[Andrewsky]

What gun (s) would you carry concealed? It has to be in America too.

[Vonderek]

I guess I would carry what most people carried concealed in that era...Browning 1903.

[carpenter]

Colt 1911 45 ACP.

[Alphazulu6]

Colt 1911 45 ACP.

[MPanova]

Colt 1911 45 ACP.

[M1 Shooter]

Colt 1911 .45 ACP
Colt New Service .44 Spl or .45 Colt 4" barrel
Colt Police Positive Special .38 Spl 4" barrel(I would prefer a Detective Special, basically just a Police Positive Special with a 2" barrel, but it wasn't introduced until 1926)
S&W Hand Ejector .44 Spl 4" barrel
S&W M&P .38 Spl 2" or 4" barrel

I would be comfortable carrying any one of these even today, however, some of them are a little large for everyday concealed carry. I suspect open carry was much more common and accepted in 1920 though, so that could be an option. Also, since hollowpoints were unavailable in those days, I would probably prefer the larger calibers, but I wouldn't feel undergunned with the .38's, especially since in those days the .38 revolver was pretty much standard for everyone, cops and crooks alike.

[1911 guy]

Only difference would be manufacturers name and ammo. Colt was the only maker then and hardball was the only fodder available.

[yhtomit]

Colt 1908, perhaps. I think that's a really good looking pistol; though I've not yet held one, it *looks* like it would fit my hand better than nearly any gun I can think of. That Browning fella, he had some good judgment ;)

Or, as 1911 guy reminds us (me, at least), the 1911 had already been out there for a while when the 1920s began.

timothy

[Ala Dan]

Colt 1911 .45 ACP, and a sawed off double barrel 12 gague~! :D

[Texfire]

Colt SAA Wells Fargo model in .45 Colt.

No way you'd make me try one of them there newfangled automatic handguns, they're a passing fad, you'll see! Give me a Colt any day, if it was good enough for my grandpappy in the Indian Wars, it's good enough for me. ;)

Tex

[Shear_stress]

1903 Colt, as the 32 ACP round "is a stopper". Plus, they had seventeen years to work out the kinks on that newfangled piece of ironmongery.

If I was really strapped for cash, I'd probably tote one of those funny-looking toggle pistols made by the Kaiser. Got a bunch of 'em in a pickel barrel down at the hardware store. I think they want half a sawbuck for one.

[dogtown tom]

Remington Model 51 .380

[jaysouth]

It would be interesting to compare the average wage of the era with the cost of a gun in those days.

As a general rule, a new Cold 1911 costs about a weeks wages of a skilled craftsman.

Back in the good old days, if you were cutting fabric in a sweat shop for $6.00 a week, had rent and a couple of kids, there was not a lot left over for toys and trinkets. (whenever someone mentions the "good old days" I can remember what an outhouse smelled like in august. So much for the good old days.)

In 1920, most folks in this country were on the ragged edge of survival.

[M1 Shooter]

In 1920, most folks in this country were on the ragged edge of survival.

Geez, how old are you, were you around back then? How did you come to this conclusion?

In 1920 the US was experiencing a post war economic boom. The Great Depression didn't start until 1929. Sure wages for the average factory worker weren't the best, but neccessities didn't cost that much either.

Back then you could get a brand new run of the mill Colt or S&W .38 Spl revolver for around $20. You probably could have purchased a used one in good condition for around $10. Many people owned firearms back then, although admittedly most folks owned hunting rifles and shotguns instead of handguns, but even then a decent hunting rifle would have cost anywhere from $20-$50 unless you bought a surplus M1873 Springfield "Trapdoor" for around $5-$10.

I'll use my Great Grandfather as an example. He served in WWI and after the war he went back home to the family farm. They were not weathy by any means, yet he had a decent collection of firearms. I know several were bought in that era because of sales receipts we found after he passed. Those guns were a Winchester M1894 .30-30 (who didn't have one of these then?), a bolt action single shot .22 rifle (can't remember the make/model probably Winchester though), an H&R single shot 12 ga shotgun , and a S&W M&P .38 Spl with a 6" barrel. So if a "poor" working farmer could afford those guns in the 1920's, then the average factory worker should have been able to muster up enough money for a self defense handgun.

[bill larry]

Colt Model of 1917

[sd]

1903 colt .32 acp , 1908 .380 acp, browning and FN had similar models during that era. I would imagine a few little old west SW revolvers were still floating around, rim fire .32's, but with a decent jacket to conceal, 1911 .45 acp.

