Condor

That was too bad Brian. The ride down there ended up pretty nice... With a little bit of a flat tire issue tossed in for good measure... :-) And those meals at Margies were awesome. The first time we had a hamburger it came out on a platter with enough fries to feed an army, and the burger was so big it needed to be carved up a bit to get it in our mouths.... I wonder how Jack and Bev are doing?? They're great peeps... I think about them a lot... You too my friend...

My Bro in Montana sent me this video of a rifle restoration. It's a little long but I found it fascinating. There was a news article about a couple of hunters, during deer season, running across this old 1873 Winchester leaning against a tree high up in the Sierras. From the shape it was in it had been there for a very long time.... Probably since the early 1900's or even before. What a story it could tell.... Anyway, maybe this could be the gun?? The only thing I questioned was the restorer needed to get a large ultrasonic cleaner instead of an oil bath and aggressive tools. That's what I use when dealing with rust on Black Powder revolvers. The rust rolls off overnight and leaves clean metal for the next morning. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did...

Yep Podre Canyon of Ft Collins, CO was a great ride... We did a VR.org Venture Rally there around '07... Denver U. 1963... That makes me very old... :-) But I do know the area. It's a toss up which area has the best 'stuff'...

Next time your at the marina in San Luis Bay stop by Fat Cats for fish and chips... Great place for lunch.. Or breakfast?? :-) You might want to visit Fess Parkers Winery. We did that on a Venture West and few years ago in '08. Not too far from Avila. You get there off hwy 154 turn off 101. Speaking of 154 you can visit Cold Spring Tavern up on Stage Coach Road. Goes back to 1886... Also take 101 north of Vandenberg up toward Guadalupe to Pizmo. Feels like you're in Tiajuana.... Ride the beach at Pizmo... That aught to keep you busy for a while... :-)

You're gonna love the area.. Been over the See Canyon road in a 4by from where it starts off San Luis Bay Rd all the way to Morro Bay. Great view from the top. From your pics yours was even better.. :-) California's a great MC touring state except for the bunch of crazies running the Gov.

In the remote reserve for the rear brake master you'll find that sometimes the rubber baffle that keeps air out of the system is extended down and hits the low fluid float. It's not easy to get to but I've found that with a coat hanger bent to the proper shape you can lift the baffle back up a few folds and the light will go out. It ain't perfect, but works.

All that millitary ordinance is impressive...., I have one problem... they don't fit in a holster... :-) A little story on the 500#er in Hawthorn... My father in law was a lifer in the USAF. 29/6&1. He was also the head of munitions when stationed at the Danang AFB in 'Nam. Every once in a while he'd receive one or two 500# bombs, and he didn't have anything that would handle them. So... when they wanted to establish a fire base out in the jungle he'd load one up on a helo and drop it where ever they wanted to clear the area. Instant 100 yard helicopter pad!! He sure had a lot of entertaining stories about the good old days. He'd never talk about Area 51.... :-)

Wow!! I didn't even think about those big BOOMERS shooting BP. I had heard that it was like tossing a Volkswagen 16 miles... Great gas milage!! :-) I wonder if they even use smokeless in any type of canon?? And if not I wonder why?? Too much chamber pressure???

Youse guys did a nice job... I don't own an Old Army yet, but it's on my bucket list.... :-)

Did you make that or did you buy it. The reason I ask is I've seen the same exact one for sale commercially from Traditions. Passed on it when I saw it. I had in mind a separate stand. This one is a little more expensive than most but it handles 44 and 36, and for $40 bucks...what the hey!! https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/black-powder-cylinder-loading-stand.html

Wood?? Knife??..... Whittle... :-)

LOL... And probably not as dangerous finding it... :-) I'll probably never need to clean the snub... 'cause I'll probably never shoot it.. Like a lot of the other... unfired in the box.. different BP's, it'll stay in the box. Someday, 50 years from now when I'm 130 , they'll be collectable.. I own many other 'used' that serve as BOOMERS.

