[SharpsDressedMan]

I know it's 2012, and the end is near (The Mayan apocalypse due on Dec 21st), but part of me still relaxes, and conjures up thoughts of walking a trail, kicking around mountains or foothills out west, or even getting into some thick, less traveled woods here in Ohio, without a care, deadline, worry, or obligation. I seem to see myself with an older pistol at my side, and maybe a leather gunbelt and holster. Comfortable but sturdy hiking boots, a pair of jeans, button up shirt, and a good field jacket. Since its fall, and the colors are out now, this seems just right.....sunny, but crisp. Cool, but not cold. A breeze, but not bone chilling windchill. Every knot on a fallen tree branch is a potential target. Every white rock on a distant hillside. My thoughts bounce between my Colt Super, an old S&W Hand Ejector in .45 Colt, or maybe a newer "old" gun, a Ruger Flattop in .44 Mag (a remake of an older version). I have some plastic guns, and such, but the classics seem to want to be included in a classic pastime, and such a trek with holstered sidearm might have taken place 50, even 100 years ago. A 10mm Glock is a great field gun, but it never makes the cut for my fantasy adventure. Time to walk and rest, time to reminisce; to remember friends, living, and gone. And when the deep thoughts wander away, picking a target, and making some noise in an otherwise quiet world. Maybe it's blasphemy against nature, or maybe it's the lion in me roaring at nature, and the world. For whatever reason, shooting is a deep release, and a challenge to the mind with the discipline it demands. Sometimes I can even feel it in a daydream; I don't even have to be shooting. But I'm a shooter, and I can say I cannot recall a genuine feeling of personal hostile intent towards another human with a gun. I shoot for fun, and to be competent. I have had to draw a gun, and maybe shoot a person in the line of duty, but it was always "stricly business"; I never felt true anger at those opponents. As it turned out, I never had to shoot anyone. I thank God for that, even though I think it would not cripple me like it does some. I am more than happy to mix my shooting with the nostalgia of my history and gun culture, and to relish in the times when I do get to walk the woods, foothills, or trails. Even if it's only in my head and heart. ..................................................................................................................................................................... http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/matquig/DSC05236.jpg

[ColtPythonElite]

Most of me lives in the past...with exception to my right thumb that let me type this post on my new fangled phone.

[Certaindeaf]

Good words.

I shall contribute..

Oh beer can, oh beer can,

blam blam blam!

[orionengnr]

Nicely done.

[loose noose]

SharpsDressedMan, I think just about anyone that has been shooting for any time can relate to that. Fact is, I'm back into blackpowder shooting, and here I am a NRA Certified modern day firearms instructor.:rolleyes::D

[doc2rn]

Dark blueing and real wood has its appeal!

[galena]

Living in the "old days" has always appealed to me. Sometimes I think I was born 100 years too late. However, when I was in the Eighth grade (1957) my home room teacher asked that question "Who would like to live in the old days? Most of us raised our hands. Then he asked "Who has had appendisitis?" (sp) Several of us raised our hands. He said, "You are dead." Then he said, "Who has had pnuemonia?" (sp) Several more raised their hands. He said, "You are dead." He then said "Who has ever had pennicilin shots for an infection?" A couple more raised their hands. He said, "You are dead." By the time he got through asking about common childhood injuries/illnesses there were three of four of the class who would have still been alive. As one who had both appendisitis and pnuemonia by the time I was eleven years old and two concussions by the time I was 12, I am sort of glad I am living at the time in history that I am. Be thankful for what you were given, it could have been worse at a different time. Keep shootin and check 6.

[JEB]

well said sharps, well said!

[PzGren]

I enjoyed reading your story and feel the same. Whenever I can I just have a walk in the woods and enjoy the solitude and silence.

I also had my interest in older guns rekindled and am now waiting for my third Luger this year.

[parisite]

I like to say I grew up and matured out of the hi capacity-polymer stage of my life. They were ok when they were new to me but I soon found no pride of ownership with them. They worked fine but not really something you would have pride in passing down to the next generation. It seems S&W revolvers and 1911's and an occasional High Standard 22 are all I take out shooting anymore. Blued steel and walnut.......there's no substitute for it.

