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Okay. Let's start with a riddle. Ready? fill in the blanks and tell me the name of the man to whom this little saying refers:
God created man ... Blank Blank made them equal.
For those who don't know ... I'll tell you later.
For now ... may I add some famous names in column one ... and the weapons they used in column two. The list is mixed and the guns mismatched. You can match protagonist and guns yourselves. You can email me for the answer whenever you want.
Column one Column two
Shell Scott .38 Police Dirty Harry 2-45 Automatics Lone Ranger Cold Woodsman Napoleon Solo .38 Colt Special The Shadow Luger Special "S" Matt Helm 2-Colt 45 Dick Tracy Colt 44 Magnum (Model 29)
And the answer to the above saying is:
God created man ... Sam Colt made them equal.
Did I mention I have a Diamond and Black Onyx and Ruby and Sapphire Brooch in the shape of a pistol? This for those of you who might be wondering from whence I got this theme. It's worth about $1000. They don't tell me who made it. They don't tell me the weight of the diamonds. Essentially ... the don't tell me nuthin'.
In 1830, when he was 16 years old, Samuel Colt carved a model of a single-barrelled pistol with automatically revolving chambers. By the beginning of the Civil War, the Colt revolver was the standard small arms of the world.
So many guns became popular it is a wonder to me that jewelers did not make more models to commemorate such famous names as Deringer, and Luger, and the Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum-- touted as the most powerful handgun in the world.
The history and lore of guns is fascinating ... this from one who thinks guns kill people and people who kill people would not be able to kill so easily were it not for guns ... Charlton Heston aside. Methinks he should have stuck to walking on water and parting the Red Sea. But that's me.
Quick ... what most famous and colorful figures in American folklore used Deringers as guns of choice? He was the most sophisticated and sublty brutal man in the West. He took your diamonds ... he took your jewels ... he took your money ... and he took your land. He was the Riverboat Gambler. He dressed to the nines ... and he carried a Deringer. Quick Tidbits. Deringer was made by Henry Deringer. derringer ... with double "r" and small "d" was a copy of the Deringer and made by another company. So ... for you gun owners ... do you have a Deringer ... or do you have a derringer?
In the meantime ... take a look at the diamond Pistol Brooch. And ask yourselves why they don't make more. A .357 Magnum for me sir ... thank you very much.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits...may I direct you to my home page at
And there ya have it. That's it for this week folks. Catch you all next week. Benjamin Mark
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