In the era of bullseye shooting that started before World War II, the revolver was king. Eventually, gunsmiths came up with ways to accurize the 1911, and that’s all she wrote– the revolver faded into obsolescence. Up next is a bullseye 1911 made by Richard L Shockey. Shockey was born in 1909 in Pennsylvania. He himself was a highly accomplished bullseye shooter. He apprenticed as a machinist during the late 20s and early 30 and worked as a tool and die maker after that. During WWII he was a tool room foreman at the Naval Ordnance Plant in York PA. In 1948 he moved to El Reno Oklahoma and started a shop out of his home. Dealer Gil Hebard helped distribute and popularize his work among serious competitors. One thing unique to Shockey’s guns was the addition of his famous ‘mousetrap. It was a spring attached to a recoil plug, used to keep the barrel tight at lock-up. Because of his smaller shop and limited production, authentic Shockey pistols are harder to find in the wild. Collectors of vintage bullseye guns actively seek them out. A documented, original Shockey gun with period sights, stippling, mousetrap system, and original grips is considered a significant piece of bullseye history. Period correct orthopedic grips by Lew Sanderson, because the best or nothing. Of course the song is shock the monkey. By the way, nobody knows what the L stands for.
Scattered Shots 