[Cosmoline]

A custom cut-down Police Positive Special in .32-20 and a Winchester '92 to match. Then I'd buy a guitar and become a wandering bluesman.

I would prefer a Detective Special, basically just a Police Positive Special with a 2" barrel, but it wasn't introduced until 1926

Remember, Colt modeled it on the cut down PPS's folks had been making for years before. As in many cases the commercial release followed the smithing trends.

[Geno]

Colt 1910! I believe it was 1910 that had no manual safety.

[Jim K]

How about what people really carried? Mostly solid frame and breaktop .32 or .38 S&W DA revolvers. Auto pistols were somewhat "exotic" and featured in the movies, but were not fully trusted and very few people carried them.

Law enforcement officers mostly carried Colts, like the Police Positive for uniformed police or short barrel versions of the New Police or the early Detective Special for plain-clothes officers. Among police, S&W's were common in the south, but so rare in the north that the Mason-Dixon line was sometimes called the Smith and Wesson line.

In the west, many LE officers still carried SA Colts, or guns of that era; some carried .45 autos. Otherwise, a few police or federal agents carried .45 autos, as did crooks, but they were not common among the citizens, being mostly considered an "army gun" and too big and heavy.

Surprisingly, a fairly common gun for those who could afford it and had a taste for the esoteric, was the Luger, which was being imported by Stoeger and which had been a favorite "bring back" in WWI.

Jim

[Redneck with a 40]

Since this is 1920, I'd have to go with the 45 ACP 1911. If we were talking about 1935, then I would go with the 357 magnum.:D Its superior at punching through barriers such as car doors and windshields.

[Steelcore]

Thompson Sub-Machine Gun sans stock.:evil:Maybe a 1911 if I wern't expecting trouble.

[RadioHack]

A war trophy Luger.

[Quiet]

Luger P-08

[DMK]

Colt 1911 45 ACP.

Just like Bruce Willis. :D

[chaim]

If I lived where my dad's family is from (very rural, even today, Greene County PA) I'd probably have a SAA in .45LC or .44-40, something that could do something against bear since it was still black bear country plus in the country open carry might have been more acceptable. Another option might have been a 1911 or a surplus Colt or S&W .45ACP revolver.

If I lived where my mom's family was living (Ohio cities, mainly Toledo), I'd probably want something more concealable. Probably a Colt PPS in .38spl, possibly having a gunsmith cut it down to 2" or 3" or a a 2" S&W M&P (or a 4" that a smith cut down to 3"), or possibly a 1911 (I'm not sure gun leather was up to the task of concealing a full-sized 1911 then as it is today though).

I'm sure if I was around back then, and old enough, I would have volunteered to go over to fight The War, so I'd have been exposed to, and possibly have experience with, either the 1911 or .45ACP revolver.

[John C]

M1 Shooter said:




In 1920, most folks in this country were on the ragged edge of survival.

Geez, how old are you, were you around back then? How did you come to this conclusion?

In 1920 the US was experiencing a post war economic boom. The Great Depression didn't start until 1929. Sure wages for the average factory worker weren't the best, but neccessities didn't cost that much either.

Back then you could get a brand new run of the mill Colt or S&W .38 Spl revolver for around $20. You probably could have purchased a used one in good condition for around $10. Many people owned firearms back then, although admittedly most folks owned hunting rifles and shotguns instead of handguns, but even then a decent hunting rifle would have cost anywhere from $20-$50 unless you bought a surplus M1873 Springfield "Trapdoor" for around $5-$10.

I'll use my Great Grandfather as an example. He served in WWI and after the war he went back home to the family farm. They were not weathy by any means, yet he had a decent collection of firearms. I know several were bought in that era because of sales receipts we found after he passed. Those guns were a Winchester M1894 .30-30 (who didn't have one of these then?), a bolt action single shot .22 rifle (can't remember the make/model probably Winchester though), an H&R single shot 12 ga shotgun , and a S&W M&P .38 Spl with a 6" barrel. So if a "poor" working farmer could afford those guns in the 1920's, then the average factory worker should have been able to muster up enough money for a self defense handgun.

This topic fascinates me. I guess that goes with having been a history major in college.

