GAF Muster 2009 Report

[Texas Lawdog]

Col. Drydock, I hope I can get a Krag by next year. I have sorta give up on the other one surfacing and returning back to Boggs Creek. I need to call them this week to see if they have any news. My two revolvers that were shipped from Florida on the 21st have not arrived either. Not a very good batting average so far. I look forward to next year's Muster, just no snow.

[Drydock]

I'm sure sorry to hear that.  Well, at least its in Texas next year, and I'll bet the Texican contigent gins up a local match or two between now and then as well.  Dang good folks there, good, ah, storytellers fer sure.

  I'll keep checking around myself, it sure was a nice rifle.

[Drydock]

Well, we're all waiting for pictures I'm sure, but I want to off a personal observation:  By my count, the most numerous rifle at this years muster was the Trapdoor Springfield.  2nd in number was the Krag.  3rd were the various lever actions.  To my knowledge thats the first time the Milspecs have outnumbered the Cowboy guns in class.  A real departure from the SASS matchs we most all started with.  It was a treat to watch, and bodes well for the future I have to believe.

Other rifles I saw on the line at the 2009 Muster:

-an M1891 Argentine Mauser
-An M1862 Spencer Rifle
-an M1895 Winchester .30-40 Carbine
-A Rolling Block
-A Sharps Carbine
-A Magazine Lee Enfield (MLE)
-the Legendary steel killing Martini-Henri of Rattlesnake Jack


Not to mention the various handguns, Colt SAAs of course, but Schofields, New Armys, Webleys, Enfields, and a lot of neat stuff that came out at night in the barracks.

[River City John]

Yes, it was a great shoot, although a challenge to keep warm and dry at times.

On our squad alone we saw represented:
Henry
1866 Yellowboy Improved Henry
1873 Winchester
1895 Winchester (in .30-40 no less!)
Spencer rifle
Martini-Henry .577
Rolling block carbine
Trapdoor carbine
Trapdoor rifle
Sharps carbine
Krag (several)
Argentine Mauser

this variety is just one of the many things I like about the GAF. And the sidearms were just as varied. All in all considering the weather, people shot well. Although it was sometimes slow getting those reloads done fumbling with numb fingers in the cartridge box when you weren't quite sure you had actually grabbed onto a cartridge until you could visually inspect to see if it was between your fingers. We kidded Rattlesnake Jack by volunteering to carry his Martini-Henry after he shot. Ten or so expended BP rounds of .577 M-H warms up a barrel nicely.

My personal thanks to Dusty Tagalong and Shalako Al for transporting my carcass to and from the range over the three days.

It was something to see all the uniforms within the setting of Ft. Hartsuff. Of course I forgot my camera, so I'm going to have to rely on the kindness of others to post pictures.

Everyone took home multiple prizes. Jerry will be on to eventually record the awards.
We had people from Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri and of course, Canada.
There may have been other states represented, but I was just not made aware of it.

Again, great time. It was the largest group of this nature ever to be billeted in the Enlisted Barracks at Ft. Hartsuff, so we established a record.

RCJ

p.s. I see Drydock posted ahead of me the same listing and observation,- I had forgotten about the Lee-Enfield.

[Drydock]

Look in the backround of Capt. Macks video. Its great!  And typical of the Grand Muster. Theres several decades of blue US Army uniforms, A well chilled Confderate, an 1890s Marine, our rather north of the border Argentinian, and some poor fellow who got really lost on his way to Cuba . . .

[Delmonico]

Well, got some more done, a shot on the way up on Highway 11:



Got there about dark and unloaded, this was the view:





I lit a lantern, and went to work on a hunk of corned beef and some coffee:







Rain in the night dampened things:



But was got going again right after daylight:





After finishing cooking with cabbage and tators it was good:



Salt Crick Rick watching the gravy for supper:



Troops kept showing up, some in civies:





The fire was kept going in to guide in late arrivals:



Morning was chilly:





But the work in the kitchen went on:









Evening after supper found the troops pretty much staying in the barracks because of cold weather:









Checking a fancy weather device it was decided that it might be gettin' white outside:



New device was accurate:



Breakfast was a bit late, but was sausage and scambled eggs and bacon to fuel the troops well for the cold, despite an accident where several eggs were lost, and more had to be cracked:





Rick prepared the noon bacon and beans:



The kitchen became a sloppy mess:



But dinner was ready for the troops when the returned:



Five dutch ovens were filled with roast and veggies for supper:



And the sundown was great:



The troops retired to the barracks after supper for prizes:















Because of tactial planning in the barrarks till the wee hours of the morning, the cooks slept a bit late and instead of hash, the pot roast was rewarmed for breakfast, and the noon meal started, which because of the cold required the lard and flour to be warmed a bit:





Salt Crick Rick cleaned some of the gear before leaving:



Despite the weather looking bad, the commissary dept was able to make it home with just a bit of ice stuck to the side of the wagon:



A very fun trip.

[Leo Tanner]

Great pictures Del.  Mebbe next year you'll get to make yer bubble an squeak.

[Bow View Haymaker]

Awsome pictures.
Thank you

[Delmonico]

Awsome pictures.
Thank you

I still have yer coffee pot, let me know when yer gonna be to town, fire ring was a big help and the extra pot worked out good also.

