Always had a healthy respect for the old S&W service revolvers. I've had the chance to try out a couple of them over the years, both belonging to aquaintances. Another pistol that, like the 1911 automatic, took me back in time when I squeezed the trigger.
Fun, and ridiculous, foot note on one of those revolvers for you-- The first one I tried out belonged to a guy I knew from school named Tom Aldridge. He'd gotten it from his father, but don't know any history beyond that. For whatever reason, Tom's father decided to turn a well preserved pistol into a worthless oddity by cutting about half the barrel off and bastardizing it into a half assed snubby. The sight was sitting atop a pool of frozen solder and the pistol itself was no longer a Smith & Wesson according to the side of the barrel, but rather a Smit.
If a pistol can be "bulletproof," the '99 is your girl. Inherited mine from my grandfather, who took it on trade for a bad coal bill in the 1920's, from a disgraced ex-policeman. Uncle and Dad were afraid to do anything with it; they were afraid it might have been used in a crime. I still think that crime would have been theft of city property. For tense action shooting, it's the best gun I have. That 30's movie cop move, where it looks like they're throwing the gun? On the M&P, it works.
"(By way of comparison, the Gem wire paper clip was first produced in 1890.)"
Saw a show once along the lines of "How Things are Made" that showed paper clip production. The factory they showed was still using the original, over 100 year old, equipment. Not an indication of companies refusing to "upgrade" -- just that some things were done so well the first time around that there is no need to upgrade.
For whatever reason, I went there first this morn. Good point.
ReplyDeleteYou disdained to make reference to Smith's current iteration of the "M&P," I notice.
[sniff]
Quite right. Best for all just to ignore it entirely.
Always had a healthy respect for the old S&W service revolvers. I've had the chance to try out a couple of them over the years, both belonging to aquaintances. Another pistol that, like the 1911 automatic, took me back in time when I squeezed the trigger.
ReplyDeleteFun, and ridiculous, foot note on one of those revolvers for you-- The first one I tried out belonged to a guy I knew from school named Tom Aldridge. He'd gotten it from his father, but don't know any history beyond that. For whatever reason, Tom's father decided to turn a well preserved pistol into a worthless oddity by cutting about half the barrel off and bastardizing it into a half assed snubby. The sight was sitting atop a pool of frozen solder and the pistol itself was no longer a Smith & Wesson according to the side of the barrel, but rather a Smit.
If a pistol can be "bulletproof," the '99 is your girl. Inherited mine from my grandfather, who took it on trade for a bad coal bill in the 1920's, from a disgraced ex-policeman. Uncle and Dad were afraid to do anything with it; they were afraid it might have been used in a crime. I still think that crime would have been theft of city property. For tense action shooting, it's the best gun I have. That 30's movie cop move, where it looks like they're throwing the gun? On the M&P, it works.
ReplyDelete"(By way of comparison, the Gem wire paper clip was first produced in 1890.)"
ReplyDeleteSaw a show once along the lines of "How Things are Made" that showed paper clip production. The factory they showed was still using the original, over 100 year old, equipment. Not an indication of companies refusing to "upgrade" -- just that some things were done so well the first time around that there is no need to upgrade.
But then I'm guessing that that was your point.