First of all, farmers weren't poor in the 1920s compared to factory workers. In fact, they were quite rich, if they owned their own land. Unlike factory workers, farmers, in general, didn't have to pay rent (we'll exclude sharecroppers, who were quite poor). The post-war boom after WW1 mostly applied to farmer exporting food to war torn Europe. Being a farmer meant you didn't have rent to pay, as most land at this time had been homesteaded by an ancestor. I read that a skilled worker in the Camillus factory in NY in 1910 made $14 per week. If single, he paid $7 a week room and board to his boarding house. That left $7 for clothes, laundry, and beer (most of the workers were German). Craftsmen supplied their own tools, too, so that must be taken into account. Basically, a $26 S&W First Model Hand Ejector was a lot of money.

I don't have data from 1920, but I do have data from 1951. $1 in 1951 equals $7.75 in 2006. That's inflation. The other factor we need to take into account is the increase in aggregate wealth. Adjusting for inflation, we are 3 times more productive (richer) today than in 1950. Therefore, when I pop open the Gun Digest from 1951, I see a Colt Government Model .45 ACP pistol lists for $65. $65 x 7.75 means that the inflation adjusted price is $503.75. However, to put this price into perspective for a person in 1951, we need to ratchet the price up to reflect the relative wealth between us and them. So we need to increase the price by 3 (the wealth differential) to get a 2006 price of $1511.25. That's an expensive pistol.

-John

[Fosbery]

Obviously a pair of Webley Mk IVs on hip holsters with a Colt 1911 in .455 Webley as a backup :evil:

[Sistema1927]

1920?

That would mean that I was born in 1869.

I would probably be carrying the S&W .32 top-break that I purchased in 1890 when I turned 21.

Of course, it would all be academic now, since I would be dead (either that, or in the Guiness Book of World Records for being 138!)

[Sean85746]

Back then I 'spect I'd be packing a Colt Detective's Special in .38spl, or a Colt 1911.

Then again, being from Arizona born and bred....a Colt SAA in 44WCF along with a 92 Winchester carbine.

I doubt I'd have had much call for concealing a pistol back then.

[Vern Humphrey]

Pretty close to what I carry today -- Colt 1911 45 ACP (I actually carry a Kimber pre-MKI Classic).

[Cosmoline]

The 1911's were nowhere near as common as they are now. They were somewhat exotic military firearms. Stateside in particular, a lot of shooters didn't trust semis at all. Revolvers ruled, and Colt was still king.

[Vern Humphrey]

The 1911's were nowhere near as common as they are now.

The question was, what would I carry?

Now, I happen to have a Colt New Service in my gunsafe (made in 1906) and a Colt SAA. I'd still pick the M1911.

[kungfuhippie]

Being that 1920 was before all the NFA* b.s. I'd be carrying a Thompson, and a 12ga with 12" barrels. Not sure how I'd conceal them, but I'd figure something out. I would also be carrying a 1917 and 1911, nice having three guns in one caliber.

*Of course this is why I want an AR-15 and an AK-47, because I can't (unless it's a California setup) Once I could have them, I'd probably not want them as much.

[Fosbery]

Being that 1920 was before all the NFA* b.s. I'd be carrying a Thompson

A Thompson in 1920? :rolleyes:

[GunTech]

Good point. Isn't 1921 the first year of production for the Thompson? This is hard. Even the first model dick special doesn't appear until 1927.

Probably a model 1905 S&W if it has to be made in the US. Otherwise a Bergmann model 1910 in the powerful 9mm Bergmann-Bayard (later known as 9mm Largo)

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/GAbayard_071405B.jpg

[kungfuhippie]

A Thompson in 1920? Good point. Isn't 1921 the first year of production for the Thompson?
Dang it.
Well then I'll have to try and conceal a BAR

[SaMx]

A cut down Browning BAR. :neener:
or more realistically probably some sort of small .38 special revolver.

[GunTech]

You could always use a Villaperosa or a Bergman. Maybe you brought it back from WWI. I'm not sure either counts as concealable.

[Shear_stress]

Fascinating post, John C. Should make all those people with their "bought my 1911 for fifty bucks in 19XX" think twice before crowing about the incredible deal they got.

One question about the wealth differential. Is it based on a straight up mean, or is it a weighted average? I ask because I'd expect the standard deviation in wealth to change over time.

[tinygnat219]

Colt SAA in Black Powder .45 Colt.

