THE FIVE GUN MEME...
I was going to ignore this meme that is circling the interweb, but after reading Tam's post here I decided that today I would play along like a good little schoolyard playmate. (Normally I like to be by myself but on this one I'll join the group whether I'm invited or not.)
My 5 choices are as follows:
First on my list of 5 'Wanted' by Frank W. would be the one on the cover of the first printing of my book on the MP5 submachine gun, but it's not just a simple MP5. It was the Shah of Iran's personal MP5 and it hasn't been seen since the Iranian Revolution in 1979!
Well, actually I was told on good authority there are 2 of these guns. They are identical in every respect. Neither of them was serial numbered and no one has seen them since the Shah fled Iran. In fact, the source and origin of the negative we used for this photo is something of a mystery as it came in the mail with no return address on the envelope and no note inside, just the color negative when I was about 2/3ths through the preparation of the manuscript. I have no clue who actually sent me the 4x5 color negative, but we used it for the first cover.
A short time after the book was first published I was approached by an individual, older than myself, at a trade show who had a story about one of these guns. He knew there were two, which I found interesting because that was a little known fact. He said a group of 5 'collectors' had smuggled one of these two guns out of Iran in the early 1980's. His description of the 'plot' was quite complicated, but he insisted that one of these 2 guns was now in the states in a very 'private' collection. I have no idea if the story I was told was valid or just complete bullshit, but it was fascinating to listen to and hear his alleged 'details'. If true, however a number of felony violations were made and that fact alone would make it almost impossible to verify or prove......unless of course the gun was ever discovered and subsequent charges brought forth.
So with the premise, there are no restrictions as to legality or cost, this would be my first choice of my 5 Most Wanted Firearms.
SECOND on my list would be a factory produced example of the Smith & Wesson Model 57 or Model 657 like the pair seen below:
These are both 5" guns, but I had them made from 6" models. I've heard the factory has one or two examples with 5" barrels and I would like to have one of those, simply because I like 5" Model 57 or 657 Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum revolvers.
THIRD on my list would be one of two possibilities: the first would be one of the 12 Smith & Wesson N-frame .38/44 Heavy Duty/Outdoorsman alloy frame revolvers. They were made with either 4" or 5" barrels. I would prefer the 5" variety if possible. They reportedly are about 6 ounces lighter than their comparable N-frame equivalents.
Failing that, I will take a 1st Model S&W Hand Ejector ('THE' Triple Lock model) with a 4" or 5" barrel and dual cylinders; one in .44 Special and the other .44/40. Triple-Lock revolvers with dual cylinder actually exist, but don't look for 'em at your local gunshow. They are somewhat scarce. Of course, the 'target' sighted version would be even sweeter, but I'm not going to be picky.
FOURTH on my list would be the small frame Holland & Holland side by side shotgun with 2 sets of barrels; one in 20 gauge and the 2nd in 28 gauge for quail hunting, which is the only bird hunting I truly enjoy and can't get enough of IF I can hunt behind a 'good' dog. That to me is FUN!
FIFTH and Last on my list of Five would be a latter production Winchester Model 70 (pre-'64) Super Grade Featherweight in .308 Win. caliber. These are one of the hardest to find and among the easiest to 'fake' as essentially all you have to do is change the stock and floorplate and engine turn the bolt. Then you've got one of these, but because there were less than 1,000 made such a gun receives extreme scrutiny by the experts. (And NO, I'm not a Winchester Md. 70 expert, nor do I pretend to be one on tv.) Still, I would like one. Failing that I would take a pre-'64 Winchester Md. 70 Featherweight in .358 Win. caliber, another rare bird, but a caliber I respect.
Like many who work with guns almost on a daily basis, I based my choices on those examples that are hard to find and virtually impossible in your typical brick and mortar storefront, but these choices were made simply because they are the objects of my heart's desire...
All The Best,
Frank W. James
My 5 choices are as follows:
First on my list of 5 'Wanted' by Frank W. would be the one on the cover of the first printing of my book on the MP5 submachine gun, but it's not just a simple MP5. It was the Shah of Iran's personal MP5 and it hasn't been seen since the Iranian Revolution in 1979!
Well, actually I was told on good authority there are 2 of these guns. They are identical in every respect. Neither of them was serial numbered and no one has seen them since the Shah fled Iran. In fact, the source and origin of the negative we used for this photo is something of a mystery as it came in the mail with no return address on the envelope and no note inside, just the color negative when I was about 2/3ths through the preparation of the manuscript. I have no clue who actually sent me the 4x5 color negative, but we used it for the first cover.