When you end up with a nice shaved lead ring when seating the ball there's no way a spark can set off a chain reaction. However... load up a ball that's a few thousandths undersized and there a lot of potential trouble... I stick with .454 diam ammo and so far no problem... If you look closely at the snub you'll notice there's no ram mechanism like on a longer barrel. So it comes with a loose brass ram rod.. see the video.. and I guess I'll be investing in a BP loading stand. Just not the one used in the video.. $140++ bucks!!. Hell I've paid less for a couple of BP revolvers.. Cabela's and Midway have cheaper models. I think I saw one on Amazon..?? Hey' it's all fun... :-)

Actually, the function of a choil is to allow the entire edge of the blade to be sharpened.... It also shows that the smith knows what he's doing... IMHO... :-)

It's made by Pietta in Italy and imported by EMF in ..... believe it or not !!... Kommiefornia.. EMF will sell direct, and do wholesale to others like Cabela's and Midway USA... I picked this one up from a gun auction in Ohio.. The nice thing about black powder is there are no FFL restrictions and can be shipped right to your door... Just like the good ol' days... :-)

This arrived in the mail from Ohio yesterday. Another 'different' type BP for the collection...

Interesting....

Very nice... One of the things about a custom is the blade smith includes a choil. I see so many 'customs' that don't have it, and for me that means the maker knows what they're doing...

Besides collecting firearms, another fetish I have is collecting knives. It all started many years ago when I rep'd guns and we also had a line of Track knives made in Whitefish MT. Before then I usually carried a pocket knife for opening letters and cleaning finger nails... Track got me hooked. To date I don't own a single Track, and can't afford to own one at the prices these folks are asking.... However... I do have a fair collection of nice quality 'others', and the OCD continues... but only when I can afford them. If it's a quality made in the USA, I'm your huckleberry. I'm also partial to European styles, and Japan blades are as a rule very good. I'll even go for 'El Cheapo' Chinese throw aways if the price is right and they are new in the box. Bulk buys at a buck each... :-) Here's a pic of one of my favorite camp knives. The only identifying mark is the initials A.S. on the blade, and I've tried to research the maker, but can't find a thing... Another mystery... I you have a favorite?? Post it...

The Angio went OK... I guess?? They found one blocked artery but chose not to stint. The reason is they found evidence of capillaries by-passing the blockage. So it's a one-a-day beta blocker til God wants me.. If I do any type of walk-about it's gonna be on 4 wheels. Haven't seen Rick in a couple of years. I keep sending him emails but never get a response. Maybe he's pissed at me?? I just heard from Vic. He's busier than a one armed paper hanger... We did get together when Rick and Nina blew through town a couple of years ago. It was great getting together with some of the O.F.'s..

Yeah, that 308 is a sleeper. Never heard of it before picking it up. Commercial FN action, Douglas Bbl, Can-Jar trigger. I had a custom 264 with a Douglas and FN, and it drove tacks and shot like a frozen clothes line... Have no doubt that Herters 308 with the Douglas will perform as well ... Wish the knees hadn't given out. I'd be right there with ya...

I'm kinda partial to 7mm's as well, and really like a 7x57. Here's a Brno that I have that's fills both light weight and performance needs. Iron sights and for east coast hunting from 25 to 150 yards it works. For something a little heavier I also have a Herters J9 in 308. Never shot it but wouldn't hesitate packing it in brushy terrain..

IF you posted a pic of a multi-meter???? It's working..working..working..working... etc......... However if it was of your scoot, you might have a problem.... :-)

Absolutely my friend... It'd be great to see you again....

Oh, I can figure it out... it just takes a while... Slow synapses.. I've been fantasizing about doing a walk-about for a couple of years now. As soon as I finish this box of Wheaties I just may?? :-) Got lots of shirt-tails spread out from FL to NY. Could be on the road a couple of months??