Area-51, The U.S. Air Force and the battle with the Sheahan family whose ancestors homesteaded their property over 130 years ago. Not For Sale: 400 Acres overlooking a secret test facility (see below) |
|
For over 12 years our newsletter has gone to more than 20,000 Firearms Collectors, Enthusiasts, Historians and Professionals Worldwide. We now reprint over 6000 Vintage Gun Catalogs, Books and Manuals from the 1840s to the 2000s
See all the New Additions (scroll down) this month!!
|
|
Back issues: you can view the newsletter on our website. For a downloadable copy of our catalog of reprints or manuals this will take you there. Also, we have Interesting downloads at our website. Please forward this letter to your friends.
Most Internet Browsers – Firefox, Edge, Opera etc – have decided to truncate, or cut off, the bottoms of long emails. There is a tiny note at the bottom allowing you to retrieve the rest of the email. Rob and Abby
___________________________________
Dreamland, The Box, Watertown Strip, Groom Lake, Paradise Ranch or most famously, Area 51. Whatever you want to call it, it’s a place bordered by a nuclear testing and bombing range, very much in the middle of nowhere, and deeply shrouded in mystery. Not even military pilots flying exercises in the area are allowed to cross over, or even to venture near it. It is quite literally the place where the government goes to hide.
 The Sheahan family has long existed just six miles from this shadowy base, at a mine nestled on a mountainside overlooking a desolate, long-dry lake bed. Their ancestors originally settled on the site more than a century ago.
Long before Lockheed and the CIA showed up in the 1950s to build a secret flight test base at what is now Area 51, there was Groom Mine. Founded by Patrick Sheahan in 1889, the site included 400 acres and a handful of mining claims.
The Sheahan family worked the mine for decades, extracting silver, lead, zinc and copper. Eventually a second generation, Dan and Martha Sheahan, also called the mine home from the early part of of the 20th Century on, with their secluded operation churning away successfully.
Then the U.S. government came...
thanks to Jalopnik.com
Check out this website, they make for some easy reading and their suggestions and reviews are useful, besides, their Jim Peterson was been bugging us for a plug!
_______________________________________
lagniappe /ˌlanˈyap/
Lagniappe used to be a common word now fallen into disuse but it does have an interesting spelling and origin. Despite its Italian look, lagniappe is actually a modified form of a Louisiana French creole term that derives from the New-World Spanish la ñapa, a gift, which in turn has its origin in a Quechua word yapa for a gift or tip. The Quechua are a South American people from Peru and parts of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.
There will be a short quiz on the participants in this video during the next period!
__________________________________________
Your DUCK IS DEAD
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet..
"How can you be so sure?" she protested.. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$1,500!" she cried,"$1,500 just to tell me my duck is dead!"
The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $1,500."
___________________________________
In life it’s important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong
___________________________________
|
|
The Bowl of M&Ms
Dave Mathews, the singer, gave one of those free internet concerts the other day and afterward he offered and analogy that stuck with us, particularly when we hear about those people who ignore the social distancing and other cautions that may save us all from THE END.
He said to imagine you are at a party and the host offers you a bowl of 100 M&Ms. He cautions you, though, that while most of them are delicious you should know that sixteen M&Ms in the bowl can make you really sick and three or four will kill you... so, how many would you like?
The point is, of course, to follow the "gumment" instructions and wear a mask, eye protection and even gloves when with people away from home. Why? Well, remember the slogan from the fifties about driving safely "The Life You Save May Be Your Own"?
Not everyone follows the recommended social distancing guidelines so I wrote to my senators and representative to suggest they try to get the powers that be to start using the slogan to wake up the people who flaunt the rules. Below is my letter, if you like the idea, please feel free to use it to send you your congressional people.
Dear Representative/Senator XXX
There was a highway safety slogan we used during the 1950s that is apropos today: “The life you save may be your own”. I suggest using it today because all the discussion about the dangers of the virus circles around older people and generally “others”. The people who are not socially distancing today obviously need to have the scare brought closer to home, to themselves, to let the message sink in and become effective.
I hope if you approve of the message you can use your national profile to share it with others to “get the message out there”, I think it would help.
Best wishes,
XXXX
The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Flannery O'Connor, 1955
|
|
I ordered my book three weeks ago and I still don't have it, whats the matter with you people?
Dear Anthony, Actually you ordered the book on March 30th and it was shipped on the first. Today is the 6th so barring postal problems it should be there soon. Best, Abby
Well it isn't here what do we do now?
Anthony, today is the 7th, please just be patient. Below is the tracking information for the package. Abby
I'm loosing patients with you people it must be lost, send me another.
Anthony, today is the 8th and I know this is a longer wait than usual for the shipment but please be sympathetic with the post office. Many of their people are out sick and a lot of shipments are slow. Abby
Its not the mail you are using some slow method I got an Amazon package this morning I ordered two days ago send another.
Anthony, OK, I'll put you in for another shipment with our next printing. Abby
I got it today the mailman said prority mail is slow, try sending express next time.