[riceboy72]

I enjoyed reading this immensely -- so much so, I read it several times. Thanks for a great piece that hit home perfectly.

[Vern Humphrey]

Colt revolvers and pre-64 Winchester Model 70s is where it's at.:p

[gp911]

Great thread! I miss the days of my youth in SE Ohio walking in the woods with my bolt action .410, my brother's break-action .410, or my Daisy Powerline 860. Just walking along plinking at targets of opportunity or not shooting anything at all, maybe having a stray/feral dog come say hello and walk along for a bit... Man, those were good times...

[Vern Humphrey]

Now stop that!!

It puts me aboard my cowhorse, Two Bit, in my Schoelkoph Jumbo saddle, with a .30-30 Winchester in the saddle boot and miles and miles of woods, trails, creeks and bluffs ahead of me.

[huntsman]

I'm stuck in the 70's myself :)

[gspn]

Reminds me of the stories of President Theodore Roosevelt leaving the White House on his horse, riding through Rock Creek Park, and shooting his revolver at targets of opportunity as he charged.

Can you imagine?

[Vern Humphrey]

Yep -- but how could he tell his targets were Democrats?

[Malamute]

Come shoot a few grouse.

I'll be going out again this week, likely taking the Ruger 45, Winchester 71, and the Malamute bird dog up in the mountains. It ain't the past, but it ain't bad (or maybe I should say, it ain't the past, but you can see it from here).

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/outdoor%20sports/IMG_2434.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/outdoor%20sports/IMG_0439.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/IMG_3688.jpg

One of my good grouse spots,

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/IMG_0122.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/WinchesterandGrouse.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/IMG_0312.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/IMG_0366.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/Malamute/IMG_1489.jpg

[tarosean]

It puts me aboard my cowhorse, Two Bit, in my Schoelkoph Jumbo saddle, with a .30-30 Winchester in the saddle boot and miles and miles of woods, trails, creeks and bluffs ahead of me.


Yep kinda hard to imagine a nice leather rifle scabbard made for an AR.. LOL

Unfortunately I live in TX and cannot ride for too long without hitting private property.. boy do I miss Southern CO/Northern NM...

[Checkman]

Living in the "old days" has always appealed to me. Sometimes I think I was born 100 years too late. However, when I was in the Eighth grade (1957) my home room teacher asked that question "Who would like to live in the old days? Most of us raised our hands. Then he asked "Who has had appendisitis?" (sp) Several of us raised our hands. He said, "You are dead." Then he said, "Who has had pnuemonia?" (sp) Several more raised their hands. He said, "You are dead." He then said "Who has ever had pennicilin shots for an infection?" A couple more raised their hands. He said, "You are dead." By the time he got through asking about common childhood injuries/illnesses there were three of four of the class who would have still been alive. As one who had both appendisitis and pnuemonia by the time I was eleven years old and two concussions by the time I was 12, I am sort of glad I am living at the time in history that I am. Be thankful for what you were given, it could have been worse at a different time. Keep shootin and check 6.

There you go. My daughter was very ill nine years ago. She would have died in the "old days". Instead she is very healthy and getting ready to graduate thanks to the evil old 21 st century. Same goes for my wife a couple of times. I've had surgey for Kidney Stones. Sheer agony kidney stones. thank you for MRI's. lasers and modern surgical techniques. Whenever I get to wistful for the old days I remember those times and decide 2012 isn't that bad.

I do collect older revolvers though. Just because I'm a realist doesn't mean I can't daydream.

[mdauben]

While I certainly enjoy the latest plastic fantastic technology the firearms industry has to offer, I agree there continues to be a visceral appeal to old rifles, old handguns, and old cartridges.

[buck460XVR]

Part of me lives in the past also, but I enjoy mine with a stick and string instead of gunpowder and lead. No wheels or pulleys allowed.

[MagnumDweeb]

I do wish for those old firearms. I love watching Boardwalk Empire, but every time my fiancee says she wishes she lived back then I remind her how inadequate medical sciences were and how we would be dead ten times over (in one scene a character admits that only five of her nine children were still alive).

