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Post by tranger on Jul 9, 2009 13:30:57 GMT -5
If I had to pick a favorite gun writer, it would be a tough call; but the nod would go to Skeeter Skelton. I was in college the day I learned of his death and I can still remember the feeling of being punched in the stomach. I had been reading his work since my pre-teens and learned a great deal from him. I still get more pure enjoyment from reading his writing than any other.
I was surprised by Skeeter's passing because I was not aware he was ill. Some of you on this forum knew him personally. I was wondering what the illness was that took his life. He was not quite 60 and not an old man. I also cannot recall seeing a thorough biographical article on Skeeter's life. While he often wrote of his law enforcement experiences, I am sure there is much he modestly left out regarding his contributions to policing and shooting in general. It would make a very interesting feature if someone would write an article thoroughly covering his life and exploits, just as Skeeter often wrote about other famous shootists.
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Post by nobearsyet on Jul 9, 2009 13:43:25 GMT -5
John Taffin told me it was a combination of a lot of rough living (fights and such) and a bad wreck in his Blazer
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Post by twbryan on Jul 9, 2009 14:14:28 GMT -5
I understand he had a stroke.
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Post by taffin on Jul 9, 2009 18:35:44 GMT -5
I understand he had a stroke. NOPE |
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Post by taffin on Jul 9, 2009 18:40:11 GMT -5
If I had to pick a favorite gun writer, it would be a tough call; but the nod would go to Skeeter Skelton. I was in college the day I learned of his death and I can still remember the feeling of being punched in the stomach. I had been reading his work since my pre-teens and learned a great deal from him. I still get more pure enjoyment from reading his writing than any other. I was surprised by Skeeter's passing because I was not aware he was ill. Some of you on this forum knew him personally. I was wondering what the illness was that took his life. He was not quite 60 and not an old man. I also cannot recall seeing a thorough biographical article on Skeeter's life. While he often wrote of his law enforcement experiences, I am sure there is much he modestly left out regarding his contributions to policing and shooting in general. It would make a very interesting feature if someone would write an article thoroughly covering his life and exploits, just as Skeeter often wrote about other famous shootists. THE INFO IS OUT THERE IF YOU WANT TO DIG FOR IT. SOME EXAMPLES: MAGAZINES: GUNS OF THE THREE AMIGOS BY JIM WILSON SHOOTING TIMES MARCH 2001 SKEETER'S LAST SIXGUN BY JIM WILSON G&A HANDGUN ANNUAL 1997 SHOOTING TIMES MAY 1988 SHOOTING TIMES JUNE 1988 BOOKS: I REMEMBER SKEETER BY SALLY JO SKELTON HOGLEGS, HIPSHOTS, AND JALAPENOS BY SKEETER GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD GUNS, GOOD WHISKEY BY SKEETER GUN DIGEST BOOK OF THE .44 BY JOHN TAFFIN |
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Post by tranger on Jul 9, 2009 18:51:30 GMT -5
I have many of those references you listed. In fact, it appears the only one I don't have is Sally Skelton's book. I still feel a more thorough examination of his life could be done.
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Post by taffin on Jul 9, 2009 21:31:40 GMT -5
HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST ONE GO ABOUT IT? I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT TO BOTHER SALLY SKELTON AND IF SO INCLINED BART WOULD HAVE DONE IT ALREADY.
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c.r.
.30 Stingray
"I mainly just know about possums."
Posts: 392 
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Post by c.r. on Jul 9, 2009 23:33:23 GMT -5
HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST ONE GO ABOUT IT? I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT TO BOTHER SALLY SKELTON AND IF SO INCLINED BART WOULD HAVE DONE IT ALREADY. speaking of Bart Skelton.......as many of you may have read, Bart did a fine write up about Mr. Joe Bowman in the August Guns & Ammo. I found the last sentence of the article to be the most touching. just my 2 cents, c.r. |
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Madbo
.30 Stingray
Barranti Leather Co HS
Posts: 339
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Post by Madbo on Jul 10, 2009 9:13:00 GMT -5
WELCOME TO THE FORUM TRANGER! IF YOUR A FAN OF SKEETER SKELTON YOUR IN THE RIGHT PLACE. SKEETER IS A MUCH LOVED AND APPRECIATED HERO OF MINE. HERES A LINK THAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY: paperindustryweb.com/mypage/skeeter.htmTHIS IS MY "SKEETER GUN" BUILT BY EARL LONG OF MONTGOMERY, TEXAS. .357 MAGNUM OLD MODEL RUGER CONVERTED TO .44 SPECIAL. WELCOME ABOARD MB  |
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chaz
.30 Stingray
Posts: 150
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Post by chaz on Jul 10, 2009 10:06:56 GMT -5
Qoute "I REMEMBER SKEETER BY SALLY JO SKELTON
HOGLEGS, HIPSHOTS, AND JALAPENOS BY SKEETER
GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD GUNS, GOOD WHISKEY BY SKEETER
GUN DIGEST BOOK OF THE .44 BY JOHN TAFFIN"
I have all but "I Remember Skeeter" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by tranger on Jul 10, 2009 10:18:51 GMT -5
The only way I'd know to go about it is to interview the people who knew Skeeter well while they're still available. Many, unfortunately, are gone already. If it would be too painful for Mrs. Skelton to speak further about her husband, I certainly respect that and would not want to trouble her, either. As for Bart Skelton, I will write to him and ask if he would consider doing such a feature.
MB, Thanks for the greeting. Actually, I'm just coming back after a lengthy absence. I know many on this forum share a high regard for Skeeter Skelton, as well as many of the other old-line gunwriters. That's a nice copy of "Handgun Tales" by the way. Wish I had one.
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Post by Boge Quinn on Jul 10, 2009 10:46:59 GMT -5
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Madbo
.30 Stingray
Barranti Leather Co HS
Posts: 339
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Post by Madbo on Jul 10, 2009 14:51:15 GMT -5
NO EXCUSE NEEDED BOGE! ;D I ALWAYS ENJOY SEEING MY HERO AND HEAD OF THE "MURBACH CULT". GRAIL GUN PICS OF SS6 ARE ALWAYS ON THE TOP OF MY VIEWING LIST. SO FEEL FREE TO POST WHEN YOU WANT. YOUR A BLESSED MAN MR. QUINN  SU AMIGO MB
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Jul 10, 2009 16:03:56 GMT -5
I also built a Skeeter Skelton tribute gun. I had a 5" Smith & Wesson Model 27 rechambered to 44 Spl by Andy Horvath and put Bear Hug grips on it. Truly enjoy Skeeter's writings.
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Post by 461tim on Jul 10, 2009 19:18:11 GMT -5
Boge (or Terry) is that a steel or aluminum grip frame. A few of the pictures look aluminum, but a few others look steel. Great gun that I won't tire of ogling anytime soon.
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