The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-09-17


 on Seward Street that is probably the most interesting and valuable group of weapons in Alaska, if not in the United States. He has col lected guns from all over the world, but one of his most valued possess sions is .38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolver, former owner un- known, which was recovered by div CTS from the Sofia. The original black walnut handles have been re- placed with walrus ivory handles elaborately carved in a dogs head design.
 Another item. in Truesdell's col lection is what he believes to be the oldest known cartridge gun, a .22 rim fire receiver made before the Civil War by Forhand and Wadsworthy Mass, patented Sep tember 24 and october g. 1851 He also has a powder and ball pistol of the type carried by United States Army officers during the Civil W-r, which is in perfect working cond.- ton.
 Belt Gun
 A A calibre Pocket Army" belt gun made by Merwin and Hull bert about 1880, has interchangeable barrels, one harrel about 4 inches long for use when the gun was to be carried in 9 pocket, and another barrel 2 inches long for use ip a holster. In 1882, Truesdell said, Smith and Wesson bought the pat ent to the Pocket Army" revolver and took it off the market.
 A .38 calibre Colts powder and ball pistol and .56 calibre Spencer manufactured about 1860, found beside a human skeleton near the head of Hoonah Bay, are included in the collection. The revolver which was In leather holster that protected it to a certain extent, has been put in working condition by Truesdell. I've shot it," he said, Tt took a lot of time and patience to put it in shooting con- dition. The rifle was too badly rusted to fix"
 Purchased 25 Years Ago
 Another interesting exhibit is a silver mounted, pearl-handled .38 calibre revolver with a gold-plated cylinder, one of pair of special target guns purchased 25 years ago from Smith and Wesson by Joe Mc- Donald, Superintendent of the Treadwell mine.
 A vicious-appearing engine of de- struction, swivel gun," stands in the window of Truesdell's shop. It was designed for use on a pivot on the bow of boat and is really a small muzzle- loading cannon. It was made about 1860 by E. Rem ington and was brought to Alaska for sea otter hunting. Asked about bullets used in the swivel gun, Truesden replied, They loaded it with anything they could get into it-nails, gravel, shot or anything handy. I won hat on that gun. A man was here from the Reming- ton factory. He told me I could always get parts for any gun ever made by the Remington people, so I bet him a hat he couldn't furnish a hammer for a Remington had in my shop. had to take the swivel gun apart and show him where it said E. Remington under the form before he would pay the bet"
 Big Game Gun
 Most Alaskan hunters carry .3006 rifles, Truesdell said, but all sorts of guns enter the Territory in the possession of tourists. Big game hunters come in here sometimes with .375 Magnum or .35 Win chester" he said, But .30.06 in proper hands is big enough for any, thing in Alaska. Some of these fellows that don't know about gun just shoot at the bear. With a .3006 you can't do that without taking chances of getting your pants tore off. You have to hit him where you can make it count.
 However, some local hunters do carry heavy calibre rifles. "The .375 Magnum with muzzle energy which equals 4000 pounds, compared to a muzzle energy of 29 pounds for the .3006, is very popular gun in South Africa" Truesdell said. T sold the first one that came up here to Ed Jahnke about five years ago. It is only six or seven years since they started to make them. I sold one to Johnny Hermle and another to Wright, the road con- tractor, and I have one.
 They make double-barrel high power rifle in Europe but we don't make double barrel in this coun-. try. The only good one ever built in the United States was made by Colt in 187l--and they only made