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

And a great time was had by all. Was delighted to receive the Grand Muster Challenge Silver Plate for the Division of Missouri. How was that Windy City Joe? A great big "Well done." goes to the members of our Division: Sgt Drydock, Windy City Joe, Pony Express and Capt. Montgomery Little. With awards for Iron Trooper (Sgt Drydock), various 1st-3rd place positions in side shooting events and 1st thru 3rd in unifrom competition, the points mounted up and we are proud to have the "Plate" in our possession.
It will be at the MO State Shoot at Branson, MO, Oct 22-25 and the NCOWS Convention in March 2010 as a recruiting tool. If you are going to be there, shoot in uniform and come visit the Gripmaker tent to see it and here more about the Muster.

[Charles Isaac]

All I can say is WOW! What a time it was out there living at historical Fort Hartsuff and seeing all that fine shooting.

A few instances I witnessed are the 211 yard pistol shot with a 7 1/2" SAA executed by Capt "Gripmaker" Little. Texas Sarge with Scooters H&R M1873 trapdoor carbine and M.T. Brass with an M1873 Winchester got dialed in and each made two hits on the 211 yard target.

I was left in a state of shock when Dalton Masterson swept clean the final set of pistol targets with a black powder loaded single action-ONE HANDED RAPID FIRE! It was like something they do in a Clint Eastwood western with trick photography and sound effects! Absolutely amazing, thumb bustin' at it's finest.

I cut my hand and Salt Crick Rick, a former Navy Corpsman, rendered immediate first aid. Some things never change, like the Docs helping Marines.

I think the cooks, Del and Salt Crick Rick, were the hardest workers out there, providing delicious and authentic chow that thickened my blood- thinned from years of living in the South. The cold probably would have done me in if not for them.

A special thanks to River City John for recruiting me and also to Ned Neiderlander for advice on hand position on the bolt handle of the Krag. My fingers sometimes hit the magazine in rapid fire until Ned provided me with expert advice on bolt handle grip some months back.

And once again, congratulations to the 2009 Iron Trooper, Col. Drydock and thanks for all the quick answers on GAF weapons.

It was pleasantly surprising that people were so friendly and quick to talk to me, treating me as a part of this great organization, me being a new guy and all.

[Drydock]

It was an absolute pleasure to watch Charles Isaac work that Krag.  Now I  might do a few other things things just fast enough to stay with him, (for now) but I don't think there's a better man with a Krag Jorgenson in his hands, than Charles Isaac USMC. 

[Dusty Tagalon]

Lets see if I can manage to paste the scores.
Alias                    GAF#      State   FinalTime
Scout, Smokless
Sparky Black   999002   NE   478.07
Scruffy Skippy   999003   NE   516.69
Capt. D. C. Case   999000   MN   617.49
Cactus Rope    475            IL     1041.6
Wolf   999001                    NE   2357.3
         
Scout, Black Powder
M.T. Brass             721        NE   333.41
Dalton Masterson     477          NE   514.24
         
Milspec Single Shot, Smokless Powder
Cherry Lake Jake   471          MN   711.49
Capt. Mack             655          TX   994.72
Pitspitr             147           NE   1034.9
Kit Peak Kid     493     SD   1054.8
Windy City Joe     621    MO   1333.8
         
Milspec Single Shot, Black Powder
Texas Sarge      442   TX   854.56
Rattlesnake Jack     320   Alberta    960.54
River City John      275   NE   1130.3
         
Milspec Repeating Rifle, Smokless
Lt. Col. Drydock        19       MO   443.22
Charles Isaac      660   NC   455.63
Col. Diamond      326   KS   628.64
Pony Express      713   MO   723.66
Shalako Al              348   IA   923.54
Scooter              445   TX   958.01
Ned Neiderlander      449   NE   2340.1
         
Milspec Repeating Rifle, BP
Curly LaGrande      490   MN   1028.5
         
Militia
Shamrock              448   IL   2674.4
         
Lady Milspec Repeating Rifle, Smokless
Cherry Lake Kate    489   MN   921.79
         
Infantry
Dusty Tagalon        74   IA   361.53
         
Bufflao Scout
Kanza Kurt              476   NE   1367.4
         
Staff Officer
Capt. Montgomery Little  346   MO   884.07

[scooter]

Thanks to all for a great Muster and providing the snow.  Congrats. to all the winners. We are excited to host the Muster in TEXAS next year and are looking forward to some exciting stages.     By the way.......Rattlesnake Jack.....I have your Cape.   I will send it to you if you give me a mailing address.   So long till we meet in TEXAS next year.

[Kit Peak]

Hi-South Dakota was present and accounted for as well.

[captmack]

Yep, and I already miss that NE weather.  It's 96 deg back home in CenTX today.

Mack

[pony express]

.
It will be at the MO State Shoot at Branson, MO, Oct 22-25 and the NCOWS Convention in March 2010 as a recruiting tool. If you are going to be there, shoot in uniform and come visit the Gripmaker tent to see it and here more about the Muster.

If you can get away one more weekend, bring it up to C.O.W.S.' Hanging Tree Shootout this Sunday!

[Drydock]

Gonna be there Pony?  I'll be coming, Fingers has approved the GAF class for Hanging Tree this year!  Bring the Krag an we'll have us a match!

[Capt. JEB Forrest]

I was wondering about the stages.

Does the GAF have recommended distances for the tagets? What was used at the Muster?

How many stages, and what was the pistol/ rifle round count?

Garry Owen!

[Niederlander]

Any more pictures?  I regret to say I didn't get any!