Fallen Lady

Fallen Lady

The other day, while rummaging around in the attic for an air rifle with which to instill some respect for authority in the blue jays that had been raiding my roasting–ear patch, I chanced upon something more interesting than what I was looking for. This may well...

An Old Parker Finds New Life

An Old Parker Finds New Life

To restore or not, that is the question. How many times have each of us thought about having a fine old gun refinished only to be cautioned that having it reblued or restocked will diminish its value? Several years ago at a small gun show in a church social hall, I...

Kelsey’s Rifle

Kelsey’s Rifle

Bill was morose, angry really, as only a drunk can be when things are not going his way. “Bad Bill,” as he was known, had been causing big trouble in Butte and the local lawmen set out to change his address whether he liked it or not. The city fathers wanted him gone...

Fanzoj: 450 Years of Gunmaking in Ferlach

Fanzoj: 450 Years of Gunmaking in Ferlach

Show me a gun and I’ll tell you where it’s from,” is a cliché accommodating more than an element of truth. A sleek sidelock side-by-side with understated fine scroll engraving is likely from London while an over/under accented with fabulous bulino game scenes is...

Legacy Gifts

Legacy Gifts

It was nearing midnight that Thanksgiving evening many years ago. The fire had waned to pulsing orange embers, the room captive to darkness beyond its failing glow, but for the single, small table lamp by Daddy’s chair. The night was mellow as moonlight on a meadow,...