...in 1910? Just for kicks....if the year were 1910, and there wasn't a 1911 in the works "out there somewhere" that you would/could otherwise wait to acquire.....what would be your handgun of choice? Keep in mind...there is no 1911, no .45ACP, no .357 Magnum, no .40S&W. What would you have as your "chosen instrument" if you didn't know what you do about "modern" ballistics, and all you knew was what we now consider the "classics"? Would you carry a S&W .38 Safety Hammerless? Some other top-break? A Peacemaker? A Luger? Some manner of .32-20? Open carry a Merwin and Hulbert or a Colt Dragoon? The same thing your granddad carried? A brick?
Let the musings begin.
And pictures are always good, especially if you've got one of what your relatives/ancestors carried with 'em in roughly the same time period.
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Oyeboten
September 26, 2009, 04:36 AM
There was the Model 1905 Colt
.45 Automatic...and they are lovely and very accurate and comfortable. Loadings were a little less powerful than those of the 1911.
But...temping as that maybe...
If it was 1910, and I was walking into a New-and-Used Gun Store for a couple of serious 'Carry' Hand Guns...
It'd be...a Colt Single Action Bisley, long Barrel, in .45 Long Colt...
And, a Colt, so-called 'Sporting Model' of 1902, in .38 ACP.
And, Shoulder Holsters, and a few Boxes of Ammo for each, please...
Then I'd walk BACK in, and, get an M1905,.45 Auto...
You all realize that the Triple Lock works backward?
The pin (the third lock) is in the frame and is pressed backward by a spring to enter it's recess on the crane block. On firing, recoil moves the frame backward, against the pressure of the spring, while the pin (an object at rest) tends to stay at rest. The third lock unlocks at precisely the moment is should be locked.
When Smith and Wesson brought out retro-versions of the Triple Lock, the pin was replaced by a ball-bearing in the crane. With this arrangement, the gun locks up tighter at the moment of firing.
This explains why nothing bad happened when the third lock was discontinued.
Lowlander91
September 26, 2009, 03:50 PM
in 1910 it would have to be a sawn-off double barrel
Broken11b
September 26, 2009, 09:50 PM
1902 colt browning auto pistol, or the peacemaker, either one
orionengnr
September 26, 2009, 10:25 PM
Until someone invents a time machine, this question is an irrelevant hypothetical.
Might as well ask "What caliber is best for Tyranosaurus Rex"?
well, what caliber is best for t-rex, might have to start that thread
BlindJustice
September 26, 2009, 10:52 PM
S&W Triple Lock .44 Special & find ammo with the
Semi-Wadcutter shape. & if the only barrel lenth
was 5 1/2" or longer, I'd find a good smith to cut it back
to 3 1/2" Length I think S&W called it the 2nd Model
Hand EJector, the 1rst Model Hand ejector was the 1899
.38 SPecial that would become the M&P and eventually
the Model 10. The 2nd MOdel Hand Ejector/Triple lock
production stopped in 1915 and is the original N frame
Randall
CornCod
September 26, 2009, 11:29 PM
FN Browning Model 1910 in .380acp. I used to handle a friend's from time-to-time. A simple and elegant piece of machinery.
Quiet
September 27, 2009, 12:22 AM
Hmmm....
Luger P-08 (9x19mm)
Mauser C-96 (7.63x25mm)
Webley Mk IV (.455Webley)
tequilayan
September 27, 2009, 12:29 AM
The Smith and Wesson model 10 came out in 1899,i like this ``http://www.photosnag.com/img/4713/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif. thx for it~
woad_yurt
September 27, 2009, 01:26 AM
So, what would you choose to carry......
It would depend upon where I was. Lots of places didn't permit carrying so I would go with a small Iver Johnson/H&R-type .38.
If all other things were equal or didn't matter, though, I'd probably go with the Luger. Back then, a bunch of 9MMs in removable magazines was quite a bump up in power, capacity and reloadability.
shotgunjoel
September 27, 2009, 01:35 AM
Colt 1903 Hammerless, or a Luger. Might take a Colt 38 revolver. Hmm... too many choices.
devildog66
September 27, 2009, 09:08 AM
Colt SAA with a 4" barrel.
Now about this T Rex conundrum...:scrutiny: Something big yet man portable, must be able to penetrate thick skull to get to tiny brain. I'll get back to you.
Pilot
September 27, 2009, 09:29 AM
Colt SAA most likely as P-08's and C-96's were probably pretty rare as was their ammo here in the states.
Peter M. Eick
September 27, 2009, 12:32 PM
Triple lock in 44 special would be my first choice. I am partial to longer barrels like a 6.5" but as a carry gun I would go for a 4 or 5" one.
