One of my favorite uncles, Ralph Bickler (1891-1974), served in France in World War I. His campaign hat came to me several years ago, and I thought it might make a nice companion to some revolvers of that era. The hat is a Stetson, and judging from the labels he bought it in Austin at Hirshfeldt & Anderson.
With two almost new 1917s, one of them Brand C.
With the two 1917s and an early .455 Triple Lock (serial number 358). The TL has been rechambered to .45 Colt, but it definitely saw service in British hands -- proof marks all over it.
And, since this is a S&W forum, the hat and the 1917 of greatest local interest without competing distractions.
Let me offer a tip of the hat to Ralph, even if it's his own hat. He was an interesting guy, a great lover of Texas history, and an amateur naturalist of no small skill. His back yard, going down into a shady ravine near central Austin, was filled with more bird and animal life than I had ever seen before. Many of the birds and even a lizard he trained would eat food right from his hand. I'm not sure what his original profession was, but later in life he was a combination office manager and legal assistant to Zollie Steakley, a Texas Supreme Court Justice. Yes, Zollie Steakley. Is there a more perfect Texas name?
With two almost new 1917s, one of them Brand C.
With the two 1917s and an early .455 Triple Lock (serial number 358). The TL has been rechambered to .45 Colt, but it definitely saw service in British hands -- proof marks all over it.
And, since this is a S&W forum, the hat and the 1917 of greatest local interest without competing distractions.
Let me offer a tip of the hat to Ralph, even if it's his own hat. He was an interesting guy, a great lover of Texas history, and an amateur naturalist of no small skill. His back yard, going down into a shady ravine near central Austin, was filled with more bird and animal life than I had ever seen before. Many of the birds and even a lizard he trained would eat food right from his hand. I'm not sure what his original profession was, but later in life he was a combination office manager and legal assistant to Zollie Steakley, a Texas Supreme Court Justice. Yes, Zollie Steakley. Is there a more perfect Texas name?
