SAR is pleased to present this journal by longtime Emma-Gee, Rick Cartledge about his experiences at Knob Creek.

It was with great pride that I took this article assignment from Small Arms Review. This writer has been under the weather for about two years. The twelve cylinder Packard is back. It could use a paint job, but the tires are new and the motor’s tuned. Many of the faithful readers have been terribly kind. In the following I shall return that kindness. I invite you once again to climb up on my running board and ride with me for a while. We will travel through four very special days in October. Nearly everyone agrees that the Fall ’97 Knob Creek Show and Shoot surpassed any that we’ve had for years. The weather and the people could not have been nicer.

I crossed the Salt River on I-65 about sunrise on Thursday morning, hit the exit and pulled to the red light at the top of the ramp. I swung across the bridge and stopped at the light by the entrance ramp to I-65. At this point we begin our journey. I looked toward Shepardsville, Kentucky. Beyond it stretched the mountains that lead to the Knob Creek Range. Shepardsville gave the South one of its most honored sons, Col. Philip Lightfoot Lee of the Orphan Brigade’s 2nd Kentucky. I found it fitting that Shepardsville’s cloud laden sky glowed grey and crimson, the colors of The Gallant Pelham. Later at Knob Creek Range I would view a new Rich Pugsley gun, a gun that all Southerners wish that John Pelham had fired.

While freshening up at the motel, I snapped on the news channel. The presenter waxed fondly about the Harvest Home Festival in New Albany. She introduced a local string band from the Louisville environs. The musicians cranked up with Bill Monroe’s ‘Uncle Pen’. As I motored up to the range house, Range Master Homer Saylor flagged me down. We shook hands. I told Homer about ‘Uncle Pen’ and stated it appeared we would have a great weekend. Homer agreed. We plan to go together one day to Rosine and pay our respects to Mr. Monroe. Homer and I both wore short sleeves. Short sleeved shirts became the dress du jour for all four days and nights. The presence of automatic weapons goes without saying.

Ola Amigos

I headed past the main line and around to the front of the range house. Twice a year this spot becomes the crossroads of the Title 2 world. Don Turnbull sounded the horn on his golf cart. I shook hands with the raconteur and master of the Boyes Rifle. We exchanged greetings. I brought him salutations from his good friend William Helmer, author of ‘Dillinger: the Untold Story’. Bill sent his regrets that he could not attend. He and Rick Mattix had just completed ‘The Public Enemies Almanac’ for Facts on File. Mr. Helmer experienced unexpected delays in Chicago and Rick was trailing some new Bonnie and Clyde story in Iowa.

While I searched for Paul Mahoney of Krinks, the prettiest mule driver in the Alabama Cavalry motored around the corner of the range house. She threw up her hand and I waved her over. She stopped her titanium taxi and accepted my contribution to the campfire. She safely bore it to the campsite in Kenny Sumner’s eighty acre camping field. I would later join them under St. Andrew’s Cross. We talked of distance guns and the election of the Scottish Parliament. We shall follow with great interest the developments north of Hadrian’s Wall. We send a heartfelt ‘Well done!’ to the children of William Wallace and Robert Roy MacGregor, as we are one in the same. Come springtime we will hoist a flagon and toast the tattoo on Sean Connery’s arm. It translates ‘Scotland Forever’.

On returning to the range house I found Paul Mahoney. Pauly said he had finished his post sample BREN in time for the shoot. He was on his way to get it. While I awaited Paul and the BREN, Beth and Glen Whittenberger strolled up and said hello. I first met Beth when she and Glen were dating. The week before Knob Creek, AMC ran a series of Film Noir greats. I taped most of them.
While watching the Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell classic ‘His Kind Of Woman’ I thought of Beth and Glen. About an hour before the movie debuted, the mail came. ‘The Thompson Collector News’ arrived and told the story of the ‘All Thompson Show and Shoot’ in August. The winners of the men’s and women’s shooting competition both answered to the name Whittenberger. Enough said.

