One of my first exchanges with Michael would seem to be of interest in the
present circumstances. I wrote:
"Well Michael,
Now I'm embarrassed. I have been a Precision Shooting subscriber since
about 1964, sticking with it through all the lean years, when it was scarcely more than a pamphlet. Of course, I have read your articles with interest and pleasure, but I just didn't make the connection.
I first came in contact with PS through Crawford Hollidge, a big name in
bench rest shooting in the 50's, one of the founding fathers, so to speak.
Through him I met such luminaries as Harvey Donaldson, Mike Walker, Warren
Page, Brunon Brunowski and others whose names escape me for the moment.
When Crawford gave up shooting, he wanted me to have some of his rifles,
and I still have them, including an elaborately engraved Model 70, barreled by
Taylor and Robbins, and engraved by John Warren, whom Crawf also
introduced me to. Because Crawf was left handed, I couldn't use his stock,
so I had it restocked by Griffin & Howe, and it is one of the favorite pieces of my modest collection.
This brings me to a subject you may have some thoughts on. None of my
three sons is interested in guns or shooting. Over the years, I have
accumulated some guns which are truly out of the ordinary, like Crawf's Model 70, and like his .219 Donaldson Wasp bench rest rifle he which he is pictured
shooting in the various articles he wrote. I feel that there should be a
repository of such rifles of historical interest other than the NRA
museum, where serious researchers could have access to them, and I would
be glad to leave such rifles that I have to such a repository. I wouldn't entrust my prized possessions to the NRA, I'm afraid.
I would appreciate any comments you might have on the subject."
Michael wrote:
"No reason to be embarrassed, can't expect people to equate Michael (no
last name) to a few articles in PS.
Years ago (30) when I first got interested in firearms research I wrote
many letters to the NRA, took me while to realize that they don't know
very much or don't have a way to look it up. They have never even
indexed the American Rifleman. At one time the gal that ran the NRA
museum when it was downtown would call me with questions about stuff
published in the American Rifleman because I had a complete collection
and she did not. Guns that I KNOW are in their collection I cannot get
info on. I would, like you, never give anything to the NRA.
What I plan for my stuff (it's in my Will) is that all my papers,
records, pictures and files will go to the Rifled Arms Historical
Society and my collection will go to auction. It this way the research
is preserved and the guns get to be enjoyed by new generations."
This message from Michael was sent in 2003 and obviously a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. I have been told that the Rifled Arms Historical Society no longer exists, so obviously this part of the information is no longer valid. My point was that Michael did not want his collection of fine rifles to end up in a museum, but in the hands of those who would appreciate the workmanship and artistry and enjoy using them. This is a sentiment I totally agree with.