The original Combat Masters

[Stu Honea]

Now my avatar.Also thought some of the older guys would recognize these boys from the "olden days" that were truly the "golden days."

The original Combat Masters,an archived photo taken at the famous Leatherslaps in Big Bear,Ca.

From left to right: Ray Chapman,Eldon Carl,Thell Reed,Jeff Cooper,Jack Weaver.

In the beginning.........

 

[ContinentalOp]

When it comes to the original combat masters these are the first guys to come to my mind:

Rex Applegate

WE Fairbairn

Jelly Bryce (l) and Bill Jordan (r)



Of course, I'm sure there are others who go even further back then them.

 

[Stu Honea]

Continental Op,absolutely true. Fairburn& Sykes and Col. Rex Applegate taught the right stuff.
Mr Bryce,along with several other early agents,top notch gun hands. Of course Bill Jordan has to be included without a doubt.I had the priveledge of seeing him shoot the aspirin tablets at a young age and have been fascinated ever since.

The guys in the photo,of course,especially Thell Reed,were extremely talented. Reed was, nationally,the fastest shooter from the leather when he was only 16 years old.
The Combat Master rating was something that came out of the Leatherslap contests at Big Bear,as mentioned.Nonetheless all these men contributed and helped to advance the art in one form or another. John Plahn was also rated as such,but is not pictured. Bob Munden competed there also.
I remember a lot of this,and many of the people involved.Just a great part of our long handgunning history.
Thanks for your thoughts on F&S and others,and I totally agree.

ETA: Reed's family's business,Reed's Barbecue is nationally famous.I believe he is the only survivor of the pictured group,but not really sure about Eldon Carl.
Reed went on to movie consulting and travelled the world doing that and acting as a stuntman.

 

[OFT II]

I don't believe that's Jelly Bryce in the photo with Jordan. Bryce would have been a little older and better dressed. Also the person doesn't hold the revolver like Bryce did.

 

[Stu Honea]

I don't believe that's Jelly Bryce in the photo with Jordan. Bryce would have been a little older and better dressed. Also the person doesn't hold the revolver like Bryce did.

No,it isn't Mr. Bryce with Jordan.This has been debated endlessly.I believe it was Dave James who refuted it for good. He was trained by Mr.Bryce and Col. Askins and was a lawman for years,as well as other members of his family. Dave James' word on this is gold.

 

[Tory_Werne]

NOT Jelly Bryce, Louis M. Werne, Jr.

RE: Jelly Bryce (l) and Bill Jordan (r)
-
This is NOT JELLY BRYCE in this 1964 image taken from
"No Second Place Winner" (page 56) by Bill Jordan.

This is Louis M. Werne, Jr. with Bill Jordan,
with a more complete answer in a nearby forum.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/84627-who-man.html#post139003848

Thanks for letting me correct this misinformation in this forum.

Regards, Tory Werne

 

[Stu Honea]

Thanks Tory,I never really knew who the short guy was myself.

 

[Jessie]

He's probably not short at all. Consider who he's next to.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I took a 4 1/2 days handgun shooting course at Chapman Academy in the spring of 1991. It was taught by Ray and his side kick named John_____. They turned a dork D-class shooter into a high B or A class shooter in that week.

They had a rule that we couldn't go to lunch until we each rang the steel 80 yds away. After we did it Ray and John would each take their 10mm pistols, turn their back on the gong and shoot it bent over between their legs with the pistol upside down....usually one shot each.

I later learned to shoot upside down too.