doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Do you really want to know?

Gussler was my second guess. But this illustrates another point. NOT telling the full story leaves room for incorrect stories to be applied to the wrong people.

I see this quite a bit in the world of anonymously refereed academic publishing and it causes a lot of misplaced animosity. In the end, I pretty much despise secrets and anonymity in general. The entire and truthful story leaves less room for untruths to be saddled on the wrong horse.

It is a pet peave of mine, this failure to be complete and tell the story, the whole story....

Brent

Michael,

It is a very tough question. I do not have nearly the breadth or experience that you do. I have come across information that is provocative. I often ask myself the same question. However, it sometimes is also what drives the research. Why did part of the family immigrate? Why does a wife appear, disappear and reappear in the census tracts? Certainly, no article or interest from collectors in those matters. However, for myself, it helps to humanize, give multiple dimensions and sometimes some insight. Whether to publish the information is a very tough call.

I know the bottle is often involved. I have refrained from touching that one openly. I also have heard that many 19th century gunsmith's died of TB. I have yet to confirm that, but it does raise questions in my mind.

Pete

A man is not diminished when the truth is told about him, a man is diminished when noone knows the truth about him! I believe knowing the personality of these men, just add to the joy of owning one of their rifles. Tell us those things that add to the picture of the personalities of these men and you'll be fine. Warmest Regards Jerry

Brent,

None of that crossed my mind, when writing. In my parochial world, the person's name seemed secondary to the story. Nor did it appear to be such an event, that I'd need ask the fellow's permission to relate it in public print. However, if someone asked as you did, I see no harm in it, in this instance.

On the other hand,I value my privacy and loath the low stature of those who make a practice of manufacturing inaccurate, speculative gossip. Just a quirk of mine. At least we can all pretty much rule out that Wallace will be buried in a black negligee, eh?

I think we can learn too much about those we hold in high reguard. As a boy, I revered the writings of several gun writers but later in life learned from those who had known them they were: a) a faker, b) an egotistical pain in the ass with no reguard for anyone but himself and c) a thief. I can no longer enjoy the writings of any of them. I don't feel this knowledge of any of them enhanced my life in any way and wish I hadn't learned it. Revealing all the warts between someones toes isn't necessary to help us understand the artistry of their work.
Just my opinion and worth every cent it cost.
Cary

"My outlook has been don’t write anything about someone I would not want written about myself."

Michael,
That says much about your character. Still, I would like to see the interview made available at some point.

I remain amazed at the wonderful guns that these men made while battling their own demons. We are all only human.
Regards, Ron

Cary, how about telling us the names of the three gun writers you described.

Between the two of them, Gusler and Bivens, what they don't know about American Longrifles and early southern decorative arts isn't worth knowing. I used to talk with John every once in a while, we were only 45 minutes apart, but wish I had visited a lot more often.

Some interesting observations and I thank you all for them, lots for me to think about.


Shelhamer;
When Tom Shelhamer’s young daughter Alice had her tonsils out the doctor cut her vocal cords. Tom searched the USA for a doctor who could repair the cords which was done but she went through life with a very horse and deep voice. Alice never married and when she died she left the house and all the contents to the young man who mowed the grass. I and others worked with him trying to save the records , he got bored with that and his brother has them now and someday I hope that anyone who has a Shelhamer rifle can get a copy of the record for that rifle. He kept detailed records including the history of where and who he got the wood from. When Tom Shelhamer died in 1971 he was building a harp.
Owen;
When I was interviewing Bob Owen’s son on the phone I ask if his sister could help with information, Bob said that he did not think so. I then asked if his other sister might have info, he said he only had one sister. With my mouth going and my brain shut off I said “You sure do” and gave him her name, I found out later that this sister had died and no one told him. Later I found a picture of the sister who died and sent it to bob. We are friends now but I’m still embarrassed when I think about it.
Niedner;
IMO Niedner was close to a genius but he was so focused on firearms that everyday stuff kind of got in the way. A man I knew stayed for several days with Niedner and his wife, the first night the wife piled up Niedner’s dinner plate with piles of food, Niedner talked with the friend through dinner and ate everything. The next night his wife put a small piece of ham, a few peas and spoonful of sweat potatoes on his plate, he ate and talked never saying a word. One time he got a letter from a man in another state asking him what to do about the back door that had blown off the house. Niedner wrote back asking why he should care. The man wrote him that the house was Niedner’s and he was renting it from him. Niedner’s wife made arrangements with a childhood friend that if she was to die before him the friend would come take care of Adolph. She did and the friend moved to Dowagiac and lived with Niedner. Niedner was a practical joker and messed with people all the time. One time on a hunting trip the truck was stuck in the mud and one man was pouring sand on one wheel they went around the other side and Niedner had his canteen out pouring water on the other wheel.

I think it was Niedner’s friend Bill McQerry who told his new friend that his wife was hard of hearing and told his wife his friend was hard of hearing and he sat back while they yelled at one another.

Dubiel;
As an immigrant John Dubiel was very patriotic, his daughter told me he got all the kids up on the Fourth-of-July to help raise the American flag.

Mark, if you'll send an email to jpn509@msn.com I'll respond. Just don't want to throw it out there as a public condemnation.

Cary