Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
Ben said
The rifle fits the case rather nicely… just discovered that it needs the right side screw for the slide… something more to scrounge for. Yes Clarence…. I’ve jumped in with both feet on this on… and I still don’t own it…yet.
Might need a piece of foam or a length of pipe insulation in between those halves for jiggle proofing.
Good point… re: separation protection… while the case has heavy foam under the crushed velvet on both sides, and when closed “compresses” down, better safe than sorry. I’ll get a piece of black foam tube… potential issue negated.
Ben said
The rifle fits the case rather nicely… just discovered that it needs the right side screw for the slide… something more to scrounge for. Yes Clarence…. I’ve jumped in with both feet on this on… and I still don’t own it…yet.
Have you received the bio yet? Curious if there’s ANY factual basis for that “shooting up the town” incident in the TV production. Eddie Eagle would not be amused if there is.
The book, “The Life and Ride of Two-Gun Nan Aspinwall” actually does address the town shooting incident. The town was Mitchell, Colorado. The incident was also written up in the New York Times article dated July 9, 1910. The book speaks to the possibility of the story being “exaggerated” over the years. It was also stated that she spent time in a hospital after her horse lost it’s footing going down an embankment… and also verified that she was assisted by a railroad crew…
Ben said
Good point… re: separation protection… while the case has heavy foam under the crushed velvet on both sides, and when closed “compresses” down, better safe than sorry. I’ll get a piece of black foam tube… potential issue negated.
Looks like this whole project is coming together nicely though…a lot of fortuitous happenings! I can’t remember from the previous posts, but if you have a table I’ll come by to see it at Cody!
I have 4 tables… a couple rows from the back corner by the load in door. Please introduce yourself… looking forward to seeing everyone there. Ben
Ben said
The folks at the museum would prefer that I show the rifle to them at the show… so that’s what I’ll do. Since “Two Gun Nan’s” story was the subject of a Death Valley Day’s episode (season 6 ep. 18) I downloaded an app to watch it on my tv… it was interesting. The opening showed Nan firing her pistols towards the camera… not something we see these days. Her cross country journey was the story, including her getting robbed in NY City. The ending had Nan in person talking to the shows host. She was wearing a medal… couldn’t make it out. They talked about her life and had her do a staged trick shot with a single action… of course she hit the target. She was an amazing person.
Looks like she’s wearing the same medal (along with 4 others) in this pic. My sense is that it’s a “Sharpshooter” medal, if I look hard enough (Pareidolia?) can see crossed rifles on the lower part of the medal.
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
Tedk said
Looks like she’s wearing the same medal (along with 4 others) in this pic. My sense is that it’s a “Sharpshooter” medal, if I look hard enough (Pareidolia?) can see crossed rifles on the lower part of the medal.
There are THOUSANDS of diff ones, the best solid gold (most of them now lost, melted down when gold prices soared), as every diff shooting club, match promoter, etc, wanted their own distinctive award. Nan’s display is very modest, compared to photos of Schuetzen champions, with their torsos literally covered with them from shoulder blades to below the belt line.
Got the poster book today… going through the pages, using the information provided, using poster publication dates (1908-1912) timeframe for when Nan was known to be part of Buffalo Bill’s show. There are three period posters in the book showing a woman, the book however, referred to her as “unidentified”. Pure speculation on my part, but my conclusion is that the woman depicted has to be Nan. My reasoning is that she was the highest paid performer during that period and was often referred to as a “lariat expert” (prior to being called “Two Gun Nan) along with her husband, Frank Gable, who was known for his riding expertise. I also see a strong resemblance between the woman in these posters and actual period photographs of Nan. I’m going to have color copies made of the posters and have them with the gun at Cody. Still “digging” for more information…
The common denominator in the three posters is the scarf that the cowgirl is wearing. I’d try to find a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show photo of Nan wearing a similar scarf when performing. I did find this related BB photo.
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
The common denominator in the three posters is the scarf that the cowgirl is wearing.Tedk said
Not only the cowgirl; every one of the cowboys, too, in the broncho-busters scene! Part of the standard Western regalia.
From what I’ve read, the Perry twins joined Buffalo Bill after 1912… so that eliminates one of them from possibly being the “unknown woman”… my money is still on Nan. 🙂
No idea about timelines, but there are numerous sources that indicate the Parry Sisters began their careers with the Buffalo Bill Wild West show in 1906/1907
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
When I get to Cody, I’m sure they will have definitive information… still can’t imagine if they were going to use a female likeness, that it wouldn’t be Nan during that timeframe (highest paid performer & cross country ride notoriety)… maybe I’m letting my “wishful” thinking get in the way…
April 2025 Update: Nan’s rifle displayed on my mantel at home…. I am still looking for the inner magazine tube for this special piece. Please let me know if you might have one that will fit… I will gladly purchase or trade one of the 4 I’ve tried so far, they have all been about 1/8″ too long… I will have a “One Gun” display at Cody featuring this rifle. It’s not perfect, but it has some great history. I asked & received permission to use one of the published stories of her cross country ride… also, still trying to find any pics / copies of Buffalo Bill posters with her being illustrated & identified. Only 78 days till the Cody show… yes, I’m counting down. 🙂
Ben said
April 2025 Update: Nan’s rifle displayed on my mantel at home…. I am still looking for the inner magazine tube for this special piece. Please let me know if you might have one that will fit… I will gladly purchase or trade one of the 4 I’ve tried so far, they have all been about 1/8″ too long… I will have a “One Gun” display at Cody featuring this rifle. It’s not perfect, but it has some great history. I asked & received permission to use one of the published stories of her cross country ride… also, still trying to find any pics / copies of Buffalo Bill posters with her being illustrated & identified. Only 78 days till the Cody show… yes, I’m counting down. 🙂
Congratulations Ben!! An outstanding example of “Wild West” history. What a fantastic save!!
Ben,
What is the exact length (total overall length) of the magazine tube that you’re looking for?
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
Right now my other magazine tubes are in storage…. here are a couple pics of the exterior points of reference… the mag tube to the receiver is 17 5/8″… I will try one of the other tubes and take measurements on Saturday.
I put Hoppies on the presentation plate and waited overnight, this morning, I used a micro-fiber cloth and it almost wiped clean. The dried oil & crud came off the receiver too… I know some will cringe… but it’s done. And I’m very happy with the outcome…
Here’s the before:
Here’s the “after”…. 
2 Guest(s)