As a collector, I would make sure it had factory target sights and was nickeled since they seem to hold up better.
Finally, as a collector I would of bought a second one. I would have buried it in cosmoline or something similar and then gone to one of the huge banks in some place like kansas city and bought a safe deposit box. I would then put it in with a 100 year payment on the box for my great grandkids to open along with the box and paperwork.
Now that would be something to open up next year!
strangelittleman
September 27, 2009, 12:43 PM
Since I did a list of revolvers, here my list of autos:
1st: Browning M1903 In 9mm Browning Long
2nd: Savage M1907 in .32ACP
3rd: Colt M1903 in .32 ACP
1911Tuner
September 27, 2009, 03:45 PM
4 and 5/8ths inch SAA in .44-40/.44 WCF caliber so I could have a carbine that took the same round.
rcmodel
September 27, 2009, 04:06 PM
Everyone picking semi-auto's should keep in mind the JHP high-performance bullets of today had not been invented yet.
If you carried a 9mm Luger or other semi-auto caliber, you carried FMJ-RN ammo in it.
Not the best "stopper" in the world.
And 9mm Luger or 7.65 Mauser was not widely available anywhere in the U.S. in 1910.
I would pick the 4 3/4" or 5 1/2" .45 Colt SAA, which was the true Magnum of the day.
(A 4" SAA would have to have the ejector rod chopped off too short for positive ejection.)
A Colt new service is just too big for my hands.
If I had the option of handloading, a 5" Triple-lock in .44 Spl would get-R-done. The wimpy factory loads always left much to be desired for anything except target shooting at paper.
rc
NMGonzo
September 27, 2009, 04:23 PM
.45 long colt revolver with some kind of chopped off snub barrel and grips.
kd7nqb
September 27, 2009, 04:23 PM
Hell if its 1910 was the Thompson around? I think they were early 1900's so if thats available I will take a Tommy gun. If not a Triple Lock in .44spl
rcmodel
September 27, 2009, 04:54 PM
Invented in 1919, too late for this dance.
rc
Brian Williams
September 27, 2009, 06:05 PM
Special order a S&W in 45 Colt.
EmGeeGeorge
September 27, 2009, 06:27 PM
Colt 1903... in 32... on person
Ithaca Auto and Burglar in 12 Gauge under the seat...
S&W No.3 in .44 spl for special occasions
conhntr
September 27, 2009, 06:33 PM
saa .45
id carry it in 2010 also...
Nugilum
September 27, 2009, 06:42 PM
4 and 5/8ths inch SAA in .44-40/.44 WCF caliber so I could have a carbine that took the same round.
Nutz, 1911Tuner beat me to it.
Nice traditional round during that time, and it had proven itself reliable. Also in 1910, It was kinda important to have a rifle too (Where I would have lived). Ammo consolidation. :)
blue german
September 27, 2009, 07:34 PM
It's 1910 and, while the Luger has some interest for me, I'd choose a pair of Colt 1903 pocket Hammer autos in 38 ACP with a dual shoulder rig. And from Colt ...request a spare barrel chambered in 9mm Luger from their tool shop/custom shop. (Just in case and just 'cause I can and Colt will supply it when there is money to be made). And purchase at least four spare mags (my own gun has a spare). I own one of the last 1903s made and it has worked well for me on those occasions I have shot it. My own 1903 came with a light leather shoulder rig intended to be worn with a vest...... my guess is it's original to the pistol and from the twenties or thirties. It has a pouch for two spare mags. That last answered the question: Did people carried spare mags for autos in my Great grandfather's time?
For ammo, Robin Hood is producing a 38 ACP soft point loading about this time (I actually own a box and a half of these rounds) that actually does expand in wet-pack telephone books. At least, it looks nasty with those soft-point cupro nickel slugs in the brass 38 Auto cases.
For those of you who wonder, the 38 ACP was a fairly hot round in it's day. I have an article that speaks of a 107 grain 38 ACP loading at 1307fps. That is hot! This is from an article reproduced in the book HISTORY OF THE COLT REVOLVER by HAVEN & BELDEN.:neener:
It was only after the 38 Super came along the 38 ACP was loaded down.
Dr.Rob
September 27, 2009, 07:37 PM
Colt New Service 45 Colt, worn cross draw (open carry).
Colt 1908 .380 (concealed carry)
on second thought,
maybe Colt Army Special 4 inch in .32-20. I really like the way .32-20 shoots.