Paul Mahoney sauntered out of the pole barn with the BREN gun thrown over his shoulder. He drew a crowd. BRENs have a tendency to do that. Mr. Mahoney gave us a good show. He asked us to find the receiver welds. There in the bright sunlight I could only find one. He showed us three more. Pauly stripped the receiver so that we could view the inside. Paul marveled at the skill that the Commonwealth machinists used to make the BREN. I marveled at Paul’s skill in putting one back together.

I had sent Paul a copy of the BREN gun book that Jim Allee prints at IDSA Books. Jim prints the Small Arms Identification Guides written by distinguished Australian gun writer, Mr. Ian Skinnerton. Pauly found the exploded diagrams and serial number sequences especially helpful. He considered Mr. Skinnerton’s book the best nine bucks he’d spent lately. Paul then took his BREN to his shooting slot and went to see Bob Landies for some magazines. We each departed to our separate ways.

I didn’t get far. Brian held out a friendly hand and we talked about the 1914 Hotchkiss article that we are working on. As we talked, we watched Mike Krotz and Bill Mitter unload a dewat Soviet 107mm recoilless from the Vietnam era. Just then, Jim Ballou dropped some web gear over my shoulder. ‘What’s that?’, he inquired. It appeared to be a World War I BAR gunner’s belt fitted for a wide looped .45 holster. Wrong! Jim stated that I held in my hand an original Colt Monitor commercial belt. A shrewd collector had found it up East. The collector brought it to the Knob Creek Shoot for a friend of his. Though he had already sold the rare belt, he lent it to Jim for inclusion in the BAR book. I told Jim that I had brought the Baby Face Nelson picture for the ‘In Unfriendly Hands’ section and would bring it to him later. Jim said thanks and went to photograph the Monitor belt. It is not without good reason that many of us eagerly await Jim Ballou’s book.

Show Time

A group of friends motored up I-65 past the Gene Snyder on Thursday night. We zeroed in on the Outback Steak House off Wendy Lane. Our table talked automatic weapons, the next table discussed the battle rifle match, and the table behind us talked suppressors. Outback treated us as cordially as the Derby crowd. Good to their word, the restaurant enforced ‘No Rules’. We stayed too late enjoying the stimulating conversation.

We all looked a little bleary eyed when we met Friday morning. All of us arrived early, anticipating the opening of the gun show and putting some brass on the ground. While we waited, a man with a confident stride walked toward us. He carried two trophies. I had seen the impressive trophies displayed in the range house on Thursday morning. The sponsors bought large third place trophies. The sizes went up from there. This man carried a very large one and the biggest of all — ‘Aggregate Top Shooter’.

He introduced himself as Malcome Davis of Huntsville, Alabama. We talked shooting for a while. He then noticed the ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ shirt I wore, presented by the fine citizens of Dexter, Iowa. I told Malcome that I wrote historical articles on Title 2 for the Small Arms Review. I asked him if he knew that he carried the same name, though spelled differently, as the Tarrant County, Texas Deputy killed by Clyde Barrow and W. D. Jones. Malcome replied that he did. He laughed. Malcome then told the story of the first date he had with the woman who would become his wife. He took her to see ‘Bonnie and Clyde’. With shooting and knowledge like that, the “Alabama Cavalry” may be engraving Malcome an invitation at this very hour. We shook hands at about the time we heard Kenny Sumner on the loud speaker.

Kenny announced the opening of the show. The crowd poured into the pole barn. For those who have never had the privilege (and it is a privilege) to stroll through the gun show at Knob Creek Range, the following will attempt to give you a sense of it. To say that weapons, accouterments, books, videos, and RKIs fill up the place states the case too simply. Specifics tell the tale. We will have to dodge all of the Lafette tripods that march out of the pole barn like the mop brigade in ‘Fantasia’ — 34s, 42s, Yugos, and what Bill Mitter humorously calls ‘Braunsweigers’, the optically equipped Bundeswiers sold by Robert Landies. The following describes some of the many interesting exhibits seen at this gun show.

