Miracle at Truk: Operation Hailstone

The Japanese seized the Caroline Islands in Micronesia in 1914, and established a naval base on the island of Truk within it in 1939. As the primary anchorage for the Imperial Japanese Navy’s 4th Fleet, Truk was soon transformed into a fortress. Truk seemed the perfect spot. Offering a natural ...

By Will Dabbs, MD •

POTD: Marlin Model 1888 “Santa Claus” Rifle – Delivered Just in Time

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a lever gun with the best name on a receiver I’ve seen in a while. This is a factory engraved, special order Marlin Model 1888 in 38-40 with “Santa Claus” inscribed on the left side of the receiver. Factory records show it ...

By Sam.S •

POTD: Nimschke-Engraved Brown Ballard – A Scarce Maker

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Ballard single shot that checks two big boxes at once. This one was built by the Brown Manufacturing Company between about 1869 and 1873 and engraved by Louis D. Nimschke, who signed it “L.D.N.” under the receiver. The Ballard ...

By Sam.S •

Curious Relics #143: Iron and Brass – The 1860 Henry Rifle Part II

Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! In the last article, I covered the history of the 1860 Henry, from the Volcanic all the way up to Oliver Winchester taking the company out from under Benjamin Tyler Henry. This time I am getting into the variations, ...

By Sam.S •

POTD: Colt Single Action Army in 44 German – The Most Elusive Colt

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Single Action Army that most Colt collectors will never see in person. This SAA shipped on June 22nd, 1882, as one of six sent to Colt’s London Agency, chambered for the “44 German Cartridge.” Only about 60 SAAs are known...

By Sam.S •

Post-Apocalypse Survival Team – Who Would You Choose?

Recently, Ben Tirpak posted an interesting article over at SKILLSET. Basically, the premise of the story is centered on who he would choose for a deserted island survival team. It’s a common enough thought exercise, right? Particularly when you get a few preppers or survivalists together to cha...

By Jim Cobb •

POTD: Colt 1878 Collow Row Bill Revolver – Champion or Ghost?

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Colt Model 1878 double action with a name on it that raises more questions than it answers. The factory letter shows it shipped on July 21st, 1883, to “Collow Row Bill” in 44-40 with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and ivor...

By Sam.S •

POTD: Massachusetts Colt Second Model Dragoon – Surgeon’s Sidearm

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a big Colt with a Civil War story attached. This is a Colt Second Model Dragoon in 44 caliber, one of only 100 the Massachusetts militia received from the U.S. Ordnance Department in 1852 under the Militia Act. Roughly 20 are thought to surv...

By Sam.S •
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