first gun, a Winchester Model 69A bolt action. Holding it takes me back to the first shot I ever fired. It was on a windy day in the desert with my father looking on. I was eleven years old. With repeated practice, I could shoot the centers out of pennies at 30 paces using the same open sights that grace the rifle today. I treasure two S&W Model 28s. One belonged to my father, and one to me. We used to go shooting with them regularly. My dad has been gone now for many years, but when I take his gun out of its original box and hold it, the memories of those good times swim back to me like they were yesterday. I have an Ithaca M1911A1 pistol that I bought just before I entered Army service as a young officer. I had it accurized while on active duty, and carried it as my service weapon by choice because it was 100% reliable with good ammo and would put the shots where I wanted them to go. I also carried it during my National Guard service. I haven't fired it in years, but should I choose to do so, I know it will do the job I intended for it to do all those many years ago. These guns bring back and crystalize many pleasant memories. Sometimes it's good to just sit down and reflect on the times of long ago. Good guns and good memories. That's a hard combination to beat.
I enjoy the history and characteristics of all kinds of guns. I research them, photograph them and write about them for publication. In retirement, I finally have the time and equipment to do this, so the years of study I've devoted to guns is finally paying off to some degree!
And finally, I like guns for the peace of mind they give me. In today's uncertain times, I think it's prudent to be armed when out and about. No big deal. Similarly, I have a fire extinguisher in our home although I don't expect a fire. I carry a gun although I don't expect trouble. Luckily, I live in a free state that encourages and supports firearms ownership. Although no license is required to carry here, I do have a concealed carry permit so that when I travel through states that have reciprocity with mine, I'm covered legally. At home, I'm always within reach of intimidating and effective firepower. On the road and when out walking, I'm similarly armed. I practice regularly and have no doubt that I could prevail if necessary. Without a gun, I'm just an old man – but armed, I'm the equal of anyone who would do me or others harm.
So I like guns. You got a problem with that?
John
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