Sharps Mystery – Part 1

Now for something different. I want to have some fun with this article and imagine we saw this gun on a table and had to identify it ourselves. These guns crossed the continent over 150 years ago, and nobody really knew their story until a few years ago.

“The Wail of the Post” – A Rejoinder

The Springfield Republican, hometown paper to Springfield Armory, published an editorial criticizing the Evening Post’s missive. It’s titled “Arms for Infantry”. I find it makes a pretty compelling argument.

The Schofield Board’s Rifles

Under Major General Schofield’s board, there were 34 distinct rifles submitted for review. This list would serve as a fine collection today by any measure.

Small Arms for Infantry

Reprinted here is an editorial from The Evening Post on September 22, 1870, in which they criticize the government’s lack of progress on selecting a new breechloading design for the military. Enjoy!

How Much Do You Know About the Rifle Trials of 1870-1873?

The Government needed a new battle rifle — a standard design — and you were welcome to throw your hat in the ring. And not just you, but you, me, and our grandma in a tree: “all persons”, “from any quarter whatever”.

Book Blogging: Erskine S. Allin, Chapter 1

I brought the book with me on a family trip to Maui to read in the idle moments. The book raises a few eyebrows because it’s such an esoteric subject. For a gun nerd it’s also a great conversation starter.