J.H. Fitzgerald at Camp Perry, working on a competitor’s Colt 1911. Better known simply as “Fitz,” Fitzgerald was arguably America’s first true custom pistolsmith. Yes, long before Armand Swenson and the other legendary names that would follow. A former prizefighter and hardware store gun salesman, Fitz joined Colt in 1918 and quickly became the go-toContinue reading “J.H. Fitzgerald”
Category Archives: Historical
Some More Vintage Colt Ads
That sporter lightweight would be laughed at today but it was a fine little gun. I wish they still made it with an A1 upper.
Colt M1917 Test Firing.
I recently got my hands on a beauty of a Colt M1917. I ain’t gonna go into a history lesson on this pistol and bore you all with a story you already know or have heard a 100 times by now but I will mention to those who don’t know that it was brought outContinue reading “Colt M1917 Test Firing.”
The Most Dangerous Grave In The US
From Beyond5000 This is the only radioactive grave in the United States and it has been sealed in Arlington Cemetery since 1961. It belongs to Richard Leroy McKinley, one of the three men killed in the SL 1 nuclear accident, the first and only fatal reactor accident in American history. On 3 January 1961, theContinue reading “The Most Dangerous Grave In The US”
Radioactive Ring For Kids
A real Cold War Favorite! Back in 1947, General Mills’ KiX cereal offered kids what might be the most radioactive toy prize ever—the Atomic “Bomb” Ring—for just 15 cents and a box top. Also called the Lone Ranger Atomic Bomb Ring, this unusual piece of bling reflected America’s post-WWII fascination with atomic energy. The ringContinue reading “Radioactive Ring For Kids”
Infantry Weapons, 498,000 BC: Stone-tipped Spears
A golden oldie from our pal Kevin O’Brien OK, this article from The Grauniad is a good three years old. But we seem to have missed it then, so there’s a good chance you missed it then, too. Let’s not miss it now! Here’s why stone-tipped spears were important: the first known spears date from 600,000 years ago, butContinue reading “Infantry Weapons, 498,000 BC: Stone-tipped Spears”
Vintage Colt 9mm AR15
Vintage Johnson SPITFIRE Advert
Colt Offensive Weapon
I may or may not have more to say about it and the Colt SSP next week.
M1 Garand Clip Loader
From Walter J. Kuleck When the U.S Army adopted the U.S. Rifle, Cal..30, M1, they were faced with a dilemma. A short-term dilemma, to be sure, but a dilemma, nonetheless. The requirement placed on John Garand to incorporate an en-block clip into his rifle design, rather than the detachable box magazine Garand had adapted hitherto,Continue reading “M1 Garand Clip Loader”
