Have you ever called someone that you only knew them by their alias?

[Alpo]

Some people here I actually know their name. But that's generally because their name is part of their alias. Utah Bob's name is really Bob. Sedalia Dave's name is really Dave. Calamity Kris's name is really Kris.

 

But generally I only know people here by their alias.

 

15 or so years back my daughter's family was moving. Her husband had a car lease. He was not taking the car with him. And he wanted to know how he could get out of the lease. If he would have to pay the two or three years that was left on it when he left.

 

I didn't have any idea, so I posted that question in the Saloon (ACS). I figured that somebody here was bound to know.

 

And I get a personal message. Guy says that he does that for a living and he can answer all my questions and I need to call him at this number. Before 5:00.

 

So I call, and this man answers the phone, and feeling really really stupid I ask, "Is this General Delivery?"

 

And it was and he told me the stuff I needed to know and I thanked him and that was the end of it. Ain't never talked to him again.

 

The first time I went to Fandango - 2001 - I was going to stay in the Saloonatic village. I don't know if it is still like this - this October will be 20 years since I've been there - but at that time the range had this big parking lot area. And people for Fandango could bring their RVs and camp in that big parking lot. There was also a smaller lot. And that was for the people that were going to be on the Saloonatic posse. Sierra Jack Cassidy had some deal going with a guy that sold used RVs. If you had your own RV, you fetched it along and you can stay on that Saloonatic lot. And if you did not have an RV, but you still wished to stay there, you could rent one of those from Cassidy's buddy.

 

So I show up and go to sign in, and this fella asked how he can help me, and I tell him I need to see Sierra Jack Cassidy. He's supposed to set me up with a camper. And the guy turns around and yells, "Tell Keith that another one of his has showed up".

 

Keith? Who the heck is Keith? For some reason it had never occurred to me that Cassidy would have another name.

[Stump Water]

Yes.

[Cypress Sun]

Most of them, I only know their alias. I might know their first name but other than that, total stranger. Some are listed in my speed dial by alias.

 

The Polk County Crackers in Lakeland gave out a list of real names and addresses at Christmas time in 1998/99 so we could send Christmas cards to each other. Nice gesture I guess, except for the fact that now people, that you have no idea who they REALLY are, have your real name and address. First thing I asked was "Who are these people?" 

 

On the other hand, I've loaned backup firearms to people at State and below matches to use during the matches back in the day even though they were on different posse's other than myself. Didn't know their real names, or much about them at the time....always got my guns back with no problems. Not so sure I'd do that these days.

[Blackwater 53393]

I’ve known a number of our cowboys by their real name, mostly because I would have to call them where they worked.  
 

When I first joined my home club, even before I’d received my alias, the owner of the property and president of the club told me that if I ever had a question about the club or SASS that I should call him and he gave me his home and office numbers and his real name.

 

That was Charlie Bowdre, the president of the club and president and owner of one of the largest and finest assisted living chains in the world.  He said to tell whoever answered the phone that it was “cowboy business” and that they’d put me right through.

 

I’ll never know why, but he more or less adopted me along with three or four other cowboys.

 

So one day, shortly afterward, he left me a message at my work.  I called back and a nice lady answered the phone and asked how could she help me. I said “I need to speak to Preston Sweeney” and she said that he wasn’t in. I followed with the “it’s cowboy business” and she put me right through!

 

Later on, I became a frequent visitor and traveling companion. Half the time when I called, I’d ask for “Charlie” because everyone else in the office had adopted that as code for “it’s cowboy business”

 

That little group that traveled and shot together were just as likely to the others by their name or their alias, anywhere or anytime and those of us still living still do!!

[Michigan Slim]

My real name is Michigan.

[Blackwater 53393]

My bank and the local post offices know me as Blackwater!

[Boggus Deal #64218]

Mine really is Boggus.

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

A pard bought one of my books and asked me to sign it.

My mind went just absolutely blank, so I did what I did best ... I made wit' da smart remarks ...

I knew him by his alias and asked if he wanted it signed to him or to his given Christian name as I did not know who-all might read what I wrote, and did he really want decent people knowin' he had any association with a scoundrel like me, and I got him to laugh and he said "Sign it to so-and-so" and then the light bulb finally clicked on and yes I remembered his "real" name ... but not until he spoke it ...

Not the first time I had to rattle around the silverware drawer and come up with a spatula, to scrape the egg off my face!

[Widder, SASS #59054]

My real name is Mike, but most know me as 'Widder', even at church.

 

I always answer the phone with 'This is Widder' and even my Mom (rest her soul) and my brothers

and sister know me by Widder also.

There are lots of 'Mike's in the world.......... but there ain't but one real 'Widder'.  

 

..........Widder

 

[Eyesa Horg]

Because of being involved with our state shoot registration, I've learned a lot of real names! A couple times, like when buying a gun, I've preferred to speak with the individual and called and asked for his alias and told him mine. Then we seem to drift to real first names. Same with PMs. Horg has been a nickname for both I and Ellie, so calling me Horg would get my attention!! I should have spelled Eyesa, Isa, as it's often pronounced Aysa by folks that don't know me. Widder probably knows me as Steve, but when I call I still introduce myself as Eyesa!

[MizPete]

People usually don't even know my alias is Fair Game (tho some act like they do).  Depending on where I am, I'm Miss Bobbie or Miz Pete.  And that's just fine with me.

[Blackwater 53393]

1 hour ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

My real name is Mike, but most know me as 'Widder', even at church.

 

I always answer the phone with 'This is Widder' and even my Mom (rest her soul) and my brothers

and sister know me by Widder also.

