Key Events of World War I for Gunsmiths This year, every day of every week will fall on the same date as it did in 1914- the year the Great War began. So, you’ve likely seen more than a few World War I retrospectives out there already this year. But this one little different. This…
3 Battles That Changed the Course of World War I World War I was the largest and most devastating war to ever be fought by humanity. It encapsulated the entire world and was mainly fought in mainland Europe and North Africa. During the four years it took place, 1914-1918, over 100 million soldiers and sailors died or were injured. Today, we are discussing three main battles of significance during this…
Bolt-Action to Machine Guns: Firearms of World War I The major players all entered World War I expecting a quick, mobile conflict in the tradition of the Franco-Prussian conflict. Small arms with which they began the war were still dominant four years later, despite a handful of innovations implemented during the fighting. While artillery accounted for 60%…
Inside Trench Warfare: Why Trench Guns Changed Combat This month, I want to talk about modern tactical shotguns and where they got their start. It all started with the Winchester Model 1897. The Model 1897 was designed by John Browning and over a million were produced from 1897-1957. The military saw the advantage of using…
The Symbolism behind RED Friday On Fridays, many Americans choose to wear something red—a shirt, a hat, a ribbon, or a scarf. This quiet tradition, known as RED Friday, carries a deep and heartfelt purpose. The letters R.E.D. stand for Remember Everyone Deployed. It’s a low-key but powerful reminder that, while peaceful life continues at home, thousands of American…
Going Vintage: The Traditions Muzzleloader Mastering a firearm like the Kentucky long rifle may sound like a pastime that’s only for history buffs. To the uninitiated, its temperamental flintlock ignition and the time consuming need for muzzleloading can sometimes sound more like a burden than a benefit. But muzzleloaders offer some unique benefits to hunters, and a welcome challenge to target…
The Haunted Winchester House Lore The Winchester house is a place that needs no introduction. Its unusual design and folklore surrounding it have captured the public’s attention for over 100 years, and the world-famous Winchester rifle is at the heart of this story. Winchester Company Fame The Winchester company became famous by being one…
Legendary Trick Shooters After the Wild West Trick shooting is where exhibition shooting meets showmanship—whether that means using unorthodox targets, performing outrageous feats, or just exuding a stage persona that would normally be reserved for a performer rather than a firearms instructor. It’s a profession that has mostly disappeared with the Old West, but the…
The Firearms of Modern Hollywood Over the last two decades, there has been a rising trend in modern Hollywood blockbusters; action films are bigger than ever. With the ever-growing popularity of franchises such as the Marvel franchise, the DC Comics franchise, the Bourne Trilogy, and the Taken movies, and combining them with several excellent films…
21st Century Action Heroes and Their Firearms It’s difficult to say exactly when stories of vigilante justice became part of the cultural zeitgeist. As early as the 13th century, the legend of Robin Hood told stories of justice in an unjust world, and broadcast radio brought heroes like Zorro and the Lone Rangers into homes…