Gun Writers of Yesteryear

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  • Last Post 18 October 2020
RicinYakima posted this 11 October 2020

 

Gun Writers of Yesteryear

 

 by James Foral

 

This gem is a collection of 81 letters written by “gun cranks” to various magazines from 1903 to 1920. It covers the beginning of hunting with the “small-bore” smokeless rifle, their failures, and successes, and the return of some writers back to the “big bore” rifles, but with smokeless powder. Most of the folks are just ordinary hunters, ranchers and working folks, as there were only a couple of writers during this period that could make a living writing.

 

You not only get the famous writers like Townsend Whelen, Edward Crossman, Charles Newton and C. S. Landis, but unknown today but famous in their time like Allyn H. Tedmon, Charles Cottar and Horace Kephart.

 

Lots of interesting letters: hunting lions in East Africa with a Winchester 1894 in 32 Special and liking it better than the 405 Winchester, several articles on the .250-3000 Savage and 22 Hi-Power (Imp) along with wildcats and military rifle shooting. How about shooting coyotes and bobcats from a model T Ford in Colorado? And the constant back and forth of lever vs. bolt rifles.

 

Published by Wolfe Publishing in 1993, it is commonly available for less than $20 on the used book marketplace. This only edition is hardback and very well made and will last for many reads.

 

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Little Debbie posted this 12 October 2020

I’ve read Tedmon and Kephart. Great story tellers. Will have to look for the book. Thanks for the tip.

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JeffinNZ posted this 12 October 2020

I was recently given the Handloader magazine from the first edition in 1966 through to 1979.  I rather enjoy Harvey Donaldson's column in the early magazines. 

Cheers from New Zealand

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beagle6 posted this 13 October 2020

Harvey Donaldson's work is available in a book " Yours Truly Harvey Donaldson" available on Amazon in new and used editions. Good reading

beagle6

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RicinYakima posted this 13 October 2020

Old Harvey was quite a character. Even at 85 he was the oldest, youngest, fastest and originator of everything. He even gave Charles Newton the idea for the 22 Hi-Power and the 250-3000 Savage. Of course you can do that when you out live them all by 30 years!

But with that said, he was a great machinist and tool maker. I've been able to handle some of the reloading tools he made, and they are of excellent finish and precision. And he was a tireless worker in developing the Eastern shooters in Benchrest in the 1930's writing countless letters and organizing matches.

Been a few years since I read that, maybe I'll dig out my copy this winter.

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ray h posted this 13 October 2020

I believe he claimed he was the oldest Corvette owner too.  I enjoyed reading his writing.

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mashburn posted this 15 October 2020

Hello Ricin,

You rascal you, You got me all fired up talking about Harvey Donaldson and his book that could be purchased for around 20 bucks. My problem is, I can't find any 20 dollars books. Now that you have "flung a craving on me" it's gonna cost me some of my rat hole gun money. I have a .219 Donaldson Wasp that I built years ago. The .219 reamer, that I used, was in a bunch of reamers that belonged to old man Mashburn of Mashburn Arms, that eventually found their way into my shop. The main reason that I built the .219 was that the reamers had come from  Mashburn himself.

Thanks for bringing this information up. I enjoy that sort of history. I must be getting old.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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RicinYakima posted this 15 October 2020

You must be looking in a different place, as I found new paperback copies for about $7 on Amazon. " Yours Truly Harvey Donaldson"

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David Reiss posted this 15 October 2020

I just purchased yesterday, a new still in the plastic hard copy on eBay for $15.00. Paper back issues are much less. 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .

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4and1 posted this 15 October 2020

I have an old reloading book by Phil Sharpe that was my Dad's. Dated material but lots of great info. I've read Elmer Keith's "Hell I Was There" several times. Never gets old. I really liked Bob Milek's writings about shooting the XPs. He convinced me to buy my first one, I wasn't disappointed. I have some old American Rifleman magazines from the 60's maybe? Those were actually informative and had great articles about rifles, and working on them. Nothing like the rags of today.

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mashburn posted this 16 October 2020

I'll have to pull up Amazon again and check for paper backs. I just typed in the book name and all that came up were hard back books.

Thanks 

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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mashburn posted this 16 October 2020

I can not get any paper back copies of "Yours Truly Harvey Donaldson" to come up on either; Amazon or E-bay. If any of you people can find one, would you please send me the auction number?

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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David Reiss posted this 16 October 2020

Mashburn,

 

There are several hard copies of Gun Writers of Yesteryear  on Amazon for under $20, most say like new. 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .

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alamogunr posted this 17 October 2020

Amazon is not the only place to find books.  Try Abebooks, Bookfinder, Alibris.  I mostly use Abebooks.

You will find books listed on Bookfinder from Abebooks, Alibris, Amazon and probably others. 

The Donaldson book is available at all 3.  Just not cheap.  I found several copies between $40 & $50.

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David Reiss posted this 17 October 2020

That is the issues with those sources, they are always asking top dollar. If you are patient, then Amazon or eBay are better choices for a better buy. 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 17 October 2020

...hah, just in case $60 seems high for a Harvey ... , you can buy a new copy from Amazon for $800 ..and some change ...

besides, when that 10 Trillion of virus imaginary wealth certificates hits the reality gong, any real property will take a sharp jump ...

ken

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mashburn posted this 18 October 2020

Hello 4and1,

That old Sharp Reloading Book is very interesting. Not only for reloading but some still very useful gunsmithing information, For example: the Mann Neidner  O3 chamber and bolt face conversion. I had one for years and gave it to a friend of mine, if I had it to do over again, I would have kept it. I'm sure all of my other highly prized gun books in the shelves miss it probably as much as I do.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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mashburn posted this 18 October 2020

Hello Ken,

I wonder how long that 800.00 dollar Harvey book will set there. I also agree with the rest of your statement.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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RicinYakima posted this 18 October 2020

Always looking for a sucker! Retail was $49.95 and there were some available last few days.

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