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4 members (gunmaker, Vall, Argo44, 1 invisible),
431
guests, and
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robots. |
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Key:
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Forums10
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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,991 Likes: 402
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,991 Likes: 402 |
I read this morning that Jim Kelly of Darlington gunworks and his wife passed away last week. I did not know him but was familiar with his reputation for quality gun work. B
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2 members like this:
bill schodlatz, Stanton Hillis |
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,080 Likes: 466
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,080 Likes: 466 |
Steve, that is sad news. He was a big help to me over the years evaluating doubles and repairing as needed. Mrs. Kelly was a sweet person who helped run the business. He was a fountain of great stories stemming from his time in France as an apprentice in gun shops and being Gen. Curtis LeMay's gunsmith while serving as an armorer in the USAF while stationed in France. Gil
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2 members like this:
Run With The Fox, Stanton Hillis |
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,144 Likes: 1145
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,144 Likes: 1145 |
What a great doublegun 'smith is gone! He was such an interesting man, and so engaging to spend time with. He stayed so busy that I never felt good about taking a long time to talk, but he never seemed to mind. A master gunsmith, indeed, and oh how he will be missed.
I have seen this happen before, where the wife of a man passed from this life, a partner in a nearly lifelong marriage, and the other passed very soon. I have often thought that the will to live just goes away when one leaves the other.
Thanks, Steve, for the sad information. Did your source for the information have a link to an obituary?
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,775 Likes: 183
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,775 Likes: 183 |
indeed, thanks for the notice. Such a bitter pill of Life to swallow. I do hope his apprentice learned all he could......
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,144 Likes: 1145
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,144 Likes: 1145 |
Obit for his wife, Dianne, can be found at this site as well.
https://www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com/obituaries/James-Kelly-71/#!/Obituary
Don't know why it won't link.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Lt. Gen Curtis LeMay was a main force in using skeet to train gunners for the bombing missions. In Dave Riffle's book on the Model 12, he is pictured holding a presentation grade 12 gauge M12 skeet gun. Not apples to apples here, but when stationed at Quantico, as an armorer, I did strip and clean detail on my C.O.'s personal weapons, also shot with him and his friends on the base trap fields. Quite an honor, IMO. No offense, but at that time, it was designated USAAF- the USAF came after WW2 ended, and the Air Force became a separate branch of our Military. Curtis LeMay was, IMO, cast in the same mold as Admiral Wm. "Bull" Halsey and USMC Gen "Chesty" Puller. RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 918 Likes: 246
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 918 Likes: 246 |
Raimey;
Earlier this year, South Carolina Wildlife magazine had an article about Jim Kelly along with a photo of him honing a set of shotgun barrel bores. I am going to send the photo and the portion of the article with that photo to your email address so that you can post it here.
Stephen Howell
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,883 Likes: 106
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,883 Likes: 106 |
LeMay opening the ranges at Andrews AFB in 1964 -- ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/H1vbw1o.jpg)
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 195 Likes: 17
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 195 Likes: 17 |
Lt. Gen Curtis LeMay was a main force in using skeet to train gunners for the bombing missions My Dad shot skeet in aerial gunnery training in 1943.
“When faith is lost, when honor dies, the man is dead” - John Greenleaf Whittier
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,399 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,399 Likes: 15 |
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Jim and his wife. I have been a customer of his for several years. I picked up 2 repairs just 2 weeks ago. Jim had a wealth of gun knowledge and was a fine gentleman. He will be sorely missed! Thanks Jim for all you have done for me. May you and your life partner Rest In Peace. See you again down the road a bit.
Walter Snyder
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