I do wish they'd make "modern" Colt 1903s. I've shot a couple and thy're just fun. I wish they'd make a "moder" C-96 able to handle 7.62 Tokarev, as those pistols are just fun and real good target shooters from the few times I've been able to shoot them.

If I could I'd wear a "modern" C-96 with 5.5" barrel in on my hip and a "modern" Colt 1903 in my oppossite pocket. And I wouldn't feel undergunned for a second.

I wish I could bring myself to buy these old guns but I would just want to shoot them till they fell apart and that wouldn't be good for those old guns. Guess I'll have to buy the new S&W 1917s and Model 22s and 21s.

[Lawdawg45]

Barkeep, 3 fingers of Knob Creek for my friend SharpsDressedMan!:D

LD

[SharpsDressedMan]

Sounds good! I propose that we all toast tomorrow night, separtately, but together, at 6:00pm. We'll all get checked in on THR, and sip our preferred libation at the same time, to honor the spirit of good gun days gone by. I don't have any Knob Creek on hand (I'll have to come over for that sometime in the future), but I do have some Henry McKenna, the favorite of Skeeter Skelton. Darn hard to come by here in Ohio, since it isn't on the state list of saleable liquors. Anyone up for a drink?

[bannockburn]

Sharps

What you wrote reminded me of the great stories by Skeeter Skelton that I enjoyed reading when I was much younger. He conjured up such vivid recollections of when he was a kid and how much guns and shooting were such an integral part of his life. I could never get enough of his real life stories as well as the fictionalized accounts of people he knew back then.

Now I have been pretty much a "city boy" all my life, never being even remotely anywhere near where Skeeter lived most of his life; and certainly not in the same time period, but still there's that part of me that would have liked to have experienced some of the things that he did back in the "good old days". It seemed like he made do with very little, but got the maximun amount of enjoyment and pleasure with what he had.

As for now though, I will have to rely on my imagination and on some of my own memories to take a trip to some other time and place in the past.

[Certaindeaf]

In for 6:00. I'll have my enameled steel Sierra cup with a couple fingers of Woodford's Reserve.
prolly a cigar, too

Skål, and to good times.

[BullRunBear]

That's a wonderful image. I don't live in the past but I enjoy using the parts of it that suit me: manual typewriters, fountain pens, black powder firearms, wool shirts that last forever, a worn fedora, guns that show the use of years, etc.

My version has me walking through woods in November with an old 20 ga. SxS shotgun over my arm and my Ruger Single-Six (from the mid-50s) on my hip. Doesn't matter if I shoot but I like to have the means. Cold, crisp air, the slight crunch of dry leaves on the ground and a slow walk in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Lovely!

I'll be glad to lift a glass of George Dickel No. 12 tomorrow evening.

Jeff

[788Ham]

I'll be here a'waitn' on ya'll @ 6:00, don't be late!

[Checkman]

BullRunBear

My version has me walking through woods in November with an old 20 ga. SxS shotgun over my arm and my Ruger Single-Six (from the mid-50s) on my hip. Doesn't matter if I shoot but I like to have the means. Cold, crisp air, the slight crunch of dry leaves on the ground and a slow walk in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Lovely!

Good image. My image is of me carrying a Smith & Wesson Outdoorsman with the 5" barrel and Roper grips in a custom holster with a flap (hey it's my daydream) and a Winchester 1897 "Bush" shotgun (24" barrel) in 12 gauge wearing a Chamois shirt and a worn leather jacket and a fedora of some sort. Very late thirties.

[StrawHat]

SharpsDressedMan,

I often walk Ohio fields or woods and like you have come to prefer the simpler, more efficient way of life. I have a couple of S&W M&Ps I carry along (32 WCF or 38 Special) or one of my N frame 45s. All can be counted on to do what is needed on the walk. Sometimes, I even carry the old M17. A box of ammo is small enough and hardly weighs anything. Once sighted in, my firearms rarley see a formal target again.

Won't be able to attend the 6:00 oçlock gathering but I will be there in spirit.

Enjoy the walks, enjoy the life, remember the experience.

[SharpsDressedMan]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/matquig/DSC06573-1.jpg

[BullRunBear]

Here's to all these kindred souls!

