doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com FUBAR spotted in Winter Issue 2011

I don't usually buy the quarterly "The Double Gun Journal' but at Gander Mountain today- using the gift cards from the gals I received for Xmas- I went to their magazine rack and perused a copy- when I found fotos of Ernest Hemingway in Paris in 1945, I broke down and "dropped the dime" and bought it-

Later at home, being very fond of the LC Smith shotguns, I read with great interest the fine article on an 12 A-2 Smith- HOWEVER- WHETHER A TYPO OR A ERROR- check out the middle graph on page 119-- discussing the Krupp barrels and the anti-German feeling after the sinking of the RMS Lusitania- and I quote: "We also know that unrestricted German U-Boat warfare resulted in the sinking of the RMS LUSITANIA on May 1, 1915--- " Ooopsie-- You can't change history Mr. Archer- The LUSITANIA left the NYC docks on May 1- 1915, and was attacked by the German U-Boat as it was headed for the port of Liverpool, and sunk off the Irish coast 6 days later, on May 7.

Could be a type setting error, a 1 key struck instead of the 7 key, but the fact is, for a high-end magazine that retails for $16.00 per issue with our 6% tax here in MI-- Huumm- But other than that, great article- Not sure I agree with the Krupp stamp placed on their sets of export gun barrels being removed and replaced by the term "Monogram Steel"-- as the Krupp die striking is fairly deep and consistent, if it was ground off and re-struck at Fulton-well, anyway- great article in spite of the error of a key date in World War I era history-

I also learned something new- to me- from his article on page 115- the fotos of the Smith barrel muzzles- I had thought all the Nitro proofed steel barrels on pre-1913 Smiths had the "dimples" on the top and bottom ribs- a sure-fire way to insure the Smith you are buying has uncut barrels--

The author points out that this feature was only on Grade 2 and above Smiths- good thing to know-- I bought a nice clean unaltered 12 O grade recently DT, EXT- 28" Armor Steel barrels and they gauge Mod. and Full- But i was concerned, as even though they 'taped" at a dead even 28" on my Stanley-- there were no 'dimples" as on my 12 2E and 3E Smiths--Now I know, so thanks Mr. Archer- for that bit of worthwhile knowledge-

That leads to another "Buyer beware" issue- on one of the many gun auction sites a dealer has a very nice looking 3E 12- which he lists as having original factory 29" barrels choked M&F--he had fotos, but NOT of the muzzles- I e-mailed him and asked for close up fotos of the muzzles on that gun- guess what- Dead in the Water- he never returned my e-mail or supplied fotos- Now I don't know what that tells you, friends and neighbors, but I sure know what it tells me--

I wouldn't categorize The Double Gun Journal as a high-end magazine; high in price perhaps but lacking seriously in editing. Like you, I buy it when it has articles of my interests. It's a pity there's a modicum of blue pencils and fact-checking.

What's a Fubar ?

I thought they was extinct.

Friends:
While there is certainly the chance for error in any publication, I find that DGJ does a superb job of publishing the ONLY prestigious magazine for double gun enthusiasts. In fact, it's the only one. Period.

If we discover errors, I believe it's most gentlemanly and discreet to write a kind letter to Dan Cote about the issue and trust that his authors will be more diligent next time.

I, for one, am as scrupulous as possible in researching my material.

Also please understand that it is axiomatic in such a publication that virtually any author will be addressing individuals with far more detailed knowledge of most any subject or firearm than he has... but do not write about it. Thus, we trust you will be kindly gracious in your regard for the lowly scribe.

You're thinking of the wiley Snafu from Madagascar.

Tom Archer is one great writer!I am sure he hit the wrong key. Bobby

Writing to Dan Cote may be gentlemanly and discreet but it's no answer to conspicuous lack of editing. The issue is also more than Tom Archer hitting the wrong key or trusting that writers will be more diligent next time.

An editor's role is to prepare another's work for publication. (Not least to make authors look good---and profitable. All great writers had great editors.) Editors correct spelling and grammar, make clarity from ambiguity.

I heard that you shot the last one over the hollidays.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz picking flysheet out of pepper.

I am with Kensal, DGJ is the only high end rag that deals with the subject at hand.....guns, their owners and their history....whereas SSM and Sporting Classics have become advertising platforms for the outfits they write about...(i.e. guides, lodges, gunshops and dog training schools)

Long live DGJ ....been a subscriber since a year before the first issue was published..... when it was just an upstart idea in Dan Cote's mind

Case in point...the much ballyhooed Pretty Lady with Gun pic on recent issue of SSM that brought on so much consternation ....was in the end.....a promotion of her lodge and menu

Minor date error sounds like a tempest in a teapot, relatively insignificant in the scheme of things. Did it make you feel superior bringing it up here? FUBAR is by definition a major goof up. The acronym sure doesn't seem to fit here.