H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 24 Posted August 24 (edited) Something in another thread got me to remembering things. Specifically how over the years there have been more than a few things that were getting a lot of hype and attention when they were first introduced, but then they just kinda fizzled away. For example, as I mentioned in the other thread, there was a lot of interest/hype/speculation about the the then new Lightning reproductions that were hitting the market. I remember how a lot of people were convinced that it would become the dominate gun in our game. Obviously, it didn't happen. When the first reproduction Mares Legs hit the market, there was a lot of talk about them. The talk eventually faded away. Probably SASS officially not allowing it had something to do with that, but for a little while, talk about the concept was quite common. USFA probably started more interesting speculation that it never followed through on that it could fill a whole thread. I think the two most significant developments that never developed from them were how they made a huge deal out of how the were gonna start making reproductions of the Model 1858 and 1875 under license from Remington. Remington was quite happy about it. Lotsa people were quite anticipatory. And in zip and a flash, it never happened. The other thing they did that stands out to me was their so called, "Omni-Potent" revolver. Essentially a single action version of the Colt 1878, it was specifically approved by SASS for use in our game. It actually did make it into production, but not a lot were made and it was never anything more than a curiosity. To an extent, I think the Norinco 93/97 qualifies as well. It being disallowed by SASS undoubtably killed it, but I remember a lot of talk back in the day. I think the various reproductions of the Winchester 87 also qualify. They are still out there, and the gun has its fans, but it has very much remained an also ran in the wide SASS scheme of things. For some reason, the enthusiasm for them when they first became a thing didn't really go anywhere. Did the steep learning curve hurt them? Or did other factors play a role in them not catching on so much? Or was there just not that much interest in them in general? The last one that comes readily to mind is Standard Manufacturing and their copies of the Colt They have a price point similar to Colt, and the feeling was, at first, that they were gonna fill the gap left by the demise of USFA. Standard is still out there, still making guns, and according to all reports I've seen, they are very well made. But, they don't seem to have captured the imagination and enthusiasm that USFA did. Not sure if there is any point to all of this beyond that hype doesn't always equate to major success. Even so, I think it illustrates that if something really nifty looks like it's coming down the Pike, don't hold your breath. And if it does make it to market, don't hesitate. Grab one quick, cuz it might not last. Edited August 24 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Quote
Jack Spade Posted August 24 Posted August 24 Murder Hornets. There was a lot of hype and hand wringing about the murder hornets then nothing. No mass hornet deaths, hornets taking over towns or cities, hornets causing mass highway pile ups. It was very disappointing. 2 4 Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 24 Author Posted August 24 10 minutes ago, Jack Spade said: Murder Hornets. There was a lot of hype and hand wringing about the murder hornets then nothing. No mass hornet deaths, hornets taking over towns or cities, hornets causing mass highway pile ups. It was very disappointing. Uhm... Okay.... I, uh, meant SASS related things. So, in that case.... Oh, I know! Winchester once marketed a version of the 92 that the called the Stinger! So, Murder Hornets ARE SASS related. I guess... 1 Quote
Jack Spade Posted August 24 Posted August 24 I was just yankin' your chain. I thought it was funny! I haven't been shooting SASS long enough to see many things hyped yet. Quote
Arth Ritis Posted August 24 Posted August 24 I fear the Volcanic reproductions won't be allowed and are quite unlikely to be competitive so will fizzle out. 1 Quote
El Sobrante Kid Posted August 24 Posted August 24 There was a company, at least 10 or more years ago, that was going to make a reproduction of the Merwin & Hulbert revolver. It was going to retail somewhere in the mid $2000 range. The hype lasted up to the point that the company was talking about (or actually taking) deposits. I don't recall what happened to that project, other than it disappeared. Quote
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted August 24 Posted August 24 The Pioneer Hammer Double qualifies. Wonderful shotgun Heavy, 18" barrels, great feel But, when it was introduced, it was very pricey Most Cowboys just didn't want to spend the coin. I love mine, but I love my TTNs too! In fact, I've never met a hammergun that I did not love. But, they faded away into SASS history --Dawg 2 Quote
