By Edward C. Crossman, 1918 Old John Browning has produced the finest machine guns for our army ever invented AMERICA has finer guns in the AA Browning light and heavy type than any nation now at war. While the members of Congressional military committees vapored and fumed that blue print guns never killed an enemy,Continue reading “Browning, the Gun Wizard”
Category Archives: Historical
Colt Factory AR15 Finishes
The Colt firearms in these photos belong to a friend of mine and fellow collector. You get a look at various finishes/camouflage patterns used by Colt over the years. Here is his description… “The top rifle is a new acquisition and is a hunting camo made by ‘Vista’. Serial states it was a Colt VPContinue reading “Colt Factory AR15 Finishes”
Ed McGivern’s World Record-Setting .38 SPL
RIA is about to auction of McGivern’s most famous 6 gun. I’ve seen a lot of his collection at the NRA museum in DC but they did not have this one that I can recall. Seems like they did at the time but that was back in 2010. They sure don’t make’em like him anymoreContinue reading “Ed McGivern’s World Record-Setting .38 SPL”
Unertl Bv20
One of the later Unertl scopes is the Bv20. A smaller more compact optic for those who apparently wanted such a thing. In 20X it wasn’t as popular. My first Unertl was a Bv20 and I can’t say I cared for it much. The focus was in the rear instead of the head like normalContinue reading “Unertl Bv20”
Dr. Franklin W. Mann: Father of Ballistic Science
Doctor Franklin W. Mann, author of the seminal treatise on ballistics: “The Bullet’s Flight” is for most of us a mysterious figure in shooting history. Working on his experiments in relative isolation for many years, he was not one to seek the limelight; his interest was science, not fame or fortune. A contemporary and close friendContinue reading “Dr. Franklin W. Mann: Father of Ballistic Science”
FBI Solicitation No. RFP 4756 – 10mm Pistols (1989)
This excerpt of the FBI’s 1989-vintage Request for Proposal (RFP) is being reposted as a historical footnote to my main article on FBI pistols. Note how the RFP was written to exclude every existing pistol on the market, including those with slide-mounted decockers, non-steel frames, and striker-fired designs. The new pistol was really doomed toContinue reading “FBI Solicitation No. RFP 4756 – 10mm Pistols (1989)”
Early History of the Match/Competition AR-15 and M16
The M16/AR-15 rifle’s introduction to formal competition started at the Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) at Camp Perry in 1967. While the previous year’s SAFS allowed for merely familiarization fire, the 1967 SAFS actually provided two training matches. At the time, the rifle was considered more of a novelty than a serious competitor. However, theContinue reading “Early History of the Match/Competition AR-15 and M16”
The FIRST M1 Garand Ever Produced
RIA continues to turn up some amazing bits of history. If I was rich, I wouldn’t be rich for long because of RIA
Model 70 Winchester #86
The artists over at pre64win.com have restored a true piece of history. God bless them. “This 1936 rifle, Model 70 serial number 86, came to us as a poorly executed custom, with 6 non-factory holes in the receiver, and rust pitting so deep the serial number was almost unreadable. It took over 2 years andContinue reading “Model 70 Winchester #86”
TE6700 Match Target Tactical Elite
Produced in 1996/1997 by Colts Custom Shop, the Colt TE6700 Match Target Tactical Elite rifle is chambered in .223. Production was limited to 1000 rifles. The rifle had a 20-inch match grade heavy barrel, choate stock, timney trigger and a Colt scope. The rifles came with an owners manual, 2 magazines and a cleaning rodContinue reading “TE6700 Match Target Tactical Elite”
Scattered Shots 