hesitated before using the term, but i have a couple of friends with eastern european roots who use it - without any cant that i am aware of - certainly no insult was intended.
central texas hill country has strong heritage from german, czech and austro-hungarian sources, with good beer, good sausage (and strong ties to texas bar-b-que), and numerous S.P.J.S.T lodges.
the 1880's gun in question is from a time when there were similiarities between guns/gunsmiths/traditions throughout the region.
now back to the gun....