Anthony, I'll cancel the printing. Express mail for your book would have cost $22-34.
|
|
************************************************
We’ve had a ton of impatient emails saying things such as “where is my item… It’s been 8 days how come… when can I expect to receive… are you people there… it must be missing in the mail... can you send another, etc.?” The answer is, da-da dum, the covid 19 virus has slowed the mail due to personnel shortages. Wow, no kidding, who da thunk it? -ed
************************************************
Dear Rob and Abby, I read the newsletters with great enjoyment when they arrive. There's always something interesting in there. Sadly, I also cast an eye over the grumbles and whines from, people complaining about getting access to the unobtainable and unknowable from your treasure trove of information.
You provide an amazing service and I have referred many of my fellow shooters and collectors to your site for information.
 Myself I think it is sad, that you still have to put up with the "numpties" of the world. For one of your future newsletters you might want to feature "Numpty": A lovely old Gaelic word that seems to sum up so many of the complainers. I deal with them every day here in Australia: On the range, or at work. Fortunately, I can keep smiling, as they rarely do any great harm (to me). I am sure there must exist somewhere a caricature of a Numpty. I can certainly see images of them around me.
Thanks again for your wonderful service and I hope it will continue to bring you pleasure. (Despite the numpties.) Ross
************************************************
Per my cut and paste of an emailed receipt from pay pal the total is incorrect and looks to have been doubled in error, can you assist me with correction or refund? Mike Hill
Hi Mike, your order was just picked up by the USPS - when you get it let me know and we will see what we can do for you... Priority envelope so you should get it soon.... We will help. Abby
Thanks for your very quick response. What does that mean, you will help? Does that mean you will send a refund of $39.90 back to my credit card or ??? Why can't we get this in motion now, why do we need to wait until I receive the package? I am not being short, just trying to be logical and get the money straightened out as quickly as possible. Respectfully Mike Hill
Dear Mr. Hill, I just saw your note. After we looked a bit closer at this it seems you bought two packages of 2 items or four books. We only sent you two books so, of course, you should get the $39.90 back as well as some shipping so Abby returned $45 to you. Now, I assume you wanted the two books, but if you made a mistake there and want to return one Abby will then refund some more money. How's that? Cheers, Rob
************************************************
Hello, I am looking for any reprint catalogs or brochures you might have on the Wm Malcom Rifle Scope Manufacturing Company of Syracuse New York. They were in business from 1855- 1940? I know there was at least one catalog produced in 1905 and I am sure there were more. Thank you for your help. Leon
Hello Leon, Try these please: MALCOLM TELESCOPES - ALL CATALOGS Best, Rob
************************************************
I am in need of looking for a manual or schematics for a marlin .44 20G shotgun serial number 1972 Brianne Robinson
Hi Brianne, The gun was made from 1922 to 1933 but I am sorry, I don't have a manual for that weapon. If you google "marlin 44 20ga shotgun manual" there are a couple of videos that may help you. Cheers, Rob
************************************************
Hello, I ordered gunsmiths and allied tradesmen of western Pennsylvania and gunsmiths of the Carolinas and just realized I received eastern Pennsylvania. Guy John
Hello Guy, I am sorry, they are right next to one another and I pressed the wrong button. I'll print you one today, it should go out no later than Monday. Cheers, Rob
************************************************
Hello, I wanted to ask if you had any reloading information about the 7.63 mm Mannlicher (Austrian designation) or 7.65 mm Mannlicher (German designation) or 7.65 x 21 (US designation) cartridge? I am really having trouble locating loading information for this pistol. Can you help? I look forward to your response. Regards, Matt (ebay- matmitchel_872)
Hi Matt, We are experiencing a ton of orders so I don't really have time to search for what you need. That said, we probably have info. Try looking at our website and then tell me where to look (look for the reloading link on the left side dropdown)- maybe Ideal for the appropriate year? Rob (readers, can you help?
