In one of my favorite used bookstores, I recently picked up a copy of LIFE magazine from April 10 of 1939. Amidst the ads for big ol’ Hudson sedans for $695 new off the showroom floor and Dodge Luxury Liners at $756 for a coupe and $815 for a sedan, firearms were distinctly in evidence in the main body of the reporting.

PHOTOS FROM LIFE MAGAZINE, APRIL 10, 1939

With the Nazi threat looming, LIFE reported, Europe was shipping gold to the US for safekeeping, and the largest shipment yet – sixty million in 1939 dollars – was being guarded by a fella with a Colt double action revolver and a Thompson submachinegun.

The main theme of that issue was a focus on Texas. A well-worn Westerner was depicted sitting on a porch with his back to the camera, a Colt 1911 .45 auto prominently holstered on his hip. The caption read, “Texans still tote loaded guns.”  (Oddly enough, that open carry in public would not be legal today in the Lone Star State, though unlike the fellow in the picture today’s Texan can get a permit to carry a concealed handgun.)

So far, so good. But then, in a segment titled “Texans Are Lusty,” there were the three pictures below.

Making a shot with a revolver bent over, upside down? Well…been there, done that.

legs

Three of you grabbing your friend and one of you trying to pull his presumably loaded six-shooter out of his holster, while there’s a whisky bottle in his hip pocket? Gee, I guess the mainstream media was already a little anti-gun when they staged that one for the camera 74 years ago.

whiskey

The piece de resistance of the sequence, though, is one Stetsoned Texan shooting a cigar out of another’s mouth with a six-inch barrel target revolver.  To which I can only say…well, nothing that will pass the family-friendly filter of Backwoods Home.

cigar

That trick was supposedly a staple of Annie Oakley’s act. It was said that on one of her European tours prior to World War I, she blew the tip of a tube of tobacco out of the mouth of Kaiser Wilhelm.  After the war began, the legend says, Ms. Oakley invited the Kaiser to give that one more go.  He apparently declined, perhaps realizing the feisty American hero might do it this time with him facing her.

Shooting a cigar or cigarette out of someone’s mouth with live ammunition?  “Only in Texas,” the effete anti-gunners of the time might have sniffed. “That certainly wouldn’t happen in a civilized place, such as Los Angeles!”

Au contraire, Muffy.  The LIFE photos below post-dated by three years the film which follows in this blog, recently discovered from the archives of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  Watch it, and revel in the fact that firearms safety is better in America in the 21st Century.

Video here:

LASD SHOOTING DEMONSTRATION

1 COMMENT

  1. Two amazing finds Mas, the 1939 magazine and the 1936 video…

    And a Thompson submachine gun demonstration to boot…:-)

    Someday I’ll tell you about the time PK and I each fired two TSMG’s, one in each hand, and loaded with C drums. 200 rounds emptied in less than 10 seconds and the effect was… memorable. As I recall, he was more accurate with his 200 rounds than I was.

    But .45 ACP was cheaper then too…

    Just can’t imagine the trust they placed in each other to take those shots.

    A different time… I guess about a decade before “L.A. Confidential”?

    Thanks again Mas for the Thompson footage…

  2. What a fabulous video! The color enhancement was great. I was surprised to see how much has not changed about shooting since 1938. They even put cotton in their ears. Of course, watching those trick shots was scary. One shot took a cigarette out of a deputy’s right ear. It came awful close to his ear. Pretty good shooting for one-handed, and of course I love Tommy guns. Got to shoot one at Knob Creek in April 2011. Thanks a million.

  3. It is, but I’ll have to say those folks were MUCH more proficient with their weapons than John Q. Public or LEO is today. And a lot of those ‘trick’ shots were actually done with rifles that were off camera.

  4. Actually,some of the training looked surprisingly ‘modern’; the anatomical targets and shooting on the move. My understanding was that shooting was pretty much bullseye-style.

