RIP Phil Spangenberger (1940-2024)

[Major 2]

I'm saddened to read Firearms Editor Phil Spangenberger died suddenly during a heart procedure on September 26, 2024.
He was 84 originally from Florida, I first met him on the loading dock at the Orange County Convention Center in 2007. On the occasion of Shot Show 2007, he was out back having smoke break, I spoke to him briefly in passing.
He was in full regalia, representing Old West Magazine.



 
 

[Kent Shootwell]

I got to know him a bit and found him to be a pleasant and knowledgeable person. We shared a tent in a hunting camp and his ability to keep the stove glowing red all night was remarkable! He was kind enough to send me some movie props that John Wayne's son gave him. He wrote some good articles.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Ahhh, I'm sorry to hear this. I was heavily influenced by his writing back in the 80s. My current interests are very much as a result of his articles. Somewhere I have one of his company's early catalogs with fabric swaths included. I was impressed by his efforts at authenticity. I always liked the old West, but in those days I was just learning that it was possible to achieve levels of authentic reenacting beyond copying John Wayne movies...

[Silver Creek Slim]

A magazine article of Phil's is what introduced me to CAS. I watched the Tournament of Roses Parade just to see Phil in his cowboy outfit riding his horse.

Slim

[Galloway]

He was one of the first and one of the best modern historical re enactors. I read a whole box of guns and ammo articles of his when I was starting out in BP. His great pictures and writings had a positive influence throughout my adulthood and he'll truly be missed.

[Tascosa Joe]

I met him and spent a little time with him at the 1981 Western National Rendezvous north of La Vita, CO.  He was doing an article on the TC Hawken, if I remember correctly. He used a buddy of mine's TP for a back drop for his pictures.  He seemed to be a good guy. 

[Abilene]

dwaynelucas reported.    

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Phil was a great promoter of the western way and very knowledgeable of all things cowboy. I knew him professionally and visited him one time in LA. He gave me quite a tour including a real movie back lot and Stembridge Arms - probably the foremost firearms and prop rental outfit at the time. Most of all he was a true gentleman of the type rarely seen these days.
 
Rev. Chase

[Abilene]

Here's a couple pics of Phil from EOT's in California. One with Outlaw Annie. Always smiling.