Posted on 03/03/2005 8:50:31 AM PST by Coastal
I'm a little surprised that Hunter the Gonzo man didn't order his family to smoke his ashes in a joint after he died.Now that's something a Gonzo guy would do.
That would be a fitting tribute indeed. Along with shooting your shotguns into the air, of course. I need that.
Use bird shot of course, so no one's shingle roof will be damaged.
Please note that I said that was my best understanding and, so, of course, I defer on that item and any others on which another person might have more thorough information. Could that distinction between "pistols" and revolvers maybe be a more modern one? Not that many people carry flintlocks these days as far as I know.
From an etymology dictionary, the meaning/origin of the word "pistol" is:
"small hand-held firearm," c.1570, from M.Fr. pistole "short firearm" (1566), of uncertain origin, sometimes said to be from Ger. Pistole, from Czech pis'tala "firearm," lit. "tube, pipe," from pisteti "to whistle," of imitative origin, related to Rus. pischal "shepherd's pipe." But earlier form pistolet (1550) is from M.Fr. pistolet "a small firearm," also "a small dagger," which may be the literal sense; though some connect this word with It. pistolese, in reference to Pistoia, town in Tuscany noted for gunsmithing.
Uncertain if that helps.
I'm always grateful to see and learn the roots of words because it's important to know where things of all sorts come from, especially words. But, in modern usage, I've heard many a knowledgeable firearms guy distinguish "pistols" from "wheel guns" in this way, so I'm still not clear whether that's correct or not, so I guess my question is, by today's common usage, is this distinction correct?
Me, I think a revolver is a pistol, and a semi-automatic handgun is also a pistol.
The only time I noted a similar difference was when s SGT instructed me that "This is your rifle, this is your gun, one is for killing. . . "
Well, yeah, I once had that kind of distinction pointed out to me, too, but throwing the rifle into the mix confuses me as much today as it did then. Maybe the late Roger Miller explained the lack of difference years ago when he siad, "My pappy was a pistol - I'm a son of a gun".
One story I haven't yet seen on F.R. is that apparently one of Dubya's Neighbors in Crawford got sick of the ANTI-WAR protestors, and he promptly discharged his Shotgun three times.
When Secret Service arrived he reportedly told them, "It's DOVE Season" that ought to speak for itself." He complained that the ANTI-WAR protestors where blocking his driveway.
Local Law enforcement conceded that it IS his ranch and he IS free to fire his Shotguns.
I love it.. "It's DOVE Season".... Could it get any better?
We need MORE on this story, ping me if any of you see it ;>
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.