Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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The largest collection of old guns that was made public knowledge was that of C. Burton Saunders of Berryville, Arkansas. Outdoor Life editor J.A. McGuire judged that an account of Mr. Saunders’ vast collection was sufficiently noteworthy to warrant a three-and-a-half page coverage in the October 1923 issue. Perhaps the centerpiece of Saunders’ 700-plus guns was a Colt Navy once owned by Jesse James. Supporting the claim was a letter from the son of the man Jesse gave the pistol to in 1877. Thomas G. Davis had done James a favor of some sort, and the method of demonstrating his appreciation was to present Mr. Davis with a gun when he happened to be temporarily weaponless. The barrel is inscribed “Jesse James, Sep.12, [sic] Pilot Knob, Mo.” Also worthy of mention is a Single Action Colt that was said to have been given to James’ brother-in-law at Sonora, California. The relative later lent it to a forest ranger and the gun was ruined when his cabin burned. Saunders was later able to acquire it.