SIP!! (Sound of George Dickel Tennessee whiskey being enjoyed.)

Jeff

[SharpsDressedMan]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/matquig/DSC06574.jpg

....................................Man, that was warm! Hope you all enjoyed the moment, or will if you came late to the party.

[hso]

Memory is where the past lies, long left behind. Forward is where we looked in those days and forward is the only direction to take us where we wish to be.

[SharpsDressedMan]

Forward may also take us where we don't want to be. We really don't get to choose, but we can remember better times, even when they don't exist in the present.

[Certaindeaf]

May our powder ever be dry, our shot plentiful and aim true.

To those gone before us.

[ArfinGreebly]

We measure our present against the past.

We will measure our future against the present.

And there are more things than just one to measure. Are things better for us today than they were?

Are we better people today than we were?

Will we be better people tomorrow?

Can we make tomorrow better than today?

No, we don't live in the past, but we can use it to take measure of where we are, where we've been, and where we're going.

[Malamute]

Many of us enjoy a little "living in the past" in various ways. It isnt neccesarily good or bad in and of itself, and I think it means different things to different people. For many, I believe it helps relieve some tension. Not that they want to turn back time, but some aspects of the "modern world" tend to grate on ones nerves at times.

Fooling with old guns, reading history, vsiting places that allow you to slow down some helps distract us from some of the stresses, and get ourselves centered again. Different things work for different people. Some do it to different degrees. It's funny at times to read of people today thinking of how calmer life could be 50-60 years ago, (or pick the time frame), yet reading those folks writings from that time, they did the same thing. Thoreau was writing in the 1840's about how people had changed and the world seemed to be going faster.

I think most of it is harmless and theraputic (some can go a bit overboard in my opinion, but I'm not their keeper, so more power to them). I love my little log cabin on the edge of wild country, I can't imagine living anywhere else, or in a "normal" house. I love my old guns, and the history around me. I also like my computer, and modern medicine and vehicles, and many modern guns. I see no contradiction, I just pick and choose what I like to surround myself with, with what works for me, and what makes me happy.

[Checkman]

Malamute

Many of us enjoy a little "living in the past" in various ways. It isnt neccesarily good or bad in and of itself, and I think it means different things to different people. For many, I believe it helps relieve some tension. Not that they want to turn back time, but some aspects of the "modern world" tend to grate on ones nerves at times.

Fooling with old guns, reading history, vsiting places that allow you to slow down some helps distract us from some of the stresses, and get ourselves centered again. Different things work for different people. Some do it to different degrees. It's funny at times to read of people today thinking of how calmer life could be 50-60 years ago, (or pick the time frame), yet reading those folks writings from that time, they did the same thing. Thoreau was writing in the 1840's about how people had changed and the world seemed to be going faster.

Well said. Very astute.

[TaylorBrassjole73]

Ya know, the young gun culture pretty revolves around everything tactical. All of my friends have Glocks and ARs. Just about everyone I see at the range has something suitably tactical to. Everyone wants to be a CQB master special operator. We love our modern toys. I envy the days of my grandfather who has endless stories of the good ole days and un-posted land But at the same time, at least in Louisiana, we do the same things our grandfathers did as young men. When it's time for a coon hunt, away goes the 5.56 and out comes the single shot .22 that was passed down. Away goes the tactical vest and we don the field jackets. I admit, I love the modern toys, but at the same time I and most of the people I know still have all the "old stuff" and enjoy it just as much. I love getting out there looking for scrapes and rubs with a single action in a leather holster on the side. The old days are gone yes, but for my generation we are creating new good ole days of our own in much of the same way you all did. To me, those days are not gone, just evolved. I love hearing my great uncles talk about how they are glad to see us youngins doing the same they did as kids. Maybe its an AR-15, instead of a Model 70, but the chase remains the same.

[TaylorBrassjole73]

Apologies for the lack of paragraphs, this "smart phone" has bested me.

[Tinpig]

I've always thought that on gunboards, where you don't really know your fellow posters, you can always tell a lot about someone by the kinds of guns he chooses to own.
I think I'd like Sharps Dressed Man...his guns look just like mine.;)

Cheers!