  5. Thanks Mas for the “blast from the past”. Scary and entertaining at the same time.

  6. Many years ago (50+) I was helping pull targets for the Sheriff’s Department’s [annual] qualification at the local club range. I had been doing so for the previous 3 years and came to know several of the deputies and officers quite well. As the qualifications were ending I helped load up the last vehicles. It was then I spied the Beautiful Thompson M27 in what was; perhaps, it’s original crate and packing. I was ASTOUNDED when the Captain asked me if I would like to, “shoot it a few times?” I stammered and choked up a ‘yes SIR!’ He loaded up a few mags of FMJ and went through a short lesson on ‘how-to’ … then he set the Thompson in my hands. My heart must have been beating 150 and I didn’t even notice the 13lb. heft. Capt. P. inserted the mag and took the safe to fire. He pointed to the B27 10 yards downrange. I aimed and fired. Tat-Tat-Tat-Tat-Tat mag empty. I was speechless. I was In Love!!! He handed me ANOTHER mag and said to grab hold of it tighter and try the target to the right…Yes, Sir! TATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA!!! I was so impressed with that Thompson’s power, function, and beauty AND of the Kindness of Capt. P. to allow me that Honor. He was from that era of Good Men Who Lived Life Hard & Full & a little on the edge. The Captain retired the next year and I never got to fire a TSMG again…but it’s on my ‘Bucket List’ for sure!
    PS
    Thanks Capt. P. … and Thank you Mas!

  7. [A well-worn Westerner was depicted sitting on a porch with his back to the camera, a Colt 1911 .45 auto prominently holstered on his hip. The caption read, “Texans still tote loaded guns.” (Oddly enough, that open carry in public would not be legal today in the Lone Star State, though unlike the fellow in the picture today’s Texan can get a permit to carry a concealed handgun.)]

    A bit of history. The first Texas law against concealed and open carry in public was “An Act to Regulate the Keeping and Bearing of Deadly Weapons, Law of April 12, 1871, ch. 34, §1, 1871 Tex. Gen. Laws 25” passed as part of the Reconstruction. Concealed and open carry of a handgun was prohibited until the CHL law passed in 1995. SB 60 established the concealed handgun license, but left open carry prohibited.

    Of course if the “well-worn Westerner” was sitting on his OWN porch, then the open carry was legit, as it is today on your own property.

    There were a bunch of anti-carry laws passed during Reconstruction. I wonder why? 😉

  8. What really hurt was seeing the cashier ring up 55¢ for a box of fifty .38 Special rounds…

    ECS

  9. The video was very interesting, if a little dated, but the ability to do some of that shooting, one handed, certainly took quite a bit of skill.

    I remember shooting on the Long Beach PD pistol range in the late 1950s, and you could buy range reloaded .38s for $2.00 a box of fify at the time.

    Unfortunately, these cartridges were reloaded by some of their trusty prisoners, so occassionally, there might be a little suprise, such as only a primer, and no power, or a bit more powder than there should be.

    At least it kept you on your toes, listening for a pop, instead of a boom, or a big boom, so you could stop and inspect your weapon for stuck bullets, or bulges.

    Did admire the skill of that officer, with the Tompson, writing the E. W. B. on his target though.

  10. The photos of Sherrif Sweeten were a wonderful memory. I got to watch some of Jess’s shooting demos over 40 years ago. Having Lived in Henderson Co TX 45+ years ago (and moved back recently). Jess was one Heck of a good, decent man and in his day a great Lawman. After he retiered as Sherrif Gov Ann Richards, in the ONLY move I approved of appointed Jess to the Texas Rangers. Elected Sherriff in 1932 at the age of 27, the youngest Tx sherriff

  11. That was an interesting video. Did anyone else have a mild heart attack when the rookie points his revolver at the instructor the first time he pulls it out of the holster?

    The more things change, the more they remain the same. Range safety is Job One, then and now. Thanks for the link, Mas!

