Elmer Keith Web Blog Article

[elhombreconnonombre]

Not necessarily black powder related, but a great web article on Elmer Keith:

http://www.sixguns.com/bunkhouse/elmer_keith.htm

 

[4v50 Gary]

Holy cow! Dad, will you break my left hand?

 

[swathdiver]

Didn't know about the burns until reading this article. Incidently, I've been rereading Sixguns these last few days.

Definitely one of the old breed that the namby pamby types being produced today would try to eviscerate for having the nerve to shoot from a horse, shoot eagles and gasp! keep ALL of his sixguns loaded ALL the time!

 

[whughett]

Well thank you for that hombre, I have to do more research on this man, starting with finding original prints of his books. I have "Six Guns" in a horrible reprint version, sitting in the rack by the "throne".

 

[Malamute]

Keiths book Hell, I Was There is an interesting read, and mentioned the burns and recovery. It had a bit more gun stuff that hadnt been mentioned elsewhere than Id expected also.

For those that had missed it when it surfaced before, theres a couple short recordings of Keith discussing the history of MT and ID in the Library of Congress. Googling "Elmer Keith recordings" should turn them up.

 

[Mk VII]

Although to many of his readers Keith's lifestyle seemed wonderful the reality was scarcity of cash, horrible injuries in a hotel fire set by an arsonist, working injuries, hard winters, and frequent severe illnesses in an age when five cents' worth of castor oil was cheaper than the doctor.

 

[swathdiver]

Although to many of his readers Keith's lifestyle seemed wonderful the reality was scarcity of cash, horrible injuries in a hotel fire set by an arsonist, working injuries, hard winters, and frequent severe illnesses in an age when five cents' worth of castor oil was cheaper than the doctor.

And those are the things that build character in a man. From the beginning, through this man's day and until a generation ago, these folks improvised, adapted and overcame.

Let those of us raising children or in positions of influence with youngsters not remove those ancient landmarks that build character, self-confidence and humility; for a country full of men without these traits will quickly consume itself.

 

[Malamute]

Although to many of his readers Keith's lifestyle seemed wonderful the reality was scarcity of cash, horrible injuries in a hotel fire set by an arsonist, working injuries, hard winters, and frequent severe illnesses in an age when five cents' worth of castor oil was cheaper than the doctor.

This is true, and the above post makes a good point about that. Something else to consider, that during the Great Depression, many people were cash poor, but managed to eat decently from hunting, gardening and their livestock. It may have been news to them that they were poor, but they lived relatively well compared to many living in cities and having to rely on soup lines for sustenance. Definitely not all roses, but things could be worse.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I will think twice before I complain about some aches and pains that come with middle age.

 

[perldog007]

good read

I have always enjoyed Taffin's writing too. Good post.

 

[Slapshot]

Elmer's sixguns book was responsible for me getting my first super Blackhawk .44 magnum. When I first got it I could hardly hit the ground with it. With perseverance I made it into the revolver international class IHMSA. I had a copy of his book Hell I was there and had it in storage. It got wet and was ruined. By the way I wore that first Blackhawk out. It took 16000 rounds. I met Bill Ruger Jr. At an international championship at Cour de Lene Idaho and told him that I had worn out one of his guns. The reply was that you couldn't wear it out, send it in and let us look at it. They returned it with almost all parts replaced. No charge.
Elmo

 

[swathdiver]

Ruger had and may still have an informal lifetime guarantee. But in my opinion, they should leave those old model blackhawks alone and not lawyer them up. That 1970 .41 Magnum is one sweet sixgun to shoot!

 

[bannockburn]

elhombreconnonombre

Thanks for the link, it made for some interesting reading. What I knew of Elmer Keith came from perusing his columns and articles for many years from "Guns and Ammo" magazine.