I first fired a firearm at the tender age of 9, and it was a love affair at first shot, and I obtained my first license in my late teens. My first firearms were a bolt-action Remington target rifle, a S &W K38 target revolver and a Sturm Ruger Mk I semi-automatic pistol, all in .22 caliber. Over the years, I've bought and sold a number of fine weapons, but I would class myself a shooter, as opposed to a collector. I tend to favour firing historical weapons, and my two prize possessions at this time, are a .44 caliber Colt 1860 Open Top Black Powder Revolver, and a 9mm 1918 DWM Luger.

Colt 1860 Army Revolver

This .44 caliber, 71/2" round barrel percussion revolver was born of technological advances in metallurgy and, to some degree, in response to a demand for hard hitting, powerful firearms that could somehow be more sleek and lightweight than the old Dragoons. It was no doubt the favorite sidearm used during the war between the States, because of the increased fire power of the big .44. The 1860 was issued to Federal Troops and purchased or otherwise acquired by Confederates. Because of its lighter weight, improved balance and superior ballistics, it was adopted by the U.S. Ordnance after the Civil War, and became very popular with the mounted troops. It was to be the issue sidearm for the U.S. Army for many years.

1918 DWM Luger

The Pistole Parabellum (Luger) was developed by Georg Luger beginning around 1896, and modeled after the Borchardt, it was originally chambered for 7.65mm. It was rechambered to 9mm in 1902 to meet military requirements, the primary market for this weapon. The Luger was adopted by the Swiss Army in 1900, followed by the German Navy in 1904 and the German Army in 1908. The Luger has been the standard sidearm for the military of more nations than any other weapon, and was seriously evaluated by the U. S. as its standard sidearm, but was later dropped in favour of the Browning designed M1911 Colt .45 semi-automatic. Production of the Luger spanned almost 50 years, with sporadic production continuing after WW II. The Luger saw service however, up until the fall of the Communist Block, as sidearms for the East German Police.

Because of my interest in Lugers, and partly because I'm a glutton for punishment, for two years I was the Webmaster for the Luger Forum, the premier internet site for Luger collectors and enthusiasts.

Here is a target from a recent trip to the range. Not too bad for an old guy... of course it helps to have a finely engineered pistol...