  12. NJ Gun Ban Scorecard

    Posted on June 2, 2013 by Robert Farago

    “After a rocky start, the state Assembly and Senate are now working together on gun control legislation,” nj.com reports. Here’s their rundown of civilian disarmament legislation and the dangers of same, added by yours truly in italics.

    Passed by both houses and on governor’s desk

    A3668: Bars state pension fund from investing in companies that manufacture or sell assault firearms for civilian use – Part of the demonization of guns process—last seen with the California teachers’ union and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. This bill serves no purpose save stoking the fires of anti-gun extremism . . .

    A3687: Bans those on the federal terrorist watch list from buying guns – There is no set procedure for getting on or off the terrorist watch list. The danger: if the feds declare the Tea Party or the NRA domestic terrorists and put members on the list, they would not be able to buy guns in New Jersey.

    A3717: Requires state to submit data on those who should be barred from owning guns to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System – Background checks are inefficient, ineffective and unconstitutional. Allowing states to determine who should be ineligible for gun purchases on the federal level, and then pump the info to the Fibbie, is ill-advised.

    A3796: Gives those who possess illegal guns 180 days to dispose of them – “Illegal guns” meaning “assault weapons” and any other firearm the People’s Republic of New Jerseyistan [arbitrarily] decides aren’t suitable for residents seeking to exercise their natural, civil and Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

    A3797: Requires New Jersey enforcement agencies to report information on lost, stolen and discarded guns to federal databases – NJ hearts gun registration

    A3583/1613: Establishes School Security Task Force – Paving the way for cops to cash-in on taxpayer fears. Again. Still.

    Passed by both houses but changed slightly; needs new vote in Assembly

    A3788: Turns state regulation that firearms owner info is not public information into a state law – A winner! But don’t get to thinking that their doing this out of respect. Ex-cops are scared shitless of the publication of firearm owners’ names and addresses

    A3659: Bans the .50-caliber rifle — the most powerful weapon available to civilians – Aside from, say, a fertilizer bomb. And depending on how you define powerful. And the number of crimes committed with a .50-caliber rifle in NJ are . . . none. Gun control theater at its worst. I hope.

    Passed Senate but not Assembly

    S2723: Sweeney’s “centerpiece” bill on gun permits that would embed firearm purchase permit information on driver’s licenses instead of separate paper permits, create a system for instant background checks, require gun buyers to show they completed a safety training course and stiffen penalties for letting guns slip into the hands of minors. Four bills passed by the Assembly (A3510, A1683, A3645 and A3748) have been incorporated into this bill – Putting firearm info on a driver’s license enables government harassment and potential firearms confiscation. There’s already a federal system for instant background checks. Safety training courses are a hurdle to legal gun ownership (especially for poor people) with no proven effect on “gun safety.” Stopping minors from handling guns allows gun grabbers to damage the culture supporting legal firearms ownership.

    S1133: Requires presumption that any bail paid by defendant charged with certain weapons offenses be paid in the form of full cash – As much as I favor keeping people convicted of violent firearms offense in jail, they should be proven guilty first. Making it harder if not impossible for people charged with a weapons offense to raise bail sets a dangerous precedent for our justice system. If a judge denies them bail, fair enough. Otherwise, WTF?

    S1279: Upgrades penalty for unlawfully transferring a firearm to an underage person; permits transfer for instruction and training – Not sure of the details on this one, but I’m always suspicious of laws that substitute government oversight to parental responsibility.

    S2430: Declares violence a public health crisis and establishes “Study Commission on Violence” – Boondoggle.

    S2468: Allows impounding motor vehicles if driver unlawfully has a gun – Why not take their house and credit cards too? As the Communists used to say, what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.

    S2715: Requires Department of Education to prepare and distribute pamphlets on how parents can limit a child’s exposure to media violence – Now that’s funny. Or not, if you consider that taxpayer money’s being used to assume parental responsibilities and target a perfectly legal enterprise.

