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Thanks

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All the kind comments much appreciated. We're currently working (not nearly fast enough) on re-publishing Good Friends, Good Guns and Good Whiskey. Hopefully it will be available in the next year. In the meantime, I've been trying to talk the magazine into re-printing a few of his old pieces.

As for Jim Wilson's beard, I was told that he started growing it after recently seeing his first Chuck Norris film.
 
Bart, I too was a big fan of your dad's, and admired his work more than any other writer I can think of. However I really appreciated it when I saw my son, at the time about 10-12 or so, reading "Skeeter Skelton on Handguns" until it literally fell apart. I think he enjoyed them as much as I did.
 
Bart, add me to the list.

I remember reading an article by your honored father where the byline was not "Skeeter". But only the one.

Your pappy was the most knowledgeable of all the handgun writers of his time. There were and are other adequate writers. But most of them are specialists in one way or another. The late Mr. Skelton knew about lawman requirements, military combat requirements, handgun hunting and target shooting. Not to mention a truly humble attitude - he knew who he was without pretense or false modesty - and a great sense of humor. I never got to met your dad, but I'm sure I'll recognize him in Heaven.

And... I served for six years as a Border Patrol Agent - not uninfluenced in that decision by your late father.

And, as others, I like your writing too. Keep it up; there's enough fluff articles about new products on the market. I still prefer knowledge tested in the fire. However, there is a danger here; you might give me to think I have something to say as well.
 
I've been following this thread since last night and thought I'd add my $.02...

I think I really should, since reading some of Elmer Keith's works and Jim Wilson's collumns, get ahold of Skeeter Skelton's works. Although he was dead before I knew who he was, I was sorta introduced over time through a smattering from other writers such as Jim Wilson relating the story a few years ago about that first Super Redhawk- the one Bill Ruger sent to Skeeter for the article- that became known as "Sally's Purse Gun". (Not to define people by one thing by any means.)

Bart, Whenever I get ahold of the magazine, your collumn is the first thing I look for. I've found some good appreciable human interest stories there that I've enjoyed. The Alaskan guide, Jose from Puerto Rico, for instance, sounds like an interesting character and a good guy to know. And the time the title said something like "Real Men Shoot .22's" struck a chord with me as I've thoroughly enjoyed my small selection of .22LR handguns and recognized your point. I figure to keep reading as long as you keep writing.
 
Welcome to THR. Good Friends is one of my most treasured books. I only "knew" your father through his writings. I enjoy what you write too, but I am also thankful for the opportunity to "talk" with you. Thank you and your dad.
 
Welcome to THR. I too grew up reading your Dad's stories. I used to read his article first when Shooting Times came in the mail.

Jeff
 
I especially liked the "Me and Joe" story where they found all the buried varmint hides.

I enjoy your border stories as well.
 
Bart, hope you don't mind

Johnnybgood, here is a link:
http://www.darkcanyon.net/index.html
At the Dark Canyon site you will find a number of articles by Bart's Dad, the one and only Skeeter Skelton. I hope I am not causing a copywrite problem, but for one like yourself that has not read Skeeter, it is a start.
Bart, your Dad was really not a gun writer, IMO. He was a people writer. He knew more about people than guns, and he just happened to have a great deal to add to the gun discourse. He was a storyteller in the best traditions, and I bet he was a hoot to be around. Any number of writers can give us expertise on guns, or ammo, but few can regale us with stories like Skeeter. I loved to read his work, and a magazine with his byline in it was always good reading.
We miss him. I didn't know him but I feel like I did.
I just saw you the other night on a tv show with some of your Dad's guns. Thanks for carrying on the tradition.
 
Skeeter

Johnybgood...If you've never read Skeeter Skelton, you've missed out on a great part of the gun culture. Want facts, fiction, wit and humor, and downright good entertainment? Ya gotta read Skeet!

Bart,
Welcome to The High Road and here's hoping that you'll be a frequent visitor. If there's a complete collection of your father's writings, please let me know how and where I can get it. I remember laughing over the "Me and Jug" adventures until the tears go so bad that I often couldn't see to read.
I saved many of his magazine articles, but lost them during a bitter divorce...along with a few treasured guns...that included a vengeful woman who knew exactly where to hit me. I'd like to have them all back. if such a collection exists...I'm ready to buy it.
 
