Wow, great stories!
David gave me my set I was his NZ Agent if you find one look up vol two' Patterns' and the' Lawrences pattern 'story.
Thankyou Cyten .I knew you would relate to my tales your my kind of wanderer . my Greek? Migulet lock 3' spring length cracked its on a Shinoni I made 30 years ago I never finished it as Its the decorating that takes the time .Tobjohn is sending you your wood I sent it with his earlier box parceled & Addressed These locks seen almost identical I had welded the crack but its now weaker though I was able to take it apart & put it together . the M springs even the fine engraving are so close (I have two others are I think Persian . I will send you the number & sizes of the Rosettes ? don't need many for my original Turkish Target Rifle (Has a steel B plate with a Square hole in it ??? Some sort of clamp test jig ? its sights go up to what must be 300 yards or so. Very unusual I I did once have a most curious Rifle Damascus Brl but round tail flat flint lock with a provision to fire by flint OR Matchlock ??? to save Flints ?? rounded stock form with long range sight much like a P 51 or Enfield ladder & it had a stout lower jaw that suggested it might be altered to percussion ..Ime Thinking Persian going on the stock form never seen another but being a Donkey brain I sold it while still a teen ager . I do have an old photo small but my daughter might be able to blow it up cal was about 577 so thinking date wise 1850s+ = ? I do seem to gone on about travels. I didn't do what anyone else could do had they a mind too. The first step is the hard one I found , But in effect I became "my own National Geographic "as one PCV put it . Now at 79 Ime about stuffed .. All good No especial regrets but would like to have visited Timbuktu I got so close But I've been round the World & like you done more miles than Marco Polo .Could have ever have envisaged .
Robet Ruark ' Use enough Gun fame ?'
Dear Eric Thank you for your kind appreciation There's a lot I left out The odd 1911 in my face on Casablanka docks or the Marshals riot gun one time in Whitefish Montana as I rode a Burlington Northern from Spokane to get to the NLMRA Western up on the Flathead . or the Bulls revolver in Selkirk yards with a gentleman working for Con rail .But this is sort of normal if your in such places and the last two where nothing like the" Freeze succer!" of films they where more" Excuse me do you have any ID .Or what are you doing ? .The Casablanca Bulls where just doing what they do .Me & an American lad where looking for a boxcar to kip in since the Youth hostel cost 2 Dirums and persons of our sort cant be spending so rashly (I lived in Morrocco two months on an expenditure of 10 pounds & a pound of that was for a nice Berber powder horn which I still have .).The 1911 one just came out of the dark & shouts "Arrete!" French for Stop ! I then explained our purpose in my Spanish & French mix they collared my mate but they then show us a dray ( Semi trailer deck)to kip under but we thought it a bit exposed so ended up in a Derelict building nr the Gare du Nord . Thusly saved us the 2 Dirums about 50 c US at the time .. When nothings coming in then you needs curb what goes out .
Yessir, indeed! Some of your stories put me in mind of his style. A real treat to hear / read of all the travels and escapades you share. Thanks so much for your contributions here - you are much appreciated!
I am told there Camel Scrotums But unsure I've got one got it of a strange fellow off the R vous circuits Called 'Peddler' he had a few of them .Well He was no stranger than many who did the R vous .' Swope' the Bead merchant was Booshway at one Eastern & he by boringly conventional standard's was Higher than the Ifill Tower or so youde assess . Throw in' Marino' the Leather seller Miles away from the KIA Campground mind set Well light years probably .Takes all sort to make a world .Take that Rudyard weirdo. Teeesh! now were getting into the hobo heimia. But no one is entirely useless They can always serve as A bad example .
Dear Billy Ive allways kept travel diaries got 23 of them some very 'dog eared ' affairs, Its gratifying to hear you like my stories .One chap Fleener dosn,t he reckoned it was a third person style & my views on Black bears me saying there ' Furrey poeple ' But my own findings after a few encounters & a lot of wilderness wanderings Took the veiw that while not actually people. But not the villain's they are oft painted . a view based on MY own expeirinces .I didnt drive, still don't .So hitched & availed of suitable good's trains. Hitch hikeing in my view is a service we offer to the travelling puplic oft as not they stop to have company to talk too or listen its my duty to fill the miles with agreeable conversaion If they can only talk about Football Base ball ect Ime stumpted but if they are interested in history .travel exotic lands , current affairs , phyosophy where away and I've often had such rides you could'nt better if youde tee' d up a row of taxis or we stopped talking long after his turn just so we could continue our conversations . He who sits like pudding is not playing his part . Rail ways are different but ime not heavy and allway's had the greatest respect for the company even if the office might not see it that way . .ANY brain dead Bo can hop freight but its exhilarating and very handy . One winter the roads through the Cascades where all blocked but I knew B N went through the tunnels from Skykomish to Whenachie My friend lived near Monitor Wash as it slowed to the yards I hopped off walked through the snow to the Mac Dougles rang him and thusly saved a long detour via Portland & the Tri city's . Same for the Spokane though the tunnels B N High line to Whitefish the tunnels black as black ,except for the lights at miles. Once did a event at Fort Oswego (Stanwix ?) or the one by the Lake but availed.of a grain car still togged up primitive till well into New York above 287 South ?
Well, your stories, philosophy, and unique style ought to be collated and published for future posterity. I daresay they are absolutely one-of-a-kind; a real trove of useful information and historical insights!
With @Rudyard ’s permission, I can message you a copy of his memoirs from traveling around Africa
Dear Tobjohn Ile send you an update of the Draft. I trust your goodies are with you but of course its easter holidays. Ime very pleased my ramblings (Full of misplaced words ) But still amusing .are liked gives me more incentive to complete the book .FAN Mail !!! Got to love it !
The final parcel is still hanging out at the post office. I’ll have to figure out why.
Cant send draft till school opens Tuesday Post office on holiday ? cant see why otherwise but cant be much just office bumph Its nice the writing is so well received .mix of Kipling & Earnest Hemmingway !LOL?.
