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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · 17d

Mmmmm. Look what I'm taking to the range this weekend.

#rangetime #rangeday #pewpew #357magnum #38special #revolver #revolvers #frenchguns

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · 21d

... this gun's heft could do double duty as a sledgehammer. It was sold in the late 1860s and early 1870s.

Some of the distributors gave these guns curious names, with this gun nicknamed the "Bulldozer."

#antiqueguns #44rimfire #oldgun #oldguns #antiques

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · 21d

Canadian-born brothers Henry and Louis Hammond were the namesake of this oddity from the Connecticut Arms Company: the Hammond "Bulldog" pistol. Holding a single round of .44 rimfire and loading with this curious swiveling breech (which the Hammond brothers had patented) ... 🧵

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 16

... which gives a splendid sight picture.

I predict many happy range trips with this six shooter.

#smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #10mm #10mmammo #mountaingun #revolver #revolvers #pewpew #rangeday

Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 16

... and thick walnut grips from Tyler Gun Works that give your mitts plenty to hold onto.

The retro throwbacks are especially worth mentioning. I'm digging the retro tapered barrel, putting the styling of this pistol somewhere between the 1920s and 1950s. Ditto for the gold bead front sight ...

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 16

Smith & Wesson and Lipsey's absolutely hit it out of the ballpark with the Model 610 Mountain Gun. This embodies everything that S&W is: one of the world's most iconic revolver frames (the N frame dates back to 1908!), the 10mm Auto cartridge (Jeff Cooper is smiling down on us) ... 🧵

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 6

#CommunistGuns #RadomP64 #ColdWarClassic #PolishPistol #VintageFirearms #UglyButFunctional

Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 6

The Radom P64: When Polish engineers saw the elegant Walther PP and said 'Hold my vodka, we can make this uglier AND weaker.' This 1969 communist brick is about to prove that sometimes the best guns are the ones that look like they were designed by committee. Range day incoming! 🔫

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 4

What's the most unexpected piece that's rolled into your collection? Drop your stories below! 👇

#NorincoType54 #ChiCom #TokAmmo #SovietEngineering #FirearmCollection #GunCommunity

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Sep 4

Plot twist: a Norinco Type 54 ChiCom just landed in my hands and I'm not mad about it 👀 Looks like it was finished with a cardboard budget, but the build quality is solid and that modular FCU? Those crafty Soviets were playing 4D chess decades ago. Now just waiting for Tok ammo to feed this beast 🔥

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Aug 25

A Remington R51 cheaper than Applebee's for 2. Famous last words: The internet is exaggerating.

The internet wasn't exaggerating.

It makes farm equipment look ergonomic. Shoots like a shopping cart going down stairs. 10/10 would not recommend unless you enjoy suffering.

#BuyerBeware #9mm #GunFail

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Aug 11

This 1984 @Smith_WessonInc Model 10 probably spent a few decades on duty. Grip worn nearly smooth from endless draws, but drop some oil in and watch it stack bullets at 25 yards. Peak reliability never goes out of style.

#smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #38special #rangetime

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Aug 5

She's keeping her wartime secrets... for now. Time for some elbow grease to coax out those stories. 🔧

#Colt #WW2 #VintageGuns #MilSurp #GunHistory #38special

Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Aug 5

Desperately needed oil but otherwise pristine. Action still locks up crisp as the day it left the factory.

Don't let the precise feel fool you—this was built for war, not bullseyes. But damn if it wasn't cutting tight groups at 25 yards. 🧵

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Aug 5

Finally put this WW2-era Colt Commando through its paces 🎯

Smith & Wesson pushes, Colt pulls—like stepping off a plane in a foreign country where everything's backwards.

This beauty came straight from the original family, untouched since the postwar era. 🧵

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 30

I respect a man that collects and shoots Rugers. They make great stuff.

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 30

Thanks! Not much good 2A content here ... hopefully I'm helping with that.

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 30

Texas Department of Corrections didn't mess around in '81. Smith & Wesson Model 65 with gonçalo alves grips. .357 Magnum thunder in a K-frame package. Fixed sights: all business. This is what "institutional badass" looks like. 💀🔥 #smithandwessonpartner #smithandwesson #357magnum #lawenforcement

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 25

This man won gold medals, sculpted art, AND revolutionized competitive shooting. Talk about range! 🎯✨

#SmithWesson #SmithAndWesson #SmithAndWessonPartner #RareGuns #WalterWinans #Olympic #VintageFirearms #GunsOfTwitter #FirearmsHistory #Collector #PhiladelphiaHistory #CompetitiveShooting

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 25

No, you're not seeing things—this is a COPPER-PLATED Smith & Wesson New Model 3! 🔥 One of only TWO ever made by the factory, shipped to Philly in February 1904. The wild copper finish? Inspired by Walter Winans, an Olympic shooting gold-medalist who basically invented being cool with a revolver. 🧵

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 23

In 1911 California gun dealer Phil Bekeart had an idea. Take Smith & Wesson's .32 revolver → chamber it in .22 LR → add target sights = INSTANT SUCCESS 🎯 The .22/32 Heavy Frame Target was born and today's Models 317, 63, & 43C carry that legacy.

#smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 21

Plot spoiler: I didn't attend a Coldplay concert over the past week. Just a lot of range time with this Smith & Wesson PC1911 chambered in God's Caliber.

#smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #M1911 #45ACP #GodsCaliber #rangetime #pewpew

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 12

Still digging into its wartime story but already loving the history.

#WW2History #OSS #ColtCommando #MilitaryCollecting #VintageFirearms #WarHistory #Colt #38Special

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 12

Found this 1942 Colt Commando and it's got CHARACTER. 🔥 Timing puts it right in the sweet spot for both Army and Defense Supply Corp shipments, and there *might* be an OSS connection. The barrel wear tells me this baby saw action - no safe queen here!

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Michael Helms, Firearms Historian @firearmshistorian.bsky.social · Jul 9

Nambu 14 range report: Fed her some Bannerman ammo and she purred like a kitten 🐱 FDR-era springs still going strong but ordered backups from Wolff (trust but verify, right?). Trigger pull could tow a trailer but accuracy was a chef's kiss 👨‍🍳💋 #VintageGuns #ClassicFirearms #HistoricPistols #MilSurp

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