Crankin' It Up

"I'd Like To See A Little More Of You" is a genuine oldie, recorded in 1907 by Ada Jones and Billy Murray. It is on the Oxford label, which pressed records from 1906 to 1916. It is in pretty good shape, and like many records in our collection, this was the first time I had listened to it.

One Is Not Enough!

There is good news over on The Firearm Blog for folks who want to enjoy lots of inexpensive practice with a pistol that is just like their self defense packing piece. Smith and Wesson is now shipping their new PK380 (below), which is almost identical in size and operation to their popular P22 (above).

Click On Photo For Link To Firearm Blog Post.

Both of these models are moderately priced, and the only difference I can see in the operation besides the caliber is that the .380 does not have the magazine safety that is part of the .22 pistol. There have been complaints on the internet about the P22 having problems with the slide breaking because it is made of a zinc alloy. Most P22 owners love the little gun and have no problem; Smith and Wesson has been very responsive in making things right with customers who have had problems. The PK380 has a steel slide, so dependability should be a non-issue with the new model.

My limited experience with a P22 showed that the little gun is very dependable, but it does not like cheap, unplated .22 ammo. I never had a bobble as long as it was stoked with Mini-Mags or Velocitors. Takedown for cleaning is easy if you read the directions, and so is the re-assembly. Call your favortite gun shop and load up. You will be well practiced, and well armed!

First Outing

This 1926 Ford roadster was on its first time out since its restoration was completed. It was in the lineup for the noon parade on the first day of Old Threshers, and after I took these shots I spoke to the owner. He was very proud and pleased with his flivver, and just a little nervous with all the other cars and people around him. I couldn't see a fingerprint on it anywhere, and it even smelled like a new car.

And Now We Come Down To The Wire

Today is the official final day to submit your "Mr. Completely September e-Postal Contest" targets. Scan or photgraph your targets and e-mail them (or your scores and other necessary info) to truebluetravelinman (at) gmail (dot) com. If you want to enter and have not had time, send a desperate plea for a time extension, and you can enter through the next weekend. If you go for the time extension, you should also shoot the October contest, which should be announced soon on Mr. Completely's blog. We Are Into An Extended Season!!! We have had a request, so you can shoot the contest through the first weekend of October!!!

Keep Your Donkey Dry

I was way out in the sticks last week on a rainy day to walk some timber with a landowner, and he never showed. I don't blame him. On my way out I saw this donkey, and he wasn't about to come out and get wet.

4 HP Mogul Engine At Pinckneyville

Mogul engines were very well built, but they were not as popular as they should have been because of all the moving parts. Rural customers were put off by the thought of all those parts wearing out, and went for the simpler engines on the market. Side shaft engines of any brand are very desirable to collectors today because of their relative rarity, and Moguls are at the top of every collector's list.

Not My Victrola

"I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" was just posted you YouTuber 240252, and it's a good one. Push back the furniture and enjoy a dance before the weekend is over, and you will feel great all day Monday.

Better Make Some Coffee...Monday's Coming

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam

This Wood Brothers engine is literally one of a kind. Most of this engine was found in a sawmill, but the wheels and some other parts were missing. The missing parts are from scraps of other engines, and this big double geared plowing machine is truly a unique treasure.

At some steam shows you will see operators put engines through their paces by hooking onto a tractor pulling sled. I always cringe when I see this, because these engines are all at least 80 years old, and the sled will stress them to the max. I saw this Wood Brothers engine hooked up and pulling one day at Old Threshers, and as the travelling weight maxed out the pull, something failed in the drive-train, and the engine revved up too fast and stopped. I took a look at it later, and the reversing gear failed when the engine revved. The operators were lucky that these parts failed before the flywheel exploded. I think that new parts can be fabricated, and I bet that this engine won't be tested on a pulling sled again.

Crankin' It Up

Henry Burr and Grace Nash recorded this delightful Vaudeville number in October, 1915. Most of the record is pretty good, if a little worn, except for one bad needle ding. I am going to try filling that spot with wax during the upcoming weekend, and see if I can re-do this record without the skip and pop. I will keep you posted.