Frontier Lone Rider Posted August 24 Posted August 24 19 minutes ago, Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 said: In fact, I've never met a hammer gun that I did not love. But, they faded away into SASS history --Dawg Dawg does like the hammered shotguns, I have sold him two. Quote
Stump Water Posted August 24 Posted August 24 Hartford Armory 1875 revolvers. https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/a-remington-resurfaces/ 1 Quote
Tall John Posted August 24 Posted August 24 In a sport made up of mostly old grey hairs that are tighter and sharper than a new barbed wire fence, it’s hard to beat “tried & true” Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 24 Author Posted August 24 2 hours ago, Arth Ritis said: I fear the Volcanic reproductions won't be allowed and are quite unlikely to be competitive so will fizzle out. I fear you are correct, Arth. The not competitive part is what it is, but SASS not allowing it will shut off much of the market for it. Too bad. I'd not be surprised to hear that Uberti is considering a Volcanic rifle, but waiting to see how the pistols do first. I'd be a shame if the pistol fails and therefore the rifle doesn't happen. For the record, I will get one. Don't care if it's not competitive, I'll use it if allowed to do so. Right alongside one of my Mare's Legs. 1 Quote
July Smith Posted August 24 Posted August 24 Something that didn't live up to the hype for me were the CMP 1911s. I was super hyped to hear they would be selling off the surplus 1911s, but then I saw the prices and the fact that you still had to go through an FFL I lost interest. Quote
Cotton Eye Joe Posted August 24 Posted August 24 3 hours ago, Stump Water said: Hartford Armory 1875 revolvers. https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/a-remington-resurfaces/ I was gonna say the Hartford Armory 1890 lol. But I'm not sure there even was any hype back then. Of course, I was only 11 years old when they were making them so I mighta missed it... Quote
Cholla Posted August 24 Posted August 24 5 hours ago, Jack Spade said: Murder Hornets. There was a lot of hype and hand wringing about the murder hornets then nothing. No mass hornet deaths, hornets taking over towns or cities, hornets causing mass highway pile ups. It was very disappointing. That would make a great alias. Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 24 Posted August 24 S&W Schofields, they were well made but very pricey. I don’t think they sold many. I know a cowboy that has a pair that he never shot. I’m not talking Uberti’s or Berettas I mean the REAL S&W Schofiields. 1 Quote
Rip Snorter Posted August 24 Posted August 24 Bought one early on - awful at the range, neither reliable or accurate. Had even made a template holster. The shop claimed I had abused it! Less than a box of rounds. I finally got a gun via credit - couldn't get my money back. I would still like to own a workable one. I believe the issues in the Old West were both cost of the gun and difficulty of repair - high tech for the day! SAA was simpler! 1 Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 45 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said: Bought one early on - awful at the range, neither reliable or accurate. Had even made a template holster. The shop claimed I had abused it! Less than a box of rounds. I finally got a gun via credit - couldn't get my money back. I would still like to own a workable one. I believe the issues in the Old West were both cost of the gun and difficulty of repair - high tech for the day! SAA was simpler! In the old west there was also the issue of ammo. .45 Schofield vs .45 Colt. SAA’s could use the Schofield ammo but not visa versa. Quote
Rip Snorter Posted August 25 Posted August 25 20 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: In the old west there was also the issue of ammo. .45 Schofield vs .45 Colt. SAA’s could use the Schofield ammo but not visa versa. The Schofield was U.S. Military issue, named after the officer who made changes to the original design. Though in relatively modest numbers, I have a hard time imagining that availability of Mil Spec Ammo was an issue even back then. Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 25 Author Posted August 25 CMP 1911's. The price didn't bother me. I still want one. But they won't sell them to people in Massachusetts. I REALLY wanted one of those "Range Grade" ones that were described as having various modifications. They sounded interesting. Sadly, sold out, and still get get 'em in Massachusetts anyway. S&W Schofields. I have one. They are great guns. I shot a clean match with one in my left hand and an Uberti one in my right. But, ironically, the Italian replicas are more "authentic" reproductions than the ones made by S&W were. I think those changes, more than the price, did more to hurt sales. Uberti Burgess. Yeah, I remember a lot of talk about that. Most of it centered around how accurate it was/wasn't compared to the originals. I did get one. and I think it's a pretty decent rifle, but it did fade away pretty quick. Not sure why. Quote
Shooting Bull Posted August 25 Posted August 25 7 hours ago, Dantankerous said: Tin Star powder. And that’s a crying shame. I won three bottles of it at EOT. It was fantastic powder. Quote
