Essay on blue collar rods and guns

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Erik F. Helm
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Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#1

Post by Erik F. Helm »

Enjoy the history and nostalgia!
http://classicangler.blogspot.com/2020/ ... -guns.html
Regards,
Erik Helm

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chsparkman
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Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#2

Post by chsparkman »

That was a good one. Reminded me of my grandpa, who hunted and fished all through the western states using those blue collar instruments. That's the reason I'm a fan of those rods and guns.
...as for us we pin our faith and fealty to the silk-wound PENTAGONAL rod cunningly yet simply devised of its FIVE subtle, individual triangular strips of cane throughout...

Holden, George Parker. (modified by me) Idyl of the Split Bamboo

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teter
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Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#3

Post by teter »

Very nice article. I, too, was reminded of my grandfather, who lived from 1892 to 1973.

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flyfishingpastor
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Location: Eastern Washington State

Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#4

Post by flyfishingpastor »

Very nice read. I enjoyed that. :)

Pat

driftless angler
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Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#5

Post by driftless angler »

Loved it!

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adkfan
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Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#6

Post by adkfan »

we enjoyed reading it, although my daughters felt a little slighted at the end!

NewUtahCaneAngler
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Location: Utah

Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#7

Post by NewUtahCaneAngler »

Erik,

I agree, that your essay spoke truth and reminded me of the "tools" of my grandfather's generation. A few decades ago, I inherited my Grandfather's LeFever Nitro Special with a broken stock and dinged 30" barrels. At the time, I was big time into collecting SXS shotguns (not Purdy, nor H&H, but I did have a nice English sidelock that I picked up for a song while in London on business).

I had the gun restocked in a higher grade walnut, converted to an English style stock, re-case colored by the late Oscar Gady, barrel dings removed and had the barreles reblued. Lastly, I had my Grandfather's signature from an old drivers license inlaid in gold on the tang of the trigger guard. It is not the best shooter of the few doubles, that I still have, but is it the most special by far.

For those here not familiar with shotguns, the Nitro Special sold for something like $15 in the late thirties, so the equivalent of a low grade Monty from the barrel for the Nitro Special.

The Nitro Special is a wall hanger that I'm happy to hang on my wall and I think of my Grandfather using this gun - in its prior state - every time I take it hunting. My guess is that this may be the most expensive Nitro Special in existence. To me, it is priceless, so it is certainly the most valuable! I wouldn't trade it for a Guillium nor a Brandin even those those would now get much more use from me. I still wonder how he broke the stock, which is how I remember it hanging in his gun rack (in the master bedroom, of all places!) When I was a child.

Please continue to share your stories Mr. Helm.

Cheers,
Joe

searun
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Re: Essay on blue collar rods and guns

#8

Post by searun »

I loved reading that. Made my day!

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