Kent Lomont displayed one of the rare 1898 brass Argentine Maxims. This gun was very similar to the one Bob Landies displayed last spring. I confess an unmendable weakness for the venerable Maxim gun. The ’98 tops my list. An American genius designed this gun. Master machinists breathed life into this magnificent weapon during the twilight of the Guilded Age. Mr. Lomont kindly field stripped the top of the gun and handed over the pieces. The lock reminds one as much of a Swiss watch as it does a gun part. The brass D handles pass for a work of art in their own right. The safety looks like a brass ellipse bonded to a thick popsicle stick. When flipped up for firing, one views a series of concentric brass ellipses cradling raised brass letters that exclaim ‘Fuego’. The whole gun reminded me of Tom Berringer’s famous line from the ‘Rough Riders’ by John Milius — ‘Indian Bob, kill the German!’ Kent once remarked that if they told him he could have only one gun and that was a Maxim gun, he wouldn’t be too unhappy. Though I would plead for a Thompson, this writer agrees.

I moved on to the book and video tables to search for several items. Friends in Georgia sent me with a list. Alabama Arms sold a very fine video on the Browning guns. A friend had recently purchased a nice DLO A-4. He wanted some visual instruction. On viewing the Alabama Arms video, my friend stated that he found it very interesting. He stated it wasn’t fancy, just very helpful. Alabama Arms now debuts a video on the Swedish K. Several dealers featured video material on a wide range of interesting subjects. To those new to the Title 2 world, some of the most informative videos come from Knob Creek Range. For those who wish to know more of KCR’s biannual event, I recommend Fall 1996 and Spring 1997.

On another table I found a book seller of very discerning taste. Among his fine wares, he offered ‘The Devil’s Paintbrush’ by Dolf Goldsmith and Jim Allee’s quality reprint of ‘A Rifleman Went To War’ by Herbert McBride. I still consider Mr. Goldsmith’s book on the Maxim gun to be the finest gun book on a single gun by a single author. Tracie Hill called me during the formative days of ‘Thompson: the American Legend’. He asked me to write for him. The first question I asked was, ‘Do you have a copy of The Devil’s Paintbrush?’. Tracie replied that he did. I stated to him that Dolf had set the bar two notches higher and we should strive to reach it. Tracie agreed. The rest is history. ‘A Rifleman Went To War’ speaks for itself. Along with T. E. Lawrence’s ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ and ‘The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu (the Hoosier warrior Bobby Knight’s favorite book), my family considers McBride required reading. Capt. Herbert McBride brings us to ‘White Feather’.

Mike Waterhouse came carrying a white 20 round box of ammo. Mike knew I wasn’t a distance shooter but thought I might want a box of the ammo he now carries at his table. As usual, the knowledgeable Mr. Waterhouse proved correct. Dennis Duphily had returned from overseas and I had run into him outside the pole barn. I remembered something wonderful when I read the name on Mike’s white ammo box — Carlos Hathcock II.

Several years ago, Carlos Hathcock came to the Knob Creek Range as the guest of Dennis Duphily, and Dan Shea. By the time I got to Carlos, he had run out of his sniper books. Neither his health nor mine is what it once was. I shook the hand of the man who embodies the phrase ‘Every inch a Marine’ and promised to return. I found a copy of ‘A Rifleman Went To War’ and brought it to him. I asked, ‘Do you know this book soldier?’. Carlos cracked a knowing smile and replied, ‘That’s the bible.’ I explained to Carlos that my young nephew had a tough time getting into this world. I asked Carlos to write something for Liam in Herbert McBride’s book. Carlos did.

I don’t shoot well enough to know how good the ammunition is. What I do know is this. If Carlos Hathcock put his name on it, it’s good enough for me. At the end of that day several years ago, Dennis and I watched as Carlos Hathcock departed. As he motored away Dennis said, ‘I hope that Carlos knew how loved and respected he was by every one who met him.’ I told Dennis that I was confident that he knew. With the white box from Mike Waterhouse, I am equally confident of something else. Carlos Hathcock would find welcome at the Knob Creek Range at any time. I hope that in some fall or some springtime that one of America’s most beloved soldiers might find the time to come and, once again, be among us. Should he wish to come on short notice, he should bring his books and T-shirts. I am confident that there will always be a place for him at the S.A.R. table. Dan Shea and Jeff Zimba back me up on this.