The same pistol I carry in 2009...Browning 1910.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h61/amd6547/P1000892.jpg
Onmilo
September 27, 2009, 11:49 PM
Smith and Wesson N Frame .44 Special Target 5" barrel
Small gun would have been a S&W New Departure .38 S&W
Dr.Rob
September 28, 2009, 12:10 AM
I almost voted for the Browning 1910, it's a very well made piece and everything I've read says they are fantastic, but I've never actually handled one.
That's the only reason it didn't make the list.
evan price
September 28, 2009, 06:47 AM
Well, I have a couple of them today-
In 1908 Colt's patented firearms manufacturing company came out with a rugged double-action six-shooter they called the "Army Special .38" that was built for the .38 S&W Special caliber. It was available in 4,5,& 6" barrels, and .32 and .38 caliber. It was the precursor to the modern Police Positive and Official Police, and the Mark III Trooper. It was never actually sold to the Army and was renamed "Official Police" in the 20's iirc.
That's almost as long as the Smith & Wesson Military & Police (also called a Model 10).
I'll take a Colt Army Special .38 and load it with the heavy police load .38-44 and I won't feel undergunned.
Mp7
September 28, 2009, 07:10 AM
sawn off shotgun with sawn off stock. ( where sawn-offs illegal then?)
maybe one of these............
http://warrelics.eu/forum/military_photos/firearms-ordnance/26312d1233487624t-fn-model-1903-2-variations-2009_0201fn1903.jpg
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:rjGawv5772Ik6M:http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/images/real%25201903/model%25201903-4.jpg
Jim Watson
September 28, 2009, 10:05 AM
I'm a city boy and would not carry one of those .44 or .45 cannons around and can't afford the cost of one as a house gun.
It would be a tossup between the new S&W .38 Perfected and a .32 Hand Ejector although I would be tempted by the 1903 Colt .32 (The 1908 .380 KICKS!) and might even buy into Bat Masterson's plug for the Savage .32, Ten Shots Quick. I'd save the rest of my money because rumor has it that a fellow in San Francisco has talked S&W into building some substantial .22 target revolvers that should be out next year.
On firing, recoil moves the frame backward, against the pressure of the spring, while the pin (an object at rest) tends to stay at rest
Not just the Triple Lock, Vern, they all do that. I have seen high-speed photos showing the front ejector rod tip latch completely out of touch.
I'll take a Colt Army Special .38 and load it with the heavy police load .38-44 and I won't feel undergunned.
Sorry, Evan, that load won't be out for another 20+ years.
eatont9999
September 28, 2009, 10:24 AM
A colt 1902 or 1908 for an automatic.
Maybe some kind of colt 45 or 44 spl revolver.
I would then invent the 1911. I would invent a lot of things and become very rich. I would also invest in the stock market at the right times.
gunnie
September 28, 2009, 10:57 AM
..."Quote:
On firing, recoil moves the frame backward, against the pressure of the spring, while the pin (an object at rest) tends to stay at rest
Not just the Triple Lock, Vern, they all do that. I have seen high-speed photos showing the front ejector rod tip latch completely out of touch."...
there is very little recoil transmitted to the firearm until the bullet leaves the bbl anyway.
gunnie
funkychinaman
September 28, 2009, 01:31 PM
Wow, AMD, OLD. SCHOOL.
I'd go with the Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless. Before people cry "stopping power" though, keep in mind cops probably weren't packing that as much firepower. The German army was content using .30 Luger in their service pistols and cops had six shooters and that more more than enough.
As for the T-rex, I'd say an M40 recoilless rifle. Or if portability is an issue, an M18 recoilless rifle.
Jim Watson
September 28, 2009, 04:03 PM
The German army was content using .30 Luger in their service pistols
I have never seen any mention of the German army using .30 Luger. The 9mm came out in 1902 or 1903. The German Navy adopted the 9mm in 1904 and the Army in 1908. They had not previously issued Lugers.
The Swiss, Portugese, and Finns issued .30s, but how many wars were they fighting? (The Finns went to 9mm before they bumped up against the Soviets.)
batjka
September 28, 2009, 04:16 PM
This is a tough one...
Pocket carry - Bayard 1908 .32 or even .380
Holster carry - FN 1903 in 9mm Long. I would keep the shoulder stock in the vehicle in just in case...
50caliber123
September 28, 2009, 04:55 PM
What was available as surplus then (similar to the makarov/tokarevs of today)?
wheelgunslinger
September 28, 2009, 05:05 PM
I'd either be carrying a LeMat or a SAA in 45 colt. Probably the Colt. Though, I like the idea of the LeMat well enough.
