[SASS, The Early Days]

On 6/14/2021 at 2:59 PM, McCandless said:

Los Altos Red, Shotgun Red, Dead Eye Dick, Dr. Willard B. Slipsnake, and Hang Fire Hank, c. 1986

I recall it being Los Altos Red, Dead Eye Dick, Shotgun Red... 

[SASS, The Early Days]

EOT 1986 Long Range Side Match.  Maybe the ONLY time a non-cartridge rifle was used.  I didn't finish last, but quite far behind 1st!!!

[SASS, The Early Days]

Actually, the rifle calibers as a main match rifle ended in 1985.  My 1st monthly match was in late summer 1985; I brought my 94 Winchester in .30-30 to use, and had to borrow a rifle... This was at Coto De Caza with the Wild Bunch!   Sometimes known as the Coto Cowboys! 

I was told that EOT '85 was the last use of a rifle caliber as a main match gun. I know they weren't allowed in '86 or any later except as long range entries.

[SASS, The Early Days]

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[SASS, The Early Days]

5 hours ago, Marshal Hangtree said:

I personally wouldn't mind returning to the days of the single pistol.

Mighty hard to shoot "Gunfighter" style... 

[SASS, The Early Days]

It seems so weird to see photos from the times when only a single pistol was worn.  Even more rare to see someone wearing their sole pistol as a cross-draw.  

 

[SASS, The Early Days]

Thanks, that's what I thought I remembered!  I don't think I ever met Carl or Mike, except when this picture was taken.  Never knew (or didn't remember), their alias's.  Yes, we were young!  And had fun!  I remember you and Frank made fun of my plain, undecorated buckskins... which they still are to this day!  Not as much as "Dusty Rivers" as they were also so clean... which they still are, mostly... but, they're a LOT tighter these days!

 

Hope all's well with you, and hope to see you again!  

[SASS, The Early Days]

29 minutes ago, Wes Terner SASS#36 life said:

This entire article made my heart swell from all the memories and the greatest people ever, both those that have gone on beyond the great divide  and those still with us! SASS has and will always be one of the greatest parts of my life!

Thank you all for your contribution to this fantastic trip down memory lane!

Wes Terner SASS #36 life 

aka James Butler Hickok (first 10 years of SASS) former member of the Wild Bunch

You here?  I'm hidden, 2nd from left next to "Paydirt"

[American Western Arms Lightening Rifle]

I recently acquired Hoss' Lightning in 44-40.  Run it this past Sat. in a WB match.  Ran flawlessly.  It's my new favorite rifle.  Ran some rounds thru it at the range the day before, and figured out where it shot... and that gave me the confidence to run it on Sat.  Didn't miss a target with it all day!  

[SASS, The Early Days]

Welcome back!!!

[SASS, The Early Days]

18 hours ago, Kid Curry, SASS# 2924 said:

what ever happened to RJ Poteet?  Wasn’t he the master of ceremony’s of the early end of trail?  

Yes, a founding member of the Wild Bunch & SASS, ISTR he moved to the SF area around '90.  

[SASS, The Early Days]

On 5/15/2019 at 2:07 PM, Marshal Dillon said:

When were the early days for SASS? I just want to know if I am concerned apart of those days. 

 

On 5/15/2019 at 2:17 PM, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

I consider the early days to be everything before me.  So yeah, you are one of the old timers. 

Whereas I consider you both newbies...

[Hunting with a 44-40 ?]

26 minutes ago, Trailrider #896 said:

Not anymore! The rules have been changed (unless recently changed back).  Still best to stick to loads in the Lyman handbooks, and using modern-made guns. 

Aye, but I posted that back in February, last year!

[SASS, The Early Days]

But... in 1993 or 4, some LSFSC members entered & rode in the Fort Worth Stock Show Parade...   I seem to recall we won something... but I don't remember what!  

Nobody:

 

Miss Hattie:

 

Dallas Stoudenmire:

 

and Griff:

 

I'm sure there are more pics, but, I can't find 'em... 

 

 

[SASS, The Early Days]

Hmmm.... could be... but, I believe that is Wyoming Red in the middle picture.  These were scanned off slides, and any notes I had to accompany them are long gone... 

[SASS, The Early Days]

I believe that these shots are from one our first North Texas Roundups 1992(ish?)... Set up crew and a couple shooters near an early gun cart, pre-prohibition against horizontal guns.

 

 

 

[SASS, The Early Days]

1988 OWSA National Shootout

Participant photo

IIRC Hangfire Hank won .

It was my son's first "big" match, standing to next to China Camp's right.  

[SASS, The Early Days]

LSFSC 1991 Roundup:  Some of the Californios that drove out to Texas for our 1st annual match...

Mossy Horn & MIss Annie

Slickshot & Mrs. Slickshot

Dastardly Dave & Runnin' Bare

[SASS, The Early Days]

6 hours ago, McCandless said:

China Camp was a 5-Time SASS Overall World Champion, and was in the first class inducted into the Cowboy Action Shooting Hall of Fame. This interview was recorded in 2006. 

FIVE CONSECUTIVE WINS.

[SASS, The Early Days]

The "Fritz gang from '87 EOT IIRC.  And some behind the scenes setup for EOT '88

[SASS, The Early Days]

22 hours ago, McCandless said:

Wasn't until the early '90's that folks wanted twice the fun!  Before that most stages were 2 gun... pistol and rifle or pistol and shotgun.

It was the mid-90s before we had two six-guns on every stage.  In CA from about '87 we were doin' 3 guns on most stages...    It was '85 when Coto de Caza forbid the .30-30 as a main match round.  Like the month before I first showed up with mine!

[SASS, The Early Days]

On 3/4/2018 at 12:12 PM, Pugilist sass1006 said:

Wow thank you stumbled on to these pictures of my parents from 88 eot. Deadly Redly & Irish Clementine. Brought back many a great memory of being raised in a shooting family. From the days of the fast frontiers & Wes Thompsons Juniper Tree Ranch to the Leatherslap & the beginnings of South West Pistol League, combat shooting through the beginning of SASS and its evolution. My brother and i were there. They Made sure we had a lot of fun, could compete and were safe. It was the best family time of my life, Brings a tear to my eye as they are both with Jesus and I really miss-um.

Pugilist 1006L

My wife & I often talk of the good times we had with Deadly Readly & Irish Clementine up at West End.  Our sincerest condolences on their passing.

[SASS, The Early Days]

13 hours ago, McCandless said:

The Showdown '88.  The top two Black Powder shooters were Shotgun Red and Griff.

I don't remember who's idea of a joke that was... 

[SASS, The Early Days]

4 hours ago, Sixgun Sheridan said:

So how many of these old-timers were using short-stroke kits and firing mouse fart loads?

Nada, zip, zero on the short-stroke.  But... they weren't far in the future.  Define "mouse fart" load.  At this time there was a fps floor, IIRC 650fps.    That was changed to 400fps and then we got the "power factor".  

[SASS, The Early Days]

8 hours ago, Goody, SASS #26190 said:

So, you USED to be able to do that? Reckon why they changed the rule. Seems harmless enough to me.

Distinct disadvantage for some...