Slitting a Bullet on an Axe Blade

[Tame Bill]

Pards,

I am need of some help; I am doing research pertaining to Exhibition Shooting. There are a number of oral histories about splitting bullets on the blade of an axe and striking two targets. I can not locate any written historical data to confirm that this feat was actually accomplished and by whom. If anyone knows of a book, website, magazine article or any credible source I would appreciate the information. Thanks. TB

[RattlesnakeJack]

Well, if you are just wondering whether it can actually be done (as opposed to specific historical documentation that it was actually performed as a feat in old-time shooting demonstrations) I know for a fact that it is a common "fun event" in present-day black powder shooting, and have often done it myself.  Similar shooting feats include cutting a taut string with a rifle ball .... or splitting a playing card standing edgewise to the shooter .... or snuffing a candle flame without touching the candle ...

Well, it  may be more accurate to say that I've attempted such feats often, but actually accomplished them somewhat less often!     Seriously though, as you may be aware, such "fun events" are usually set up on a "miss-and-out" elimination basis - every entrant gets a first try - only those who actually do it proceed to a second round ... and so on.   Have seen such eliminations proceed through numerous rounds before a final winner emerges.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Tame Bill,
You may want to send a PM to Terry Lane. He is the official Nebraska Buffalo Bill Cody impersonator. He probably has documentation of it being done in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West".

Slim

[Books OToole]

My favorite requires a rooster tethered by a leg and staked out at 200 yards.  The shooters then attemp to clip tail feathers.  If you hit the chicken you lose.

Alas my documentation is from a novel.

Books

[Delmonico]

One thought, I would think it would be easier with a round ball out of a slow twist muzzle-loader than an elongated bullet out of a firearm with a much faster twist.

[Hill Beachy]

Tame Bill:

I'll give you the documentation if you are willing to hold the axe...

I'm guessing that this is something you're trying to work into the PoP match?  (For the rest of the group:  the Prince of Pistoleers match uses targets and scenarios meant to replicate actual shooting feats).

[Tame Bill]

HB:

Ol Pard, I'll pass on holding the axe during a demonstration of your bullet splitting pistol prowess.  I need to find some documentation as I am doing the research for a History Channel documentary.

TB

[Troublesome River]

I did see on an old video about TV westerns of the '50s and '60s that trick shooter Rob Redwing, who also did shooting stunts and trained some of the stars, split a bullet from a .22 rifle on a hatchet blade and break 2 plates placed on either side of the hatchet head.- TroublesomeR

[Grizzle Bear]

While I do agree that this is possible, and in fact I have done it, I think you will find that any of the old-time professional shooters, who had to do it every time in fact used a load of fine shot to break the targets.  Same with shooting at glass balls thrown in the air.

(Once upon a time in my youth, I progressed to the point where I could regularly hit flying clay birds with a .22 automatic pistol.  I couldn't tell you how many tens of thousands of rounds I expended to reach that level of proficiency.)

Grizzle Bear

[Chance]

Hi, Bill
I believe Ed McGivern is credited with this feat so you may find reference to it in his book which I think is called 'Fast and Fancy Shooting' (or something very close!).

I still enjoy telling folks over here about my visit with you last October. Great buch of guys - and gals.

[Cyrille]

Davy Crockett did it! read his autobiagophy!!! used a round ball outta ole Betsy if I member correctly! 

[Joe4d]

It's a trick, you hang two clay's or two balloons on a metal or stone surface, put the axe between  you and the targets draw and shoot aiming for the space in between the targets, lead splatter will break both.

[Cyrille]

I'm disallusiomed; Fess (Davy Crockett) Parker pulled a trick  My my another 'hero' bit the dust

[RattlesnakeJack]

It's a trick, you hang two clay's or two balloons on a metal or stone surface, put the axe between  you and the targets draw and shoot aiming for the space in between the targets, lead splatter will break both.

On the contrary!  I have frequently participated in "bullet splitting" events, the axe blade being mounted into the grain end of a log, with a sheet of paper centered behind it - no score unless at least one fragment of the ball penetrates the paper on either side. Frequently, the the projectile has quite clearly been evenly split.  I have succeeded in performing the feat several times, and have also seen it done many times by others.

Similar tests of marksmanship, regularly included in black powder shoots, involve splitting a playing card mounted edgewise to the shooter and cutting a taut string.  Take heart, Cyrille!   There are lots of marksmen who can do it, and your Hero - or at least his original namesake - was probably better than most!   

The organizers of our local CAS events being mostly old BP shooters (myself included),we take great delight in incorporating string-cuts and such into the odd scenario at our shoots. The dismay expressed by many shooters,  when first faced with the challenge, is exceeded only by their amazement when they see how many shooters succeed!   

[Cyrille]

Thanks Rattlesnake Jac:
   One must have faith in one's heros musn't one? You have restored my belief in history and humanity

[Marshal harpoluke]

It's a trick, you hang two clay's or two balloons on a metal or stone surface, put the axe between  you and the targets draw and shoot aiming for the space in between the targets, lead splatter will break both.

The FBI used to do it as  a demonstration. seen it done more than once.

[tarheel mac]

Yep...I've seen it done at serveral re-enactments at one time or another...never done it myself though..but it is regularly...

[Silver Creek Slim]

At the last match at the club, one stage was setup with an axe and two clay pigeons on either side of it. One person on our posse hit both clays. 

Slim

[Col. Riddles]

Just watched Bill Oglesby of Ogelsby & Ogelsby do it last week on the History Cahnnels program "Shootout" about shootists of the old west. It set out to prove or disprove the stories of the shooting prowess of such notables as Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakly, JW Hardin and Wild Bill. Watch for a rewturn of the show. Well worth the two hours.

[Hill Beachy]

And I might add, our own Tame Bill was on there as one of the "historical experts" discussing this and other shooting feats.