    S2719: Enhances penalties for gun trafficking firearms offenses – Good.

    S2720: Clarifies that information concerning the total number of firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase a handgun issued in a municipality are public records – Also good.

    S2725: Makes it a third-degree crime to possess air or spring gun for an unlawful purpose – Airguns? BB guns? Seriously? Existing NJ laws already penalize the use of any gun-like object in the commission of a crime. Making simple possession a third degree crime is simply a move to discourage the sale of BB and air guns.

    S2801: Increases statute of limitations for prosecution of theft of firearm from five to 10 years – Yeah, like the NJ Po-Po are going to arrest people for ten-year-old gun thefts.

    S2804: Makes unlawful possession of firearms a first-degree crime; increases mandatory minimum sentences under the “Graves Act” – I’m tough on crime but mandatory minimums don’t work and can make life hell for an otherwise law-abiding citizen.

    Passed Assembly but not Senate *

    A1329: Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds – FOAD

    A588: Bans possession of ammunition capable of penetrating body armor – Rife rounds penetrate body armor. Silly law that will limit the sale of proper defensive ammunition.

    A1116: Establishes 180-day prohibition on purchase of handgun for those convicted of failing to report loss or theft of firearm – Could have been worse, but what is the point, exactly?

    A1387: Permits municipalities to establish weapons-free zones around schools and public facilities – Ever try avoiding a weapons-free zone while walking around an urban area? Besides, weapons-free zones are criminal invitation zones. Profoundly ignorant law that grants too much power to local liberals pursuing an anti-gun agenda.

  13. California Gun Laws to Tighten Even Further

    Posted May 31st, 2013 by Tactical-Life & filed under News.

    Already known for some of the strictest gun laws in the land, the State of California may enact legislation to tighten their restrictions even further.

    The State Senate approved measures that would:

    • Outlaw detachable magazines in rifles and so-called button bottoms;

    • Prohibit magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition;

    • Require background checks for all buyers and sellers of ammunition;

    • Reclassify certain shotguns as assault weapons;

    • Require all gun buyers to take a firearm-safety certificate class;

    • Expand crimes that would result in a 10-year ban on owning or buying firearms. Additions include drug- and alcohol-related offenses, hazing, violations of protective orders and court-ordered mental health treatment.

  14. Just curious why people keep posting articles from the truth about guns site in the comments here.
    Love the material, but seems a bit off topic at times and I don’t recall the articles being credited to the site.
    Thanks.

  15. As a long-time observer of Texas gun laws, I can assure you that the open carry described would have technically been illegal in 1939, as well. The following statute didn’t get substantially revised until 1992, when the CHL laws were passed.

    Regards,

    Al

    http://books.google.com/books?id=JFUwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA180&lpg=PA180&dq=carry+about+person+saddlebags+texas+dirk&source=bl&ots=B0-TY5RMv2&sig=VhzAbokOepfBhqUbJyE20rd-Wrc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=05KuUeP0JIPE4APvmoG4CQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=carry%20about%20person%20saddlebags%20texas%20dirk&f=false

  16. That film of the Thompson writing the initials reminded me of being at the Second Chance shoot when a salesman was demonstrating an American 180. It carried 177 RDS of 22rf IN A drum on top of the received. It fired from an open bolt and we could shoot it if we bought the ammo. I had the distinct impression the I could write my name. As I recall we ran the town out of ammo.

  17. Well done vid! I shot a friend’s p95 a coplue weeks ago and was very impressed with how accurate it was. My sr9 was accurate too, but I sadly got barrel peening after 2 thousand rounds and got rid of it. The reason I was watching this vid was that I just purchased one of these today new for 295 bucks! I just don’t see how this gun would be a poor deal. They shoot great, have double action, and the friends I have that own them love them. Thank for the field strip, that is deffinately going 2 help