1911Tuner,

Unfortunately, there is no complete Skeeter works available. Copies of his various books can be found on the web, though they're pricey. Thus our attempts to re-publish the Good Friends book. As I said, we hope to get this done before too long. It'll be a print on demand type of deal, but should work well. I had my own little book printed this way and it's not a bad way to go.

Art,

Like you, I've found Jim's CD to be well worth the money. Great songs by a great singer and friend. I've also found that playing the CD loudly at night in the desert oddly seems attract an inordinate number of coyotes and other varmints.
 
Mustanger98,

Sure appreciate your readership. I suppose I'll keep writing as long as they let me. It's good to know there's someone out there reading that stuff.

B
 
found all the buried varmint hides.
Click to expand...

No, it was the rabbit ears, wasn't it?

There was a .25 bounty on rabbits, but the local govt didn't want to dispose of rabbit carcasses, so they simply bought the ears.

And Skeeter (and friend) found where the ears were buried.

Or are you thinking of a different story?

Man, I miss his stories.
 
Welcome Bart! Your old man was a very good friend of mine even though we never met. I enjoyed his articles for years. Shooting times has not been the same without him. You can for sure be proud of him.
 
Bart Thanks for taking the time to visit. I too am a long time admirer of your Dad. He was a big, and a good, influence on me through his wonderful stories.My wife still wonders why I had to drive several hours out of the way to see Tierra Blanca creek.......We have a mutual friend, the one and only Nemo,recently retired from Customs....Come over to the Smith & Wesson forum and say Howdy, lots of old timers over there and we all loved your Dad....Ps I have your book and look forward to your next one......Tony
 
Thanks Tony. Nemo's probably not happy with me currently as I've ignored his several telephone calls since his retirement. Haven't done it on purpose, though. We miss the ol' Captain.
 
Bart give me an email sometime and I will share some Nemo stories with you. We went to the Arkansas LE Academy together back when they were still using cap & ball revolvers. su amigo [email protected]...............
 
Bart:
I'm glad to see you on THR.
Your father has also been discussed quite a bit on the Smith & Wesson forum, www.smith_wesson.com.

I think one of the first gun magazines I bought myself, after reading a neighbors cover to cover, was a Shooting Times with one of your father's articles in it.
 
JohnnyB-

You've never read Skeeter? Well, I haven't read much myself, but what I have has been a complete hoot! Ya gotta read Skeet!

Ya know, I just realized. We got Tom Gresham, Jeff Knox signed on last year sometime, now we got Bart Skelton. The company 'round here just keeps gettin' better. :cool:
 
WOW!! Thanks for visiting this little nook in the gun world! I really hope you hang around here because I am a Skelton (both) fan.
Skeeter is a legend that will be truely remembered and missed by some of us old geezers. I still have his book, "Hoglegs, Hipshots & Jalapenos. It is not only good reading but a book I tend to refer back to from time to time.
It looks as if you are following in his footsteps. You are doing a great job so please keep it up.

Jim
 
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Bart, I have often wanted to write a long letter to your dad and explain how he has led me astray. I started reading Shooting Times in 1971 and greatly enjoyed your dad's writing. At that time, I had no money and the only way I could "shoot" a Hi-Power or Smith 27 or 29 was through your dad.

I have worked hard, saved money and have acquired many guns over the years. Many of those were influenced by your dad and his writings. My first pistol was a Hi-Standard Plinker. Then I got a 1911 and then a Security Six. All cause he said so. My first new gun was a nickel 57 cause he had a nickel 29, but he said .41's were good. I now have many Smith revolvers and auto loaders by a number of makers.

I often go back and read those old articles and want to say, Hey Skeeter, I got one of those now, want to see it? You talked me into it.

I am going to have surgery soon and expect to spend my recuperation with those old magazines and your dad. Thanks so much for sharing him. I also enjoy your writing.
 
Welcome aboard, and add me to the list of Skeeter fans also.My favorites were the Me and Joe stories and also Dobe Grant. Your dad was one of 2 or 3 writers I wish I had corresponded with, the others being Elmer Keith and Col. Charles Askins.
 
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