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Post by mike454 on Mar 26, 2015 17:53:28 GMT -5
I believe they were close to him, and would therefore mean the most to me. It was that same thinking that led me to bid on his Champlin 338-378. It was a gun he had a hand in designing, shooting a cartridge he had a hand in designing. He used it quite a bit in his later years, including shooting his 50th bull elk in addition to mule deer and antelope. |
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Post by kings6 on Mar 26, 2015 18:14:01 GMT -5
Like anyone in our hobby, I would have loved to had the wherewithal to buy one of Elmer's actual guns but interestingly enough, a few weeks ago I was talking to a gentleman who had known Elmer and who currently owns a couple of Elmer's firearms and while he acknowledge the uniqueness of owning one of his actual guns, he said that many of them are pretty rough in comparison to what many of todays gunsmiths turn out. He said in his opinion, for an actual shooting gun, current iterations of Elmer's guns are much better made and finer built guns.
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Post by mike454 on Mar 26, 2015 18:41:18 GMT -5
I have a friend who was a good friend of Elmer's and who shot #5 and remained impressed with it in spite of owning a few best quality Bowens. He didn't say #5 was better, but thought it was well done. I'm sure there are a number of his guns that could be bettered today, but when you discuss prewar double rifles and five screw smiths, well those are simply the best of the breed. Certainly you're correct that for a shooter the modern guns will hold up better and be built to tighter tolerances.
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
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Post by Fowler on Mar 26, 2015 19:00:46 GMT -5
It's simply not fair to compare Elmer's guns to what a modern gunsmith can produce with today's steels and today's equipment. Elmer's #5 was made in 1929 and what was done to it with the technologies of the day is remarkable plus lets remember a lot of today's guns only exsist because many guns like Elmer's were even attempted to be made.
Elmer's guns were simply historical pieces ahead of their time, each marvelous in their own way.
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jdoc
.327 Meteor
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Post by jdoc on Mar 26, 2015 20:17:14 GMT -5
Robb's info is spot on. I for one would much rather have the customs and/or mass produced firearms of today. I personally would have liked to have seen Elmer's favorites in the NRA museum; however, one has to be practical about the monetary value. To the buyers and heirs I wish the best.
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Post by contender on Mar 26, 2015 21:03:54 GMT -5
Bowen475, I congratulate you sir! You have a fine pair of handguns, linked to history, and most importantly, you appreciate them for what they are & who owned them. I'd like to echo the many kind words above as well.
Maybe one day we'll be able to cross paths & I can see them again.
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Post by Doc Barranti on Mar 27, 2015 7:03:48 GMT -5
Hell yes I am going to shoot all of them--and I have carried the 4" pre 29 in its holster since back. [/i][/quote] Great to hear and put a huge smile on my face! Like many, I was pretty depressed about the collection being split up, and wondered if we would ever see the guns again. Thanks for making my day, and congratulations! |
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Post by renton10x on Mar 27, 2015 11:46:43 GMT -5
I am so happy I had the opportunity to see Elmer's guns on display in the Cabelas store in Boise, ID last year. I spent about an hour looking at and photographing them. I will miss them very much.
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fatcpa
.240 Incinerator
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Post by fatcpa on Mar 27, 2015 14:38:43 GMT -5
I find it flat out amazing how one unpretentious little man can have such an influence on generations of hobbyist, outdoorsmen, and a whole industry. My list of people worth sitting down with and picking their brain is fairly short, but Mr. Keith would be right up there.
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Post by renton10x on Mar 28, 2015 10:50:19 GMT -5
I find it flat out amazing how one unpretentious little man can have such an influence on generations of hobbyist, outdoorsmen, and a whole industry. My list of people worth sitting down with and picking their brain is fairly short, but Mr. Keith would be right up there. Elmer saw things very clearly. He saw the sixgun as a tool and approached things from a problem solving aspect. He liked sixguns because they were very durable and were powerful enough to do the things he wanted to do. He wanted guns that could stand up to the beating of everyday ranch and hunting life and be used to hunt medium sized game if necessary and to dispatch wounded cattle. He was not a target shooter or a "tactical" shooter, but a rancher and hunter. He spoke directly to the average (and above average) shooter interested in everyday shooting. |
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Post by 2 Dogs on Mar 28, 2015 10:53:18 GMT -5
Extremely well stated Sir!!
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
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Post by cmh on Mar 28, 2015 12:58:37 GMT -5
There was nothing little about Elmer..... It took a big man to wear that large hat and wear that large belt buckle..... Elmer Keith was bigger than life. He lived.... I mean REALLY lived!!! And you can tell just what kind of man he was by the folks that hold onto everything he wrote and did...... Their respect and admiration for him (as well as mine) is huge. Look at just how many folks were affected that his collection was being broken up? You could call him the Father of the big bore revolver as I like to think he started it all with the 44 magnum. Unpretentious yeah.... Little.... Nah!!! Sir, Elmer Keith was the biggest man I know of  |
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Post by coldcase1984 on Mar 28, 2015 21:19:21 GMT -5
We all shoot Elmer's guns every time we go to the range with a SBH, M-29, M-57, et al. I'm a better gunman, cop, Hunter and shooter from having read his works and followed the lessons learnt therein.
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Post by ddixie884 on Jun 6, 2015 18:35:15 GMT -5
Congrats to all who got Elmer's guns and I hope you shoot and enjoy them for many years to come.
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