[John C]

Shear stress;

The wealth differential is merely the inflation adjusted per capita GDP of 1951 (in this case) over the same for 2005. You can find it here: http://eh.net/hmit/gdp/gdp_answer.php?CHKrealGDP_percap=on&year1=1900&year2=2005

If you take a look at the link above, you'll see that the Per Capita GDP does vary from year to year, particularly prior to WW2. Looking at this chart, we are now 6.5 times as wealthy, inflation adjusted, as our grandparents were in 1920.

Think about it. If you look in an old copy of GUNS magazine from the 1950s, you'll see ads for surplus S&W .38s for like $20. That's $500, in our terms. Guns weren't cheap back then, not by a long shot. Nor was anything else, really. People had less, and enjoyed it.

-John

[LightningJoe]

If I wanted a pocket gun, I guess it'd be a Browning .25.

[fflincher]

Colt model 1903 Pocket .38 ACP, 4.5 inch barrel.

[coelacanth]

Model 51 in .380 - my oh my, what a sweet handling little pocket gun.

[Titan6]

Having the advantage of hindsight 8 would go with the 1911. Besides Since I would be in the Army I would already know how great they were and buy my piece from the service when I retired for cheap.

[roo_ster]

I like to have a choice to best suit my clothing or purposes. I would cast my own LSWC bullets for the revolvers.

First Choice/Primary Carry: 1911 in .45ACP

Large Revolver: SW1917 in .45ACP or the civvie version.

Med Revo: S&W K-frame, 4" bbl, .38spl

Small Revo: S&W K-frame, 2" bbl, .38spl

Pocket Revo: S&W I-frame snubby, .38/200

Pocket Auto: Colt 1903 in .32ACP

Shotgun: Win 97 14" bbl, 12ga

Rifle: P-17 Enfield in .30-06

Machine Pistol: Mauser Broomhandle MP

Auto Rifle: BAR in .30-06

Handy Carbine: Win 1894 in .30-30

[Brian Williams]

S&W M&P in 38 spec or I frame in 38 S&W

[Jim K]

Hi, John C.,

Well I was very much around in 1950 and could buy guns. The minimum wage was $.75 an hour. $20 was not really equivalent to $500 today, but it was not pocket change either. Remember, though, that those $20 guns were surplus guns which are always cheaper than the real market value. For a better idea, I bought a Chiefs Special in 1950 for $65 (= $650 today?), one of the first. I later traded the gun, but still have the red box and the receipt.

My first regular job after getting out of the army in 1957 was with the federal government as a GS-4, salary $3420 per year. The starting salary for a GS-4 today is $22,902, so not quite ten times, closer to 7 times for 1957 to today.

Jim

[Iggy]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q171/mountainbear_photos/th_Colt_Nickle_Right_Side.jpg
Colt 1908 Hammerless .380 auto

[Rexster]

If a time machine landed me in 1920, but with my current knowledge of firearms, I would first look for an SAA. IIRC, they were relatively cheap then, as nobody collected them just for the sake of having them. My hands are not really big enough to shoot a Colt New Service or large-framed S&W DA sixgun well in DA fire, and if I have to thumb-cock it anyway, it might as well be the much more compact SAA. After that, I would work on getting a Colt 1911, which were not yet common in the civilian marketplace and not inexpensive. The SAA/1911 combo would not be a bad choice in 2007.

[Vern Humphrey]

If a time machine landed me in 1920, but with my current knowledge of firearms, I would first look for an SAA.
If a time machine landed me in 1920, and I had a valid return ticket, I would go through every pawnshop I could find and buy up a washtub of SAAs to bring back. But I would carry an M1911.

[Sistema1927]

If a time machine landed me in 1920, but with my current knowledge of firearms...

In that case, I would invent the AK-47, the AR-15, the Glock, and the Ruger 10/22.

[1557]

My greatgrandfather carried a S&W 32 hand ejector in his front pocket to protect his stash as he walked to the bank at the end of every day.He was a upholsterer,and also rolled cigars for sale on a rolling machine at home.My great grandmother sqeezed her own brand of orange juice to sell all over town.
When he died she kept the .32 and it was the first gun I ever fired when I was eight years old.I still have it along with her old orange juice squeezer.
It's a nickeled 4 1/4 in bbl. with the original gutta percha grips. Still shoots good.
I'd probably opt for something with a little more punch if I had been around then,and know what I know now. Probably a 1911.No HP high performance ammo then,so might as well go big bore for big holes.:)

[M1 Shooter]

In response to John C, my Great Grandparents were not weathy. They may have been farmers, but he didn't own the land then. He owned it by the time he passed away, but he started with nothing, being the son of Irish immigrants and having just finished service in The Great War with the US Army. Remember, there was no GI Bill back then, so he had his Army pay, but not much else. I don't know how long it took before he owned the land, but I know he was still paying for it in 1920, yet he still was able to save up enough to buy some guns, which were considered neccesary tools on a farm back then. That farm stayed in the family until my Grandma passed away about 10 years ago. Of course it was no longer a working farm then since no body wanted to do it. My Dad and Uncle who inherited it just decided to sell the land since they couldn't afford to do anything with it. Its sad really, but thats life.

