2004 Grand Muster photos - A Blast From The Past!

RattlesnakeJack · November 09, 2009, 05:26:12 PM

Col. Pitspitr having indicated that he has no photos from the 2004 Annual Muster, which he was unable to attend .... and there apparently being no picture thread from that first Muster (here in the Barracks at least) I am posting photos I have which were taken by my "faithful batman", Roger .... except the very first photo, from the Beecher's Island scenario, which is one of Lone Gunman's pics , I believe. (He still has some of his photos from 2004 posted online, here - http://www.lone-gunman.com/Muster/

Anyway, here they are ....

Charles Isaac · November 09, 2009, 06:50:15 PM

Great photos!

I found out about this outfit right after the '08 Muster thanks to River City John. Joined immediately and even planned my retirement so that I could attend the '09 Muster. I guess what I can't understand is all the faces that were not at the '09 Muster. How could anybody stand to miss such an event?

I see Rattlesnake is shooting an M1866 Winchester in a few photos. Never thought I'd see you with one of those short range rifles. Whats the story behind that?

Drydock · November 09, 2009, 07:08:04 PM

We all started out shooting Cowboy guns under NCOWS rules. The Battle rifle program did not really start until 2007. At the 2004 Muster, they all encouraged Jack to shoot his Martini-Henry on one stage. He proceeded to knock every rifle target flat, to the great acclaim of all who watched. With this legend ringing in my ears, I later put together a Krag and Trapdoor demonstration for the 2006 muster in Iowa. After that, we put together a rules package and class structure for Milspec weapons, and this was first used in full at the 2007 Muster. Its grown steadily since then, with the 2008 Muster around 40/60 military/cowboy, and this year the Milspec rifles outnumbered the Cowboy guns 5 to 1! You picked a good time to show up!

We lost a lot of the Kansas Cowboy shooters when the Muster made the trip to Iowa, and have been rebuilding the numbers ever since.

Modified for memory correction!

RattlesnakeJack · November 09, 2009, 08:12:27 PM

Quote from: Drydock on November 09, 2009, 07:08:04 PM..... At the 2005 Muster, we all encouraged Jack to shoot his Martini-Henry on one stage. He proceeded to knock every rifle target flat, to the great acclaim of all who watched. ......

Actually, it was that very first Muster in 2004 where, after much arm-twisting, I agreed so reluctantly (.....NOT! .....

) to shoot through the Rorke's Drift scenario with the Martini-Henry I had along for the Long Range side match. .... as evidenced by the above photos, and this one -

Remember, I predicted all the targets (except the furthest 'permanent' gong) would go down ..... also and that only one took two hits before biting the dust!

I am plumb proud to have played such an integral part in the genesis of the Battle Rifle aspect of GAF shooting .....

Drydock · November 09, 2009, 08:17:46 PM

Thats right! It was all anyone could talk about! The stuff of Myth and Legend. The kilt didn't hurt neither . . .

2005 was the next baby step, with a staged Krag for everyone to try. Then the full demonstration in 06, fully shooting every scenario with the Krag and Trapdoor (It was great! I got to shoot most of the stages twice! For,*ahem* research purposes . . .) With 2007 being the first full Battle rifle rules match.

Pitspitr · November 10, 2009, 06:19:14 AM

The first face to face GAF event was the color guard at HOW in 2003. Was there a '03 muster? Looking at your photo's of '04 was there just one squad/posse? I had the pickup all loaded up that year and was just waiting for J. Dawg to get home from school to leave when the neighbor called and said my cows were in his corn.

I felt like using the ammunition I had in the pickup on a bunch of cows.

In '05 J. Dawg's high school football team was in the middle of a state title race (ended up runner up and he ended up 1st team all-state) So we waited to leave until after practice was over . Got to Garnett at about 02:00 Saturday morning. Shot that day and attended the banquet. Got up early the morning and drove home so he could go to practice Sunday evening. I got to shoot the krag.(next year I'll use one for the side match)

'06 I felt like I needed to choose between attending the GMMCS encampment at Ft. Robinson or the Grand Muster. Back then I reasoned that I'd switch and go to the Muster every other year. Now I won't miss the muster Lord willin' and the creek don't rise.

I shot my .50-70 Rolling Block at the '07 and a different trapdoor every since. Next year I'm planning on shooting both trapdoors and a Krag over the course of the 3 days.

Thanks for the pictures... and the memories.

RattlesnakeJack · November 10, 2009, 11:30:53 AM

It is my understanding that the first National Muster was held in 2004 ......

Montana Slim · November 10, 2009, 08:55:37 PM

Jack,

What handgun model & cartridge were you shooting in these photos?

Thanks for sharing the photos again!!

Regards,
Slim

RattlesnakeJack · November 10, 2009, 10:21:35 PM

Quote from: Montana Slim on November 10, 2009, 08:55:37 PMWhat handgun model & cartridge were you shooting in these photos?

Back then I shot a Webley Mark VI service revolver with handloads in old Dominion Cartridge company .455 Colt cases, which are basically interchangeable with the .455 Mark I Webley case. At the time it was NCOWS-legal, notwithstanding its adoption date of 1915, because it is essentially the same in mechanics and function to the 19th Century Mark I through Mark IV service revolvers. However, it has a different standard barrel length and grip-frame shape which set it apart in appearance from the earlier models, so it is no longer acceptable. (On the other hand, the Mark V introduced in 1913 is allowed because it is virtually indistinguishable in appearance from the Mark II through Mark IV versions, and does not differ at all mechanically from the Mark IV, adopted in 1899. It was just made with a stronger grade of steel and had slightly thicker chamber walls for strength, to better accommodate smokeless loads.)

For the last three Musters, I have instead shot my .455 Webley WG Model 1892 revolver .....

Delmonico · November 12, 2009, 02:24:00 PM

This link and the link to the pictures for the 2009 one ought to be PMed to some folks to show how the outfits have improved with out nagging.

Oh well, guess I'm a pot stirrer and times, wait, that's my job.

Pitspitr · November 12, 2009, 07:25:45 PM

Quote from: Delmonico on November 12, 2009, 02:24:00 PM
This link and the link to the pictures for the 2009 one ought to be PMed to some folks to show how the outfits have improved with out nagging.

Oh, now Glenn, There's no need to try to make him look bad.

(He's probably quite capable of that on his own)

Delmonico · November 12, 2009, 07:31:35 PM

Quote from: Pitspitr on November 12, 2009, 07:25:45 PM
Oh, now Glenn There's no need to try to make him look bad.

(He's probably quite capable of that on his own)

I know, funny how showing by example works better than nagging. To many of us like you and me that will defie someone who has now power over us like signing our paycheck.

Our cook camp wern't totally PC, but dang close and the food was safe to eat, not always true with POC. Oh and it didn't get cooked at home and brought in 'lectric roasters, seen some pictures of that one time. Nothin' wrong with it, but you'd think the PC Pole-eece wouldn't allow it.