So there's a discussion about what would you carry in 1968 but what about 1898? Would you stick with a tried and true single action revolver, a newer double action one or thanks to the invention of smokeless powder you can carry one of those new fangled semi auto pistols. I've always been fascinated by the guns of this time period. I'll go with a Bergman 1896 just because it looks cool.

Knowing what I know now, probably something like this.




But I wouldn't know what I know now, so who knows?

I would almost certainly opt for a 4 3/4" SAA in .45 Colt (though sigfreund's storekeeper is really cool).

Smith hand ejector, and the go to the K frame size hand ejector in '99.

Mauser C96

C96 if for NO OTHER REASON then Bad ass then, bad ass now. I’d probably rock a monocle too just cuz.

Probably the SAA in .44-40 and a Winchester 1873 to match.

Technically, Lugers were around.

https://www.historicalfirearms...s-army-began-testing

quote:

Originally posted by hjs157:
I would almost certainly opt for a 4 3/4" SAA in .45 Colt.

This right here for me. Actually, make that two of them.

Handgun: Colt SAA in .45 Colt. Barrel trimmed even with the ejector rod housing.
Rifle: The newfangled Winchester 94 in 30.30.
Shotgun: 1897 Winchester Pump.

quote:

Handgun: Colt SAA in .45 Colt. Barrel trimmed even with the ejector rod housing.
Rifle: The newfangled Winchester 94 in 30.30.
Shotgun: 1897 Winchester Pump.

thats what I too would carry. For Cowboy action shooting today I shoot the same pistols in caliber and!'manufacture; the same Winchester 94, but in45lc, and for shot gun, a 12ga CZ Coach with hammers.

S&W lemon Squeezer .38 S&W, or a Merwin & Hulbert DA in the same Caliber.

If I felt the need for something bigger then I'd add a Colt SAA in one of the larger Calibers, or a Merwin & Hulbert.

Some flavor of higher end, more modern, medium-sized double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder, like a Colt New Police or Colt New Service.

Semiautos weren't quite there yet, with the C96 being the only really reliable and robust semiauto available, and it's too large for most carry purposes.

And I wouldn't want to have to deal with Single Action Only revolvers, or especially gate-loading single rounds and punching out empties one by one.

(So I guess some type of top-break DA revolver would be a second choice.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RogueJSK, September 22, 2020 10:00 AM

SAA in 45Colt, 4 3/4”.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Some flavor of higher end, more modern, medium-sized double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder, like a Colt New Police or Colt New Service.

Semiautos weren't quite there yet, with the C96 being the only really reliable and robust semiauto available, and it's too large for most carry purposes.

well if I am wearing that big old canvas or leather duster, I could carry a C96,

maybe even a borchardt

Colt SAA in caliber 45 Colt with a 4 3/4 or 5 1/2 inch barrel. The SAA "feels Right" in my hand and in fact I own one with a 4 3/4 in barrel.

I would also have a 30-40 Kraig Carbine.

Lock N Load

Michael
USMC Ret

Luger.

C96 Mauser.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus Dei:
Technically, Lugers were around.

Technically, but not really.

The Luger's not an option, unless in this imaginary scenario you were also imagining you happened to be a personal friend of Georg Luger that was gifted a custom prototype, or imagining you were a member of the Swiss military testing board who managed to steal one of five 1898 trials prototypes away for personal use.

The first fireable prototype Luger was made in mid-1898 in preparation for Swiss military testing (in response to their disappointment with the earlier Borschardt C93 design), and that and subsequent prototypes were tested for the remainder of 1898 and through 1899, with approximately five total prototypes being produced specifically for military trials in 1898, and another three dozen or so prototypes with various changes made for further trials in 1899.

The Luger didn't first enter formal production until mid-1900, and didn't become available on the commercial market in small quantities until mid/late 1900, a couple years too late for this thought exercise.

Probably a surplus SAA and a vest Bowie.