[1557]

M1 Shooter,I know what you mean.My great grandparents weren't wealthy either,just hard working,enterprising folks trying to think of ways to make some extra money.Sounds like your great grandfather was the same,as well as a patriot.God bless him. Shame about the farm.

[Zundfolge]

If I lived in the year 1920 I wouldn't CCW at all.

It wasn't legal to carry in most places back then and I always obey the law. :D

[CountGlockula]

Concealed? A Thompson submachine prototype...and with my nice long over coat of course. And I'll be working as an LEO.:D

[deputy tom]

1911 and a Whippit gun.tom.:neener:

[Fosbery]

If I lived in the year 1920 I wouldn't CCW at all.

It wasn't legal to carry in most places back then and I always obey the law

See, living in a free country like Great Britain I wouldn't have had that problem. Open or concealed carry and machineguns for all :D

I should add the one caveat that carrying a SMALL pistol (not full-size ones) was illegal if you were "drunken or insane" but everything else was ok :neener:

[Peter M. Eick]

Interesting point to add. I have been scanning the family photos and a bunch are from the 1890's to 1930's. During the 20's the family was quite well off on the farm. They took a trip from Iowa to Florida for vacation in 26. They had new cars in 1920 and 1926. They had a new tractor in 1928. All in all I would say my kin were pretty darn well off so to speak in the 20's. But they were all farmers in good crop land in Iowa and Illinois.

So what would they have used for protection? Probably either a New Service or a Triple Lock in 44 Special or 45 colt. These seem to be the guns of that part of the area and time.

[Nameless_Hobo]

Colt Model of 1917

I concur.

[VincentWhytt]

Probably a whippet gun(though Clyde Barrow was only what, ten years old, in 1920.) and a 1911 concealed under a nice duster.

[jaholder1971]

Colt 1903 in .38 ACP and/or a 1917.

[crebralfix]

I'd "invent" the N-Frame revolver and this new super-powered cartridge called the 357 Magnum. Then, I'd "invent" the 44 Magnum. I'd build up an 8 shot 357 for carry.

After all that, then the Browning Hi-Power might make an early appearance....

[kjeff50cal]

I would carry this.....

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=43050&stc=1&d=1154584017

It was made in 1920 and it would have been "hot off the presses";):D

[Prince Yamato]

Colt 1911 and an Ithaca Auto Burglar. Also, anything "pre-ban"... you know pre-34 :)

[ArchAngelCD]

My first choice would be a S&W M&P in .38 Special -4th Change.

My second choice would be a .32 S&W Long I frame 3rd Model.

[glockamolee]

Fosbery posted:


"See, living in a free country like Great Britain I wouldn't have had that problem. Open or concealed carry and machineguns for all

I should add the one caveat that carrying a SMALL pistol (not full-size ones) was illegal if you were "drunken or insane" but everything else was ok"

In the EMPIRE, such as India, it would have been a TRANTOR five shot for when I was on top of an elephant. One hand for my Gin, and another hand for the Trantor to word off "non-benign" Tigers.

OK, just having some fun with you.

Here in the States, it would have been a sawed off .12 gauge, or, a 1911.

[sterling180]

Well then I'll have to try and conceal a BAR
That was state-of-the-art- weaponry at that time and It would have cost you alot of money,back then-but still we can dream on.

I would of had a British Bulldog revolver,like the one Sherlock Holmes used and a Colt 1911 and 1908.

[Hunter0924]

Colt 1911 .45 ACP

[goste]

Well, I wasn't around in the 20s, but my dad was born in 1926.... I have 3 guns that belonged to his dad.