A short time after the book was first published I was approached by an individual, older than myself, at a trade show who had a story about one of these guns. He knew there were two, which I found interesting because that was a little known fact. He said a group of 5 'collectors' had smuggled one of these two guns out of Iran in the early 1980's. His description of the 'plot' was quite complicated, but he insisted that one of these 2 guns was now in the states in a very 'private' collection. I have no idea if the story I was told was valid or just complete bullshit, but it was fascinating to listen to and hear his alleged 'details'. If true, however a number of felony violations were made and that fact alone would make it almost impossible to verify or prove......unless of course the gun was ever discovered and subsequent charges brought forth.
So with the premise, there are no restrictions as to legality or cost, this would be my first choice of my 5 Most Wanted Firearms.
SECOND on my list would be a factory produced example of the Smith & Wesson Model 57 or Model 657 like the pair seen below:
These are both 5" guns, but I had them made from 6" models. I've heard the factory has one or two examples with 5" barrels and I would like to have one of those, simply because I like 5" Model 57 or 657 Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum revolvers.
THIRD on my list would be one of two possibilities: the first would be one of the 12 Smith & Wesson N-frame .38/44 Heavy Duty/Outdoorsman alloy frame revolvers. They were made with either 4" or 5" barrels. I would prefer the 5" variety if possible. They reportedly are about 6 ounces lighter than their comparable N-frame equivalents.
Failing that, I will take a 1st Model S&W Hand Ejector ('THE' Triple Lock model) with a 4" or 5" barrel and dual cylinders; one in .44 Special and the other .44/40. Triple-Lock revolvers with dual cylinder actually exist, but don't look for 'em at your local gunshow. They are somewhat scarce. Of course, the 'target' sighted version would be even sweeter, but I'm not going to be picky.
FOURTH on my list would be the small frame Holland & Holland side by side shotgun with 2 sets of barrels; one in 20 gauge and the 2nd in 28 gauge for quail hunting, which is the only bird hunting I truly enjoy and can't get enough of IF I can hunt behind a 'good' dog. That to me is FUN!
FIFTH and Last on my list of Five would be a latter production Winchester Model 70 (pre-'64) Super Grade Featherweight in .308 Win. caliber. These are one of the hardest to find and among the easiest to 'fake' as essentially all you have to do is change the stock and floorplate and engine turn the bolt. Then you've got one of these, but because there were less than 1,000 made such a gun receives extreme scrutiny by the experts. (And NO, I'm not a Winchester Md. 70 expert, nor do I pretend to be one on tv.) Still, I would like one. Failing that I would take a pre-'64 Winchester Md. 70 Featherweight in .358 Win. caliber, another rare bird, but a caliber I respect.
Like many who work with guns almost on a daily basis, I based my choices on those examples that are hard to find and virtually impossible in your typical brick and mortar storefront, but these choices were made simply because they are the objects of my heart's desire...
All The Best,
Frank W. James
Labels: Amusement, Gun Writing, Guns
8 Comments:
Hey Frank,
How can we identify your #5? Is it by serial? I picked up a 70 a while back at a local Fun Show - but am not sure what I have other than a pretty straight shooting firearm, with crappy glass, and some work to be done - but all offset by a really reasonable asking price for a cosmetic beater, and a buyer who happened to have cash in hand.
I know that photos of one of the Shah's MP5 were printed in a 1970s edition of either Guns or Gun World. I recently stumbled across it while flipping through some back issues.
anon 10:26: No I don't have a serial number range for those rifles. I think that's part of the 'fake' problem...
All The Best,
Frank W. James
Dear Frank;
From Dean H. Whitaker "The Model Winchester 1937 -1964.
1978 First Printing 3,00 copies
1980 Second printing 1000 Copies, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas Texas.
Your #5 choice made from 1952 to 1960. In "limited routine production....range of serial numbers unknown."
Jeweling sometimes but not always... jeweled bolt, extractor and follower on later production rifles".
On page 13 of the book is a photo of rifle with serial number 324130
I had fun digging this up today.
Walt Rauch
I've long had all the guns I need , I'll never have all the guns I want. These games are pointless.
the mushroom
Interesting set of choices :-) And the Winchester serial number thing is a mess... AND you're right about fakes.
After looking in vain at my stacks of the other two titles, I found the Shah's MP5 in the April 1974 issue of Guns & Ammo. It was in a centerfold spread titled "Machine Pistol: Sultan Grade." This photo showed the opposite side of the MP5.
The epitome of machine pistols must certainly be this 9mm Heckler & Koch. This magnificent work is from the talented hands of Erich Boessler. Herr Boessler worked for three months on the engraving, inlaying of precious metals and jewels, as well as carving the ivory stocks. The piece was commissioned for the head of a Mid-East state, however, Herr Boessler is not at liberty to disclose either the actual recipient or the name of the country. Truly unique, this piece proves that fine gun engraving is not a lost art.
Photo credit: Foto Bebauer, Hassfurt/Main, West Germany.
Daniel: Thank you and thanks for taking the time to find the info...
All The Best,
Frank W. James
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