I'm not too worried about gentlemanly carriage in cities.
ccsniper
September 28, 2009, 05:23 PM
savage model 1907
Vern Humphrey
September 28, 2009, 05:30 PM
I'd either be carrying a LeMat or a SAA in 45 colt. Probably the Colt. Though, I like the idea of the LeMat well enough.
The LeMat, of course was a cap-and-ball, not cartridge revolver. While the large diameter cylinder did give a few extra shots, the "grapeshot" barrel was pretty much a failure -- unless you always fired it first. Otherwise, the shot charge would creep down the bore with each discharge from the cylinder.
Dienekes
September 30, 2009, 02:12 AM
A 1905 Colt .45 auto is tempting, but I could get along nicely with a Colt SA 4 3/4" in .45 Colt. Could also be comfortable with a 5" Triple Lock Target. Would have to check but I think there were some pretty wad-cutter like bullet designs available from Lyman in .44 caliber those days.
I don't recall hearing too much about excessive force or lawsuits back in those simpler days either.
makarovnik
September 30, 2009, 05:30 AM
S&W Russian.
alistaire
September 30, 2009, 01:20 PM
Colt Single Action Elepahnt Model for 1902.
I'd have two: one in .470 Nitro Exp. the other in 5.5 Velo-dog
wheelgunslinger
September 30, 2009, 03:59 PM
The LeMat, of course was a cap-and-ball, not cartridge revolver. While the large diameter cylinder did give a few extra shots, the "grapeshot" barrel was pretty much a failure -- unless you always fired it first. Otherwise, the shot charge would creep down the bore with each discharge from the cylinder
Yes, I realize the limitations of the LeMat having fired and fondled originals.
If you're concerned for my well being because of the cap and ball option, would you feel better if I imported one in 12mm? :)
I also like the architecture of it. It's pleasing to the eye.
Vern Humphrey
September 30, 2009, 04:04 PM
If you're concerned for my well being because of the cap and ball option, would you feel better if I imported one in 12mm?
Nope. When it's your butt on the line, I think you should make your own choices.
But I must admit, I would have thought about it a long time before I thought of a LeMat. And I wouldn't think much about it.
rondog
September 30, 2009, 04:09 PM
Post #5 for me, thank you.
wheelgunslinger
September 30, 2009, 04:10 PM
LeMat also makes one heck of a good bludgeon after you run out of ammo. :)
I believe there was a late edition of the LeMat that was pinfire. (In the revolver cylinder only, the grapeshot barrel was still percussion.)
Pax Romana
September 30, 2009, 08:53 PM
This is a very easy question.
I would have either a Webley-Fosbery or a Webley RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) revolver, in. 455 of course . I would also have a handlebar mustache, and my wife would have died of typhoid in 1908 from drinking from the Thames river.
How wonderous was the Edwardian age! Just imagine if I had chosen an American pistol...
Pax Romana
September 30, 2009, 08:54 PM
Hey, do you think we could change the date to 1915? That way, I would carry a Chauchat, for the sake of reliability :)
redmule
September 30, 2009, 10:55 PM
Colt New Service, 45 Colt, 4 1/2" barrel. A superior revolver, with better sights than comparable Smith & Wesson offerings. Fairly light, with an excellent single action trigger pull. I had one when I was younger, traded for something that I really needed.
Dimis
September 30, 2009, 10:56 PM
one of these of course in .45Colt... ok maybe two ;)
theotherwaldo
September 30, 2009, 11:12 PM
Probably a S&W or Iver Johnson .38 hammerless, just like almost everyone else that actually carried a gun concealed. The rest carried vest-pocket .25s.
Jed Carter
October 1, 2009, 06:08 AM
Model 1911, prior to acceptance by the US Army in 1911, Browning's / Colt's .45 acp pistol must have been available to the general population.
Oyeboten
October 1, 2009, 07:04 AM
Model 1911, prior to acceptance by the US Army in 1911, Browning's / Colt's .45 acp pistol must have been available to the general population.
Not until some ways into 1912...
The first Model 1911s were leaving the Factory in April 1912, if memory serve...and, would have been hard to get for the first year or so.
The Model 1905 was available to the public till around 1912, or, when ever stock-on-hand ran out...with used ones or not-sold ones being available thereafter.
The 1905 was a little lighter loading than the 1911, about on par with .44 Russian...so, no slouch, but, later Ammo could harm it's different Slide/Barrel arrangement.
The 1905, mechanically, was essentially a .45 Calibre version of the 1903 'Pocket Hammer' .38 Auto.
If I were in the country, I'd open carry a Colt Single Action Army revolver.
VHSBD
October 4, 2009, 12:02 PM
Webley Mk V, or a 1908 Hammerless.
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