I then went to Jonathan Arthur Ciener’s table where I always expect to see something new. Jon rarely fails to have some innovative new product or variation on display. This time, Jonathan smiled broadly as he showed me the ‘Platinum Cup’, his new 22 conversion for the 1911 pattern government automatics. Jonathan stated that he responded to his customers’ requests for a full featured upper. To his 22 slide, he added a number of custom features. He first fabricated a raised serrated flat top slide. Jon then inlayed a micro adjustable Millet sight. He augmented the Millet rear sight with an accentuated serrated front sight. Jon then added angled cocking slots and tightened the whole thing up. He then finished it with the kind of quality that people have come to expect from Jon Ciener. Some years ago I shot with Dave Rosenfield and Mary Ann Sanborn, they of the famed ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ Vickers guns. Dave assisted Jonathan in evaluating some of the first Ciener prototypes. Dave gave me a test drive and it functioned flawlessly. Next spring I hope to try one of the new ones.

Knob Creek takes shooting seriously, but it isn’t all serious. The tellers told these tales better. The following tells two jokes and of a funny conversation. Married lady to girlfriend, ‘I got a machine gun for my husband.’ Girlfriend replied, ‘Good trade!’ The second one goes like this. Married guy to his buddy, ‘My wife said she’d leave me if I bought another machine gun. I’m sure gonna miss her.’ A dealer told me he knew he’d arrived when his first three Christmas cards came from lawyers. I told the dealer of the brilliant novel ‘Primal Fear’ written by fellow Georgian William Diehl. In the opening of the movie made from this book, the fine actor Richard Gere skillfully delivers a couple of lines about law school and the justice system through his character Martin Vail. We won’t print them here. You will have to rent the video (Ladies beware). Before the title page in his fine book, Bill Diehl quotes Charles-Louis de Secondat from 1742 writings relevant to 1986. Among those to whom the Founding Fathers looked to for inspiration, they listed the Baron de Montesquieu. The writer from Georgia and the Baron from Bordeaux provide some very interesting reading.

Though many tables presented interesting wares, I will close this section by telling the reader of one table in particular. This table instructs the reader on what to look for at KCR. It also helps the newcomer to avoid the same mistake that I made on the first trip to the Creek. You will see a dealer with a single table and might pass him up for a dealer with ten. As I maneuvered toward the back of the pole barn, an astute collector waved his hand. He need not have thrown up a flag. I had already spotted the ginny FBI Thompson case crouched on the front corner of his table. He had acquired some rare items from an old time Class 3 dealer who was now retiring. He kindly allowed me to examine them while giving me some valuable lessons.

Among the original Colt Thompson mags, the collector displayed several mint double dates and a shot mag. Next to the mags sat four boxes of rare ammunition. One contained 50 rounds of Thompson shot shells. The second box contained .45 Auto CF cartridges marked ‘Adapted for the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun’. The third unopened box contained Western Super X .45 Auto .230 grain Metal Piercing Lubaloy. The fourth box held .45 Auto tracer from the Frankford Arsenal. This same table had earlier yielded the previously mentioned commercial Monitor belt for another astute collector and Jim Ballou. Needless to say, several knowledgeable collectors with deeper pockets than mine went through this table like a plague of locusts. I deeply appreciated viewing these rare items and learning something from my knowledgeable friend. This man and his table make the following point. If you ignore a single eight foot table, you might just pass up the mother lode.

The Writers Meeting

The Usual Suspects assembled at Mark’s Feed Store on Dixie Highway in Louisville. We rolled in about 8:30 Friday night. The aroma of barbeque filled the parking lot. We each selected from the menu and finished the meal with buttermilk pie. The meeting room at Mark’s gave the tell tale sign of good food. As the servings moved down the table, the conversation died. Before we could escape and find sofas to lie down on, Dan Shea opened the meeting.

