Hell I was There by Elmer Keith

C

CorpsmanUP!

Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
356
I just got this book in the mail today! I read and reread sixguns and wanted more. After reading just a few of his stories which incidently remind me of jackknife's stories-I thought my how times have changed. My wife is a paralegal which is basically a lawyer who didn't take the bar exam, she constantly thinks in a mindset of liability. I guess it's the world we have made for ouselves in a litigous society. If I shared any of these stories with her I have a feeling I would only hear 'That's crazy- You can't do that now- someone would sue you" to just about every one of Mr. Keith's stories. This is the kind of childhood I want for my future children. I have wanted to move to Montana for the last 5 years but more so now. I fear however that it is the same there too. any thoughts?

PS. Does anyone know what kind of folder Mr. Keith used?
 
I've read everything I could get my hands on about Elmer Keith; he's the reason I bought a Ruger .44 back in 1998. I lived in Montana for a couple years growing up, and like you, I'd really like to get back up there.

Have you ever read the story of how he got burned, and how he worked his way back being able to use his hand? That story alone makes him one of my heroes.

thx - cpr
 
I did read about that. I too own a Ruger super black hawk in .44 Mag. It is amazing the knowlege our grandparents have accumulated with good basic working tools (single action revolver, lever gun, scatter gun...etc) and the CRAP in the tactical mags. I am really enjoying this book an look forward to continuing it.
Ps. Nobody knows what kind of folder Mr. Keith used?
 
As info...there is a new reprint of Sixguns by Tom Rowe Publications. Sixguns pricing has been going out of sight since it went out of print a few years ago.
 
This is a fantastic book. I used to check it out from the library until I found the newly released paperback at a gunshow. Now I have my own copy of it. His account of the Spanish influenza is chilling. Big strapping men would come in to the sick barracks in the morning with the beginnings of symptoms and would be hauled out the other end by sundown, feet first. Totally unreal. Little Elmer pulled through and we're all the better for it. Don't forget folks, he pioneered the .357 Mag before he spearheaded his way into the .41 and the .44 magnums. That was way back before 1935ish. I can't believe this guy wasn't stone deaf in his old age. He certainly believed in throwing a flame signature out the business end of a wheelgun!

Highly recommended reading. (And no, I don't recall anything about a folder. If I had to guess, I'd say he carried a slipjoint stockman and a pipe cleaning tool.) Cheers. :)
 
Oh and speaking of a namby-pamby, bedwetting society... Just look at the changes from when we were in high school to the police state that high school campus(es) have become now. Sheesh. I remember the FFA crowd walking down the hallway with their purple courdery jackets and a trusty Buck 110 in a leather sheath on their belt. If you had a black eye, you either didn't listen at home or you were involved in the daily fistfight after school at the baseball diamond. Nobody called Doctor Phil. Problems were solved at lower levels. I recently heard about a sophmore that was fined by a judge IN COURT for saying F**K in school. A judge! As recently as 1988 there was teachers giving you the option, suck on this bar of dial for five minutes or go to the office. Up to you. Sheesh. A judge!

Sorry for the rant but you brought up all the changes since Elmer's hayday. I was simply pointing out the changes in the past few years. If this keeps on you'll start seeing railroad cars full of nude masses and roadsigns at trestle stops proclaiming, "Velcome to zee kamps!" And yep, you guessed it. People will go along to get along. :mad:
 
Cougar, I know he designed one with Gill Hibben but I have since seen better versions of this knife from custom makers. I was just wondering, but I would say Harry is spot on with his guess.

*sigh*- I guess this is the reason I like sitting down with my grandpas every chance I get to listen to 'sea stories'.
 
CorpsmanUP! said:
*sigh*- I guess this is the reason I like sitting down with my grandpas every chance I get to listen to 'sea stories'.
Click to expand...

Yup - you should write it all down, too. History is much more tangible when someone's been there, kinda like Elmer.

thx - cpr
 
CorpsmanUP! said:
Cougar, I know he designed one with Gill Hibben but I have since seen better versions of this knife from custom makers. I was just wondering, but I would say Harry is spot on with his guess.

*sigh*- I guess this is the reason I like sitting down with my grandpas every chance I get to listen to 'sea stories'.
Click to expand...

Have you seen the ones that, I think were Gun&Ammo giveaway knives. I think they were in the mags ads. I remember seeing the ads in a mag many years ago. If anyone has one I would l9ive to get a original or even a copy would be neat. I have about 6 of the knives in a display case I take to shows, in the hops of finding different versions of the knife and sheath. I have 3 different types of sheaths, and a couple of knives that are a little different. I have always wondered about the design. It is much heavier than anything any hunter friends of mine would think of using, in face they joke about my Keith knives. All the giveaway knives have or had JAPAN stamped on them lightly. But there were many American makers that made their own version of what knife. I an not fortunate to have any made by a good maker.

Dennis aka nifman
 
Heres one of his knives he designed

5-29-elmerkeith.jpg


3-222-elmer.jpg
 
Roger that Cougar. I will take your word for it and start a new thread in GKD. Could there perhaps be some Kieth lore in them though? I'm not trying to be insolent just curious about Elmer Keith and perhaps any backstory.
Doc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top