There are lots of 'Mike's in the world.......... but there ain't but one real 'Widder'.  

 

..........Widder

 

 

THANK GOODNESS!!!! 
 

jes’ yankin’ yer chain, my friend!! 😜

[Michigan Slim]

I was 200 miles into a trip with two great friends. I looked at the driver and asked "Boss, what is your name anyways?" He said Joe. What's yours?" Well, it's Mark. I looked into the backseat and asked my buddy there. David, he said. We have not used them since. Knew those guys better than a decade at that point.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I only know almost all of you by your alias and that’s fine I don’t need know your real names😂

[Boggus Deal #64218]

On this note. About 20 years ago, I was traveling a lot for work and staying for days on end in a town with a gun club. I figured I could join and practice in the evenings. To join this club you needed a six hour safety course on a Saturday or have a member sponsor you. Largo Casey, offered to sponsor me. When I went to the club meeting to fill out the application, I got to the spot for the sponsor’s name. I realized I did not know his real name! Thankfully, he showed up and told me but he also realized he didn’t know my real name…

Cowboys…

[Subdeacon Joe]

In the SCA I knew people by their SCA name for 15 years, and where they lived by the SCA group.  I had no way to contact someone other than by calling the head of that local group and asking for the person by the SCA name.  Can't call information and ask for the phone number of William the Lucky out of Montagne du Roi.

 

On another matter, I had to call "Jack's Powder Keg" to get powder for our Civil War artillery unit.  Needed to have the proper forms sent to me so I could buy powder.  Called the number, "Office of Judge John Somehingorother." (pause, pause) "Um....is this Jack's Powder Keg?  Or am I in serious trouble now?"  (laughter from the lady on the other end) "Yes, this is Jack's.  We get that a lot.  How may I help you?"

[SHOOTIN FOX]

Plausible deniability.

 

A while ago I was updating my background check. Listed my alias as an aka. Number of folks only knew me as my alias and responded to inquiries accordingly. 
 

Fox

[Cypress Sun]

Ever go to the large match host hotel front desk and ask "Can you tell me which room Diamond Bob (or other alias) is staying in?" For some reason they don't have aliases listed on the hotel registry.

[Alpo]

3 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

My bank and the local post offices know me as Blackwater!

Many years back there was a thread about "you know you're a cowboy shooter when", or maybe it was something like "you know you've been a cowboy shooter too long when".

 

Cassidy said that when you endorse a check with your alias. He said he was cashing his paycheck one time and they wanted to know who Sierra Jack Cassidy was.

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

First club back in the 90s we used to send X mas cards in the season, so we knew each other's names and addresses.  I'm now in MN and know the real names of a couple of shooters, but most are known by aliases. 

[Stump Water]

1 hour ago, MizPete said:

People usually don't even know my alias is Fair Game

 

Excuse me?

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

I only know Cowboy/Cowgirl real names if I knew them before starting to shoot Cowboy Action or if I exchange emails and their name shows up there.  Most are in my iPhone directory with their Alias.  Started shooting Cowboy Action in 2003, so about 22 years.

[Finagler 6853 Life]

My name isn't Fred but am a finagler.  Mostly by necessity. Most of the folks I have shot with, I only know by their alias.  I've learned some real names by helping with registrations, mailing things, etc.  There are a few shooters local to me that for the longest time I only knew by the their alias.  I'm friends with sme on FB, I email some, a few I have done business with but I typically call them by their alias. My receptionist gets a real laugh when someone calls me at work and asks for Fred Finagler. She has learned who I am. 

[Dapper Dave]

I've only been at this for a few months, but I know ONE person's real first name out at my club, and that was a required email. I never use it when talking to him. I know one fine gent by his screen name here and his SASS alias, which is completely different, and I haven't the foggiest idea what his real name is. I chat with him every time we shoot together, and I'd loan him a gun without question. 

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

Wait, you mean the guys I shoot with have a different name than what they are called at a match!?!!

Regards

    
Gateway Kid

[watab kid]

yes , because i wanted to have him make me some leather bits and he only knew me by my alias , but we know each other now and see each other at a shoot every year 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

My real name is Rupertus Santiago Bentlynne Shagnasty.  Shagnasty is spelled with two "nastys"

[watab kid]

41 minutes ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

My real name is Rupertus Santiago Bentlynne Shagnasty.  Shagnasty is spelled with two "nastys"

im not ca;lling you - i cant remember all that name stuff in one event - ill get one piece maybe i thought it would be Rupertus , but im pretty sure it will be Shagnasty .......could just end up Nasty with or without the S 

[MizPete]

6 hours ago, Stump Water said:

Excuse me?

Yeah.  I changed it from Unarmed Bandit b/c that's what you get when you shoot with me, whether you want it or not.  AND it fits better on a name badge.  Still, I always get Miss Bobbie or Miz Pete.

Edited April 8 by MizPete

[bgavin]

No.

[Waimea]

Most times the way I shoot I wouldn't want anybody to know my real name.

[watab kid]

i can relate to that .......would most times like to be anonymous and you can add as many Ss as youall want , 

[G W Wade]

Consider it security.    Contacts list on phone is filled with strange names only we can decipher        GW

[Cypress Sun]

12 hours ago, Waimea said:

Most times the way I shoot I wouldn't want anybody to know my real name.

 

He's not kidding, I've seen him shoot!

[Finagler 6853 Life]

On 4/7/2025 at 11:05 PM, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

My real name is Rupertus Santiago Bentlynne Shagnasty.  Shagnasty is spelled with two "nastys"

 

I remember Shagnasty.  Wasn't that from the old CAS-l wire?  I wonder what happened to him?