Out of control

[RonRC]

Well, Watauga, it is called "Compulsive over collecting." My wife calls it a disease or affliction. I call it "fun" and "appreciation of history."
Fortunately, I had 2 banjos I bought in the 70s that appreciated significantly. Both were sold so that I could indulge in my new (at the time) interest -  muzzle loaders. Still have a very nice banjo and I can only play one at a time.
Here I am practicing outdoors:

And I like my modern guns, as well:

Ron

[Hanshi]

  Oh, Ron, you poor guy.  If I'd known you were so handgun poor I'd have started a go-fund-me page for you...NOT!  All seriousness aside, you have a magnificent battery of one-hand shooters.  Brother hotfxr does too but let's skip over him and his complaining about his cache.  The one c&b I've wanted for a long time is the 1862 Pocket Police with 6 1/2" (or any in fact) barrel.  But it seems that every time I try and acquire one they say I have to pay for it!  So to them I give "the hiss of shame", hsssssss; got that one off a tv commercial.

On another note I've lost some deer friends & students in ways I'd have never thought: heart attack, roadside bomb, cancer, agent orange.  A shocker was a special young lady & college student at my dojo who was murdered by a serial killer while hiking on Blood Mountain with her dog down in Georgia.  Her case has been featured at least twice on TV news magazines.  It later came to light that her killer, although armed, was nearly killed by HER.  He was responsible for similar murders in Florida and NC.  Sorry I had to bring this up but it still disturbs us to this day.

And I have a few good friends in Virginia, Ala, Ks, Co, Mo and many more in my beloved Georgia.  And I believe  I just lied earlier, on second thought.  I was given a CVA .50 and a modern revolver by a friend many years ago.  But with my luck they will eventually turn back into pumpkins I'm sure.

But here is a photo - I've posted this before - of my pet.  And Ron, you look really playing your banjo.


Okay TWO photos; so sue me.

[RonRC]

Very nice flint  lock! Is that a chest holster it is in?
Ron

[Patocazador]

Some of the same pistols, different arrangement - with no cap and ball:

Ron, the second from the bottom pistol with the gold sideplate, what kind of wood is that and are the striations real or artificial?

Also, please tell us about the top pistol with the "ivory" accoutrements.

[RonRC]

The second from the bottom is a "flame" or "tiger stripe" maple. The side plate is engraved brass. I have taken the pistol apart to see if the "stripes" continue under the barrel. Indeed, the stripes are continuous up the sides and over the top of the wood frame. It was built by Terry Harrison. The 10 inch barrel pistol has a Siler brass lock, brass fittings and side plate. The features of this gun are pre-1780 design, There are minimal embellishments, relying on the maple pattern to be highlighted.  The stock is finished with Tung Oil.

The pistol at the top: The ivory on the nose cap and grips are made from old piano keys (or so I was told). The rifled barrel is 10" long and it is .50 caliber. There is engraving on the lock, the tang, the trigger guard, and the grip. The stock has some nice figure. The grip is quite small.
The barrel is a Colerain with a 1-56 twist.  The lock: Siler Mountain Lock with modified lock plate and added engraving to the lock plate and hammer. The piece on the end of the ramrod is buffalo bone.
Ron

[hotfxr]

Ron, that is a gorgeous collection!    I really like that tiger striped maple. Don't tell Hanshi that you are giving it to me for my birthday this year, you know how he gets. 

[RonRC]

Thank you, hotfxr.
The best shooter of the bunch is the fourth one down, although the English style one at the bottom is close.
Here is another photo of the the tiger stripe pistol:


And here is a portrait of my friend, Hanshi:


Ron

[Patocazador]

Thanks for the reply, Ron. The one I like the best is the the 4th one from the top (1st flintlock). The fit and workmanship is impeccable.

[RonRC]

The fourth one down is a 45 cal fully custom Kentucky pistol by Don Rose, a leather craftsman who was helped by Dennis Priddy and Dick Miller, both gun makers.  Dick Miller is the Gunmaker's Hall Chairman, President's Hall, Friendship, and is responsible for building most of the raffle guns for the American Longrifle Association. He also writes for Muzzle Loader Magazine. Priddy makes expensive rifles and pistols and is prominent in muzzleloading circles. Dennis Priddy has guns featured in the Contemporary Makers Blog.

[hotfxr]

So what now? I know, everyone meet at Ron's house this weekend to help him give those amazing pistols a workout! I'm sure he will welcome us all. 

[Hanshi]

Very nice flint  lock! Is that a chest holster it is in?
Ron

Yes and no.  I mean the holster is made in such a way it can be used as a shoulder holster if one has the straps or belts; I've done it before, no problem.  As you see in the photo it can be strapped to most anything.

HEY!  That portrait is wrong!  My tooth is on the other side!  I need to check my schedule for today; I think I'll set aside some time for a "hissy-fit".  5 minutes ought to do it.

[RonRC]

So what now? I know, everyone meet at Ron's house this weekend to help him give those amazing pistols a workout! I'm sure he will welcome us all. 

Just let me know how many are coming over and I will order enough Burger King fake meat burgers to go around.
Ron

[bmtshooter]

The ivory looks too large and thick to be piano keys, but it is hard to get a real sense of scale in pictures.  That's a really nice bunch of pistols. 

[RonRC]

The ivory looks too large and thick to be piano keys, but it is hard to get a real sense of scale in pictures.  That's a really nice bunch of pistols.

I thought so too. However, the grip is very small. My hand is not particularly large, yet I could use more size on the grip of this pistol. Even as small as it is, the ivory seems to be larger than a piano key, although I have never bothered to take measurements.
But, "piano keys" is what I was told.
Is there a non-destructive method to tell if the "ivory" on the grip is, indeed, ivory and not "ivoroid?"
Ron

[RonRC]

For real ivory, you have to be able to handle very delicate situations:


ron