First and foremost, Dan gave a glowing report on the acceptance of our magazine. In the months to come, readers will know the full impact of this acceptance. Jeff Zimba reported a steady stream of subscribers flowing past the S.A.R. tables and moving to the Gun Owners of America tables next to ours. Mr. Larry Pratt personally manned the G.O.A. tables and greeted one and all. Holly Gifford reported many favorable comments from readers who viewed the first issue at Knob Creek. A motion was made to commend Dan Shea and the Moose Lake staff for the fine job that they had done. The reader should know that the staff started flat footed. In four months they assembled the magazine. We still have some kinks to iron out. That being said, when the first issue hit the streets we knew that we had something to be proud of.

Jeff Zimba passed out some writing assignments. The book authors then gave their reports. Frank Iannamico stated that his STEN gun book neared completion. Though not yet chipped in stone, a mighty pile of rock dust lies below the granite slabs. Moose Lake will launch Frank’s book as the first of many offerings. Jim Ballou then spoke about the BAR book. He echoed Frank’s comments on the fine cooperation that museums and private collectors gave to their projects. Jim then passed around the cover photo. Though Jim keeps this close to the vest, suffice it to say that the readers will find it simply stunning. Jim had even arranged for the breakfast table decorations in the range house cafeteria on Saturday morning — BAR prototypes. With S.A.R. at KCR, if you snooze you lose.

Dan then turned to the suppressor writers and scheduling the upcoming match. The previous trials generated great interest and keen competition. Many dealers delayed table setups and ran down to the lower range to watch.

Simply put, our suppressor writers put their share of brass on the ground. They are just very quiet about it.

After the meeting Dan and I ran into each other in the motel parking lot. He asked how I thought the meeting had gone. Before answering, I thought of all the bright and enthusiastic men and women who gathered at Mark’s Feed Store. I knew we had a winner. I stated that this meeting didn’t resemble ones that any of us had ever attended. Each person in that room brought honed skills to a new magazine. We all stood together on the starting line. In ten years, we might all look back and be amazed at the race we had run.

We are unlike any other publication. If the reader looks for sky diving from a Piper Cub, he should apply elsewhere. If the reader wants to stand on the cutting edge, look out the back door of a flying boxcar, and hurtle out into the blackened night — he has found his magazine. This is not to say that we don’t make mistakes. We do. We won’t make mistakes on some dusty library shelf. We will make our mistakes standing knee deep in a brass pile.

‘Build It and They Will Come’

Kevin Costner filmed his motion picture ‘The War’ in my home town several years ago. Mr. Costner showed himself to be personable, accessible, and gracious. With all due respect to Mr. Costner (and this writer has a great deal of respect for him), there is one thing that ranks as more American than baseball — Freedom. Legitimate ownership and uses of Title 2 weapons serve as an index of freedom. The camaraderie between free Americans brought about the Knob Creek Show and Shoot. Readers who have journeyed to Westpoint, Kentucky will fully appreciate what they are about to read. Those who have never seen the Creek will still find the following interesting.

In an article for another magazine, this writer told of the changes in the Creek from the time when he first started coming more than ten years ago. Last April while dining on some fine steaks in Louisville, a friend who preceded this writer by more than ten years told his story. I ran into him this fall at Bob Landies’ tables while we looked over some of Ohio Ordnance’s semi auto only BARs. I asked Bob about the new .308 models and he stated they worked fine. Bob then announced the 1918 classic semi autos. Ohio Ordnance will build 300 limited editions of the famed blue steel guns with their finely checkered wood. Could there be a ‘scattergun’ replica in someone’s future? Only time will tell.

We then moved around to the back side of the table and took up a position by a beautiful 08 Maxim gun. We looked over the sled mount as Bob told us about the gun. This gun showed fine attention to detail as did many of the excellent belt feds offered by the dealers at this shoot. As Mike Krotz joined us, I asked my friend to again relate his story. He called off a list of the early shooters. We knew the names of them all. Just as he started telling the story of how he first came to the Creek, Mike and Bob had to excuse themselves to wait on customers. My friend and I talked one on one.