Tinpig

[wlewisiii]

Memory is where the past lies, long left behind. Forward is where we looked in those days and forward is the only direction to take us where we wish to be.
This.

[PapaG]

My philosophy about shooting is " if it goes bang or twang" I 'm for it. I have shot competitively in black powder, trap, skeet, cast bullet, pins, benchrest and other disciplines and have a job that requires that I carry. I don't want to shoot anyone but if my life or that of my kin is threatened, I will. I have used a gun to stop a breakin. I'm tight with many Leo's and respect the work they and our servicemen do. I have land, hunt, fish and camp. I think the most fun was with the true muzzleloaders, here, in the field and at Friendship. I think our present administration has us on the road to hell, or at least bankruptcy and impending socialism. I like my toilet, frige and gas range. I guess I'd like to live a primitive life with some conveniences. We could survive on the farm....got water, tillable land, coal and deer and turkey. Owe no one. Trust in God. Love my kids and wife. Pretty happy and secure at 68. Hope to stay that way.

[Cocked & Locked]

I enjoy shooting this Uberti/Cimarron replica of a 1871-1872 Colt Open Top. It ain't the real thing of course, but a real one would be out of my price range if found. :scrutiny:

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6263277/404187077.jpg

This S&W .32-20 puts me in the past

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486421/399676556.jpg

So does my deceased father-in law's US Navy issue Victory Model.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486409/390236103.jpg

And a few old Colts

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259764/398513076.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259764/392326784.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259764/381649867.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259764/381416353.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259764/185725926.jpg

and a nickel 1917 US Property S&W

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259637/166278259.jpg

[wperez]

SharpsDressedMan, your thread reminds me of Skeeter and a little of Gene Hill, I can see and feel what you see and feel, it really moved me and it remainded me of what I stand for, I can only say a deeply felt amen.
Malemute, your pictures and post show that you are not close but really there, I can only say, beautiful

[Cosmoline]

I'm right there with you, but I keep going FURTHER into the past.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=173420&d=1350188493

[captain awesome]

Sharpsdressedman, well done. While being a relatively young'un to some of you, I have always loved the classics, and feel the same way. I wish I could have experienced the old days, and I would be one of the few to have survived childhood alive and kickin (my siblings wouldn't have though, so I am grateful to have them). Reading that just made me think of those wonderful firearms I have, and how much I enjoy life and the fact that we can do what you are talking about (wander the woods in solitude with a good leather rig and blued steel at my side). I might not have been there for the old days, but I like to think I can get a glimpse by enjoying the wilderness by myself, with no modern distractions. I am going to do just that the first chance I get when work dies down a bit, and I can have some time to myself.

Thank you for writing that.

[PabloJ]

I like ole' Ithaca 37s which can still be found for $300 or less just like 30 years ago. Oh yeh.

[Gordon]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/gordonhulme/P1020217.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/gordonhulme/P1020215.jpg

[tarosean]

^ very nice....

[Cocked & Locked]

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486409/381961110.jpg

[FERLACH]

Malamute, I envy you.

[mavracer]

As a 46 year old man who's still very capable of chasing a can with a 1/2 brick of 22s I get what your saying. I have a couple reservations due to medicine can I just visit the past and do I really have to drink whisky, I'd prefer Rum.

[Vern Humphrey]

Came back from walking out to get the mail (3/4 of a mile through the woods) and found 3 does in what I call "the back yard." It's Special Doe Season here in the Ozarks, and I was carrying my 7 1/2" barrel Colt New Service (made in 1906).:D

[MCgunner]

I read the title and immediately connected with the sentiment. :D I'm a little MORE old school, sometimes, but not for general concealed carry, not THIS retro....:D I love shooting 'em and carry this one afield a lot on my knock abouts. It's pretty accurate even by modern standards. I just like the things, though.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2cdan7p.jpg

[Malamute]

Came back from walking out to get the mail (3/4 of a mile through the woods) and found 3 does in what I call "the back yard." It's Special Doe Season here in the Ozarks, and I was carrying my 7 1/2" barrel Colt New Service (made in 1906).


Did you bring home a special doe?

[Vern Humphrey]

No, just an ordinary doe.:p