I find it humerous that I choose a pistol for long range shooting (100yds plus), and a rifle for close in work. Lately I have been drawn tward my other firearm addiction... Muzzle Loaders. There are 2 camps of muzzleloaders, First is Traditional, and secondis In-Line. I'm in the first camp of muzzleaders, Traditional style. I find the lines and history very apealing, In-lines to me seem lifeless and dull. I don't begrudge those that like or use in-lines, but I will not.
With traditional styles you can trace the style to a period in history where that was used for everyday life. I have settled on the early trapper era, 1830's to mid 1840's. The era of Moutain men, Hawken rifles, and trapping. Raundavue(sp) is an event dedicated to this lifestyle and time period.
I'm very interested in the Hawken rifle because of it's rugged yet simple design. The quality and power where unmatched at this time. While many gun makers where active for the fur trade, the Hawken rifle was known for its quality.
While I love my specialty pistols and can't give them up, I'm equilly attached to Hawkens. Unlike my pistols Muzzleloading brings back a feeling of how our for-fathers lived and hunted. Their rifles where a part of them individually, and they belived than no man should be denied this right to possess. I feel it ever time I watch "Last of the Mohicans" (97). As time passed we see the change in the way we live, the firearms changed with us. With Mass production we lost alot of the spirit of the weapon. As that spirit was lost, so to was the memory and feelings attached to them. When I look at an older firearm (any era) I wonder what it must have been involved in, who cared for it while they where it's caretaker. A new gun has no "soul" till you give it one and hand it down to the next care taker. With items over 150 years old, the feeling changes, you are no longer it's owner but it's caretaker for a time. When you pass it on the next person becomes it's caretaker. And you would not have it any other way.
Even though I only have replica's of older style arms at the moment I feel that connection. That life that was lived long ago.
I'll get off my soapbox now as I think the wine has caused a long enough spew of words. We all have chosen our "truck" in life and we are all better off for it. We all need to hand this interest, desire, drive, and feeling to the next generation of care takers. So none of it get forgotten.
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As this may not be in the light of this forum, please feel free to place it where it will fit. (just let me know where that would be)
With traditional styles you can trace the style to a period in history where that was used for everyday life. I have settled on the early trapper era, 1830's to mid 1840's. The era of Moutain men, Hawken rifles, and trapping. Raundavue(sp) is an event dedicated to this lifestyle and time period.
I'm very interested in the Hawken rifle because of it's rugged yet simple design. The quality and power where unmatched at this time. While many gun makers where active for the fur trade, the Hawken rifle was known for its quality.
While I love my specialty pistols and can't give them up, I'm equilly attached to Hawkens. Unlike my pistols Muzzleloading brings back a feeling of how our for-fathers lived and hunted. Their rifles where a part of them individually, and they belived than no man should be denied this right to possess. I feel it ever time I watch "Last of the Mohicans" (97). As time passed we see the change in the way we live, the firearms changed with us. With Mass production we lost alot of the spirit of the weapon. As that spirit was lost, so to was the memory and feelings attached to them. When I look at an older firearm (any era) I wonder what it must have been involved in, who cared for it while they where it's caretaker. A new gun has no "soul" till you give it one and hand it down to the next care taker. With items over 150 years old, the feeling changes, you are no longer it's owner but it's caretaker for a time. When you pass it on the next person becomes it's caretaker. And you would not have it any other way.
Even though I only have replica's of older style arms at the moment I feel that connection. That life that was lived long ago.
I'll get off my soapbox now as I think the wine has caused a long enough spew of words. We all have chosen our "truck" in life and we are all better off for it. We all need to hand this interest, desire, drive, and feeling to the next generation of care takers. So none of it get forgotten.
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As this may not be in the light of this forum, please feel free to place it where it will fit. (just let me know where that would be)
Loved the matchlock shot at that enigine!
