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

"----big men are not afraid to make mistakes." That's supposed to make us happy? Well, maybe? Publications for and by loving "amateurs" (Foxy can give you the Latin root) generally suffer from a wild and endearing eccentricity and individuality of expression and sometimes from sleep-inducing tedium. There are folks who know little and reveal less at considerable length. Enthusiasm and effort count for something in the politics of making common cause with those of similar interests. But back to Muderlak . . . .

jack

Rabbit:
Hey pal, lets get back to YOU. Yes you. Rabbit. As a pseudo-rodent, I'd like to hear YOUR credentials to criticize the late Ed Muderlak (JD and author)... or anyone else who writes for a living or hobby -- which you obviously don't.

If there's anyone's prose that's likely to cause IBS, it's your bilge on this BBS. Now scamper back to your hole and drop a few pellets!

So Siskel and Ebert and other "Critics" don't count in your book, hey Dr. Drew-bee?? I was raised in the old school of machine shop practice- when I was about 11 and still pulling shavings in my Granddad's machine shop (ALL USA mfg. tools, machinery and gauges too) I saw an apprentice take a blueprint and ask Granddad "What are the tolerances, I don't see any plus or minus for the mill or shaper listed-?"" His reply-- "Just make it right, and then you won't have to worry about the tolerances"--

What if some writer detailed Pearl Harbor Day as being December 9, 1941? Is that OK to let "slide by' in your book? Or maybe D-day as June 7th, 1945. You either get it right, or you take pains to get it right- I love all the pre-1964 Winchesters, but IMO- the best of the Model 21's, Model 12's and Model 70's were made prior to 1941-42. War contracts and the greater working tolerances of the: M-1 Garand, BAR, etc- got the workmen used to working to greater plus-minus tolerances than prior to the War- and afterwards, that operational code continued-

Compare a 1939 M70 Super-Grade or a Model 21 Trap Grade Skeet gun to a 1954 version- the pre-War Winchester will have: better wood, grain and pattern, hand cut checking with no borders, wood proud to the steel evenly around the circumference- etc-

I respect Teddy Roosevelt- but his "Critics rather than Doers" falls short, when you consider his role as NYC Police Commissioner in the 1890's- read Caleb Carr's novel "The Alienist" for some background there- we need critics and those with Eagle Eyes in this world, and if you can't abide them, that's your option. I also gave the author a favorable comment regarding the details on the muzzle 'dimples" and his fotos- and some "wiggle room" as the keystroke could have been on the number 1 instead of the number 7 when the type was set-

Instead of trying to criticize my observational powers, limited though they are, Doc- quote to me instead from Kipling- try his poem "IF"-- the part about persevering with broken tools- speaks to me deeply about the need to correct the mistakes you have made (and Lord knows I've made plenty), learn from them and don't repeat them again--RWTF

I appreciate your point, Craig, and supporting a friend stands tall in my lexicon- But let me ask you this- why is it that in the copy of the Houchin's book (I call it the Bible of Smithdom) there was also attached an errata page- whereas after the fact of printing, editors with the same (possibly) Eagle eyes I'd like to think I have on my good days anyway- found some minor FUBARS, and instead of the too often sloppy 'close enough" philosophy, issued corrections- Or in my signed copy from Silvio Calabi of his masterpiece work- on Ernest Hemingway's guns- about 9 months after I received my copy- he went me a corrections page- some details very minor or so minute as to escape notice, but the Hallmark of a real craftsman, whether at a Corona or Remington typewriter, or at a dusty old bench in the German Town sector of Phila-, fitting the ejectors, etc--is the driving need to aim for perfection in every keystroke on the keyboard, or every stroke with the file- Great article by you on the HE Super-Fox guns, almost makes me wish I had kept mine--RWTF

Dog gone it Fox, if you're gonna say something, proof read it first--then make corrections, will ya? We will not tolerate sloppy posts.

I can't believe you don't know who I am, BB. Anyway pseudorodents don't torch gun actions and I'll say anything I wish about Muderlak's writing. Hell of a researcher in any case so I guess he really isn't an idiot--just sort of another exasperating energizer bunny who's done everything well and written nothing really well.

jack

RWTF, I enjoyed reading "The Alienist"--while realizing full well that it's a work of fiction. Old TR obviously took on a tough task as NYC police commissioner back then.

Hadn't heard about Muderlak's recent death until mentioned by Ed/Bob and did not intend to break the taboo of speaking ill of those who can't defend. As for you, Torchy, I don't need your crap either, so you go play with yourself, bud.

jack

I have a subscription to DGJ so that I can further my knowledge about double guns. That, and simply to enjoy reading about others' experiences with them. I do not read them in order to expand my knowledge of the world's historical events. I enjoyed the piece by Tom very much, never giving the date of the Lusitania's sinking a second thought, as the piece was about a very special L.C. Smith gun.

In Francis' defense, he did a gentlemanly job of pointing out the error. However, I cannot get my head around the mindset that thinks it is important to point out such an error on this board. He has the right to do so, absolutely, but does he have a valid reason for it? I think not.

Error in historical dating............. Tom.
Error in judgement..................... RWTF

SRH

Fox if we buy you a Liftime Membership in the Parker Gun Collector's Assocation I wonder if they will let you start posting on their BBS again.

If they will I will throw $20 in the kitty,

Best,

Mike