************************************************
Abby, I was going to purchase the PDF version of the manual for the Winchester Model 42 tonight, but when I went to complete the transaction, the $8.95 price was augmented with a $3.55 “Domestic Shipping” charge. Seeing this I immediately stopped the transaction, since I’m buying a digital item, and can’t understand why a “domestic shipping” charge would apply. Perhaps you can shed some light on what is going on? Best, Ken
Ken, PDFs are an experiment. The shop cart cannot be configured to not charge shipping. I refund it after purchase. Abby
************************************************
Re: Richland Arms (Blissfield, MI) 1974 Gun Catalog. Does this booklet have the, Michigan Rifle Kit Percussion, 50-Cal, N. 010902? (ebay- rtannert1)
rtann... No, I'm sorry, all the rifle kits were listed as .45 cal, two, the Yorkshire and the Michigan Carbine were percussion. The N.010902, was that a serial number? If so we wouldn't find that in a sales catalog. Rob
************************************************
Abby: This is my second request to see if you have a manual for a Smith & Wesson 745. I cannot locate anything on your site. Thanks, Pat
Sorry Pat, I thought I answered your first request, my apologies, we are inundated with requests for information and there are only two of us. Basically, if it isn't on the website we haven't done it yet. I hope that doesn’t sound curt, I don't mean it to be, I'm just rushed. Cheers, Rob
************************************************
Abby, I've ordered from you before and are extremely happy. I have a old Iver Johnson .38. I'm looking for the parts book that has it in it. The handle has a US on it instead of the owl. maybe thought you could help me. Thanks Again, Chris
Hi Chris, Not off the top of my head. I suppose it could be a pistol made for a reseller. Perhaps Joe Vorisek's book has a clue for you, do you have one? That said, IJ really only made one revolver design and it is the same in all the parts books from 1926-1949, the '49 having most variants separately listed with the one drawing. If you think the revolver is later I would add the schematics pages for $2... Cheers, Rob IVER JOHNSON GUNS - ALL CATALOGS (Boston, MA)
************************************************
Hi Abby and Rob, Thanks to your pubs & catalogs I’ve tracked down the Mnf’g period of my old, goldie Ranger .410! The spirit and work of Vorisek are thriving—thanks to your work….. And thanks from me for spotting the typo (“13 copies”) on my order form -- then having the courtesy to phone me about it. -Dan Forsyth
************************************************
Hi, Rob: Just when you probably thought you were safe, I’ve another conundrum for you.
A few years back, I bought a Springfield Model 1871 rifle in quite good condition. You probably know it as having been made at Springfield Armory under license from Remington Arms, and featuring a rolling block “locking action.” The Armory produced about 10,000 of these in 1871-1872. Considering the fact that these aren’t terribly rare on the antique arms market, I’ve been rather surprised at how little credible information I can find about this rifle, as in to what units it may have been issued, what usage it actually saw, etc. There is, by the way, a lot of less-than-credible information out there about it. For example, I’ve had a couple of self-styled antique arms experts tell me “Those were issued to the National Guard,” it being strongly implied that I’m a dope for not knowing that. Such “experts” walk off in total exasperation with my ignorance when I ask such quibbling questions as “What state?” or “When, and for how long?” That may actually be true, but I can’t find any evidence of such issue. (The New York National Guard used a somewhat similar rifle from circa 1873 to 1890, but these were acquired on contract from Remington Arms proper, so marked, and are easily recognizable as different from the Model 1871.) Others have insisted that the Model 1871 rifles were issued to regular Army units as trial weapons, quickly found wanting, and turned in for replacement by standard “Trapdoor” Springfield rifles. I can’t find any evidence of that, either. Ten thousand rifles is far too great an initial production quantity for something intended as a trial weapon. The service histories of the somewhat similar-appearing Model 1870 Army and Model 1870 Navy rifles are quite well known. I can’t, however, find any evidence of the Model 1871 rifles issue to any regular Army unit. I’m not categorically stating that such issue didn’t happen—to regular Army or National Guard units—I’m only stating that I can’t find any references to that occurring.
Were they surreptitiously sent to the French as military assistance in their reconstitution of their army after the disaster of the Franco-Prussian War? It’s no secret that the US government did that on a pretty large scale—surreptitiously--but I don’t think the Model 1871 rifles were a part of it. By the time the latter were available, the worst part of the French armaments crisis was over. Again, it is possible, but I very much doubt it.
Were the Model 1871 rifles produced, immediately written off as a bad idea, placed into deep storage (probably at the order of the ordnance officer who ordered their production) and then later all discretely sold as surplus? As in “hiding the evidence” in the interest of saving the aforementioned officer’s career? Of course, that’s a ridiculous idea, as such could never have happened in the blameless US Army of old, in that golden age when all our forebears were virtuous.
Seriously, do you know of any information on this rifle that I’ve overlooked, especially anything else that might be contained in anything you reprint? I have noticed that your summation of your reprint of the manual for the US Navy Model 1870 Remington rifle indicates that it contains at least a reference or an illustration of the “National Armory Model 1871 Rifle.” I’ll probably include that manual in my next order, but may I ask the extent of that reference?
For what it’s worth, I’ve fired my Model 1871 rifle on the range several times. While I don’t care for it as much as I do the ordinary Remington “Rolling Block” .50/70 rifles I own, it seems to be a good and reliable rifle. Perhaps the oddity of its “locking action” subconsciously puts me off for no logical reason.
I do thank you if you’ve stayed with my rambling this far, and I would be very interested in any suggestions or observations you might have concerning this rifle. My best to Abby and you— Don
Hi Don, I'll attach a copy of the manual you mentioned, Abby noted it was published by the Springfield Armory in 1871. Now, regarding your search, I bet somewhere in the mass of authored books we reprint there is something to answer or, at least, help answer some of the questions. My problem is that we are swamped with work, particularly now everyone is home playing with their computers! So, if you want to muddle around in the author category perhaps selecting a couple of titles, I will do my best to have a gander for the missing rifles. Cheers, Rob
|
|
Cheers,
Rob and Abby
The End.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