1. .32 Savage 1907. (suprised nobody has mentioned this one)
2. Winchester 1895 .30 U.S.(made in 1904)
3. Remington Model 11 (unsure of year, He may not have had this in the 20's

[kungfuhippie]

seeing that Imust be in America but nothing being stated about the origins of my pistols. I would go for a star 1920 model in 45 acp, a star Izarra in .32 ACP I could get as surplus (french contract "ruby", a star 1919 in .25 ACP as a bug.
I realized how much I love my star model B unfortunatly I'll have to wait 4 years to get one. So I guess if I was to buy some nice foreign models I stick with a brand I like.
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/1920/images/1920-open.jpg
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/izarra/images/Ruby-right-L.jpg
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/pre1920/images/1919-dwg.gif

[Kimber1911_06238]

colt 1911, sawed off SXS 12 gauge and a thompson :)

[4v50 Gary]

Colt 1911.

Then I'd go out and design the wide frame ParaOrdnance version, pioneer investment casting for lower & upper receivers and then invent the gas impingment system AR-10. People would think I'm smart too.

[gopguy]

Colt 1911 .45acp with a Colt New Service in .45 Colt "Fitz Special" as a back up. Colt 1908 .380 with a Colt .25 auto back up for the wife.

[Mat, not doormat]

Well, since suits and overcoats were the order of the day, rather than t-shirts and jeans, what couldn't you carry? I reckon I'd be totin' more or less what I am now. Only it would say "Colt Government Model," or "M1911," on the slide instead of Taurus PT1911.

~~~Mat

[Eightball]

A Luger, because people didn't know then what they know now, and 9mm wasn't underpowered :rolleyes:

That or some flavor of 1908.

[zinj]

Mauser C-96!

[CZ.22]

A Colt Army Special (or whatever it was, large frame DA) In .38-40 with barrel cut to 2''.
And a pistol-grip 20ga w 10''

[Sonora Rebel]

Colt 1911-A1 .45acp

Mauser C-96 (broomhandle) 7.65mm

Bergmann SMG 7.65mm

Luger P-08 9mm

[El Tejon]

What my greatgrandfather carried and we still have, a Smith .44-40.:)

Of course, if I were alive then, we would be bothers, right, not . . . wait, this is confusing.:D

[CZF]

P-08 Luger and a S&W Big Bore revolver. CZ guns wouldn't be around until 1936.

[Checkman]

Well since we're talking fantasy here (i.e. unlimited funds) and not reality I would go with the Mauser C96 Post-war "Bolo" in a custom shoulder holster and a Model 1906 Baby Browning (25 acp) as my vest or pocket pistol. My "power up" weapon for close in work would be a Winchester Model 1897 riot-gun in the take-down configuration and the Winchester Model 1895 carbine in 30-40 Krag (also in take-down) for distance work.

I'd probably be driving a Ford Model T so the ability to make the long guns more compact would be essential. Not a real roomy car.

[John C]

Jim Keenan;

Sorry for not responding to you earlier.

Yes, I agree that it's tough to really quantify the difference in prices. Like I said, there are two factors, inflation and wealth. You capture the inflation part in your GS-4 comparison. The real question is the relative wealth component. We'd probably agree that $22k per year is really pocket change, and lower than someone fresh out of the army could get today. My guess would be that in 1957, that was a pretty good job. This is the relative wealth. People produce more today, and get paid ALOT more. I bet if we looked up your old job today, that classification is probably a GS-9 or greater. (The feds deal with this by up-scoping jobs).

I guess my point is that guns were BIG money back in the day. Not many people had like 20 guns. Among gun guys today, that's not uncommon at all. I often think I'd be better off selling like 5 or 10 guns, and buying a Rock River or Les Baer. I can only really shoot one gun at a time.

Oh, and in 1920 I would definitely get a prewar 1911; a S&W first model hand ejector in .44 spl; and a Colt New Service in .45 colt (adjustable sights, if they had them). A 2 inch Colt OPP or S&W K frame, preferably nickled, would be the deep concealment ticket. My immediate problem would be feeding myself. I really have no wage-earning potential in 1920. Computers and cubes hadn't been invented, and I don't have any manual labor type skills. Oh, and I'm not into baseball, so I couldn't make millions betting on the world series.

-John

[Jim K]

Hi, John C.,

If I had a time machine, and could take stuff along, I wouldn't stop at 1920.

"Hi, Sam, sorry to hear you have closed your factory here in Paterson, but I would like to buy some of the guns you have left...."

Jim

[mjb]

My Grandfather had a Colt 1908 .380 at that time. I have one now.

[gezzer]

Ithaca Auto-Burglar in 20 gauge