watab kid Posted August 25 Posted August 25 12 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said: Uhm... Okay.... I, uh, meant SASS related things. So, in that case.... Oh, I know! Winchester once marketed a version of the 92 that the called the Stinger! So, Murder Hornets ARE SASS related. I guess... oh crud , i was going to mention pet rocks - they were never as friendly as a dog or cat but then they did come in handy when the antis were marching in the streets , but i didnt have a lawn to protect back then or i might have considered other implements of destruction and dispersal Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 10 hours ago, Rip Snorter said: The Schofield was U.S. Military issue, named after the officer who made changes to the original design. Though in relatively modest numbers, I have a hard time imagining that availability of Mil Spec Ammo was an issue even back then. I had read once that a shipment of .45 Colt was shipped to a Fort and some of the soldiers had Schofields. They had to reorder the correct rounds. I believe it was the cavalry division that was using the Schofields in this instance. 1 Quote
Rip Snorter Posted August 25 Posted August 25 2 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: I had read once that a shipment of .45 Colt was shipped to a Fort and some of the soldiers had Schofields. They had to reorder the correct rounds. I believe it was the cavalry division that was using the Schofields in this instance. If I recall, the design was primarily intended for cavalry. Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said: If I recall, the design was primarily intended for cavalry. Yes easier to load and reload on horseback. Makes sense! I believe it was Major Schofield who changed the design of the latch to make it easier to open. Edited August 25 by Rye Miles #13621 Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 Wesson Model 3 revolver. On the original S&W Model 3 design, the latch was mounted on the barrel extension above the top strap, requiring two hands to unlatch and break open the revolver. Major Schofield modified this mechanism and received U.S. Patent 116,225 in June 1871 for key improvements: Frame-Mounted Placement: He moved the catch from the barrel onto the frame. This allowed a right-handed cavalry trooper to depress the latch using only their thumb while holding the grip. One-Handed Operation: By depressing the latch with the thumb and pushing the barrel down against a leg or saddle, troopers could open the action and eject empty cartridges with one hand while keeping control of their horse's reins with the other. Integrated Safety: The redesigned latch pushed the hammer back into a quarter-cock safety position automatically as the action opened. Because of these military-focused design modifications, Smith & Wesson adapted the Model 3 to produce the S&W Model 3 Schofield, paying Major Schofield a royalty for his patented latch mechanism on each gun produced. Quote
Snakebite Dust SASS 75484 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 The hype that Goex was going to start production and it would be readily available again. Has not happened yet 2 Quote
Go West Posted August 25 Posted August 25 There was a gun treatment years back that was spendy at the time. You would dunk your pistol in the bucket and it was supposed to treat the metal that would allow for easier cleaning. I don't recall the name and a bunch of folks jumped on the bandwagon. I haven't heard a peep about it in a long time. Anyone recall the name? You don't have to admit you bought it. Quote
El Sobrante Kid Posted August 25 Posted August 25 44 minutes ago, Go West said: There was a gun treatment years back that was spendy at the time. You would dunk your pistol in the bucket and it was supposed to treat the metal that would allow for easier cleaning. I don't recall the name and a bunch of folks jumped on the bandwagon. I haven't heard a peep about it in a long time. Anyone recall the name? You don't have to admit you bought it. I believe that was "Frog Lube". It created quite a stir, along with countless internet forum arguments. Quote
Arth Ritis Posted August 25 Posted August 25 Frog lube still sells a line of cleaning products I believe? Seen them used not tried them myself. Quote
Cholla Posted August 25 Posted August 25 WOW chips. Remember them? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lay's_Wow_chips How about Slick 50 engine treatment? Quote
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 One of the most hyped and feared things was Y2K in my recent memory. When I was in second grade, it was the Cuban missile crisis. Horace 2 Quote
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 25 Posted August 25 7 minutes ago, Cholla said: WOW chips. Remember them? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lay's_Wow_chips How about Slick 50 engine treatment? I never used slick 50 but I knew a guy that sold it. I never tried those WOW chips either, thank goodness. Horace 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.