As my friend strolled through a midwest gun show in 1976, he ran into two known machine gunners. One of them stated that they planned to go to Kentucky to put some brass on the ground. They asked if he would like to come with them. They got an affirmative response. The two gunners instructed my friend to awaken early on Saturday. They would pick him up on the way. The adventurous three rolled up in front of the range house about one o’clock on Saturday afternoon. About a dozen guys hammered away on the main line. As the three unpacked their guns, Kenny Sumner came out and shook their hands. They asked if they could shoot with the rest of the shooters. Kenny explained that they would need shooting slots. Kenny pointed toward the line and said ‘Take those three slots over there that are next to each other.’ They still have them.

My friend explained that no vendors set up shop until about 1978. They displayed their wares under hospital tents. With apologies to Ted Nugent, the M.A.S.H. unit vendors presented ‘Intensities In Tent Cities’. The Knob Creek Show and Shoot was up and running. As we reminisced, Mr. Biff Sumner walked by. We waved to Mr. Biff and asked him to join us. Biff Sumner then gave us the story of how it all began.

The Sumner family bought the land from the government some years ago. Biff Sumner owned an automatic weapon and knew several friends who owned them. In 1963, Mr. Sumner invited five of his friends to come put brass on the ground. He explained that an old gun testing range stood on some of his property. The shooters began using the old range. Word spread from friend to friend through the Class 3 community. Each year a few more hearty souls showed up for good shooting and conversation. They camped on the spot where the Waffle Man now sets up his booth. As the vendor ranks began to swell, the campers moved to the other side of the range house. That is where this writer first started camping.

In 1975, Mr. Biff Sumner turned the shoot over to his son Kenny. Kenny, with the help of a lot of dedicated people, built the Knob Creek Show and Shoot into what it is today. Someone not familiar with the Title 2 world would not believe that Knob Creek today came from six people. They do not understand that automatic weapons have protected our freedom. They cannot comprehend that legitimate ownership of them serves as an index of that freedom. Many of us who come to the Creek know the following above all else. Those who harbor shallow views on individual freedom lead poorer and emptier lives than we do.

In 1963, five men looked for a place to put brass on the ground and be free. A sixth man provided it. With due respect to Mr. Costner, the following simply states how the Knob Creek Show and Shoot came to be. Biff Sumner built it. Kenny Sumner expanded it. And, oh, how they came!

The Endless Line

I first came to Knob Creek for the guns and still do. I now come more for the people, some of the best this earth has to offer. That being said, when Saturday afternoon rolls around I am ready for two things, a lit cigar and a loaded machine gun. Those who have viewed a certain picture in ‘Thompson: the American Legend’ know that I come by this in an honest fashion. We now go up on Knob Creek’s main shooting line. We shall discuss some of the wonderful guns being shot there. We will tell of it when the line goes hot. The reader then will join in conversation with some of the knowledgeable people who congregate when the barrels cool.

These serious men and women have graciously allowed me to be among them for the past ten years. I know all by face and most by name. As most of them know that I handled hundreds of names per week before retirement, they forgive me when I stumble. In the following you will meet some of them and learn from them, as do I. In this section they will pass along some words of wisdom. They will also tell some stories that the reader will find interesting.

When I first went through the orange gate, I sought out Mr. Irv Kahn. I have known this man for more than ten years and known of him for more than twenty. I never fail to learn something when speaking with him. I brought him salutations from Donna and Bill Taylor, mutual Class 3 friends from Georgia. I then got some good advice on ammunition for a friend’s BREN gun. We then talked about the thundering A-4 that Mr. Kahn has hammered for as long as I have known him. Early on, Mr. Kahn gave me some of the best advice I have ever received. As more and more people enter the Class 3 world, remiss would it be not to restate some of his sage words.

You should learn before you buy. No truer words were ever spoken about Title 2 weapons. Many first time buyers purchase guns that they have heard of or guns that their friends told them about. They buy without ever having fired an automatic weapon or without knowing much about their care and feeding. At Knob Creek, dealers on the main line and the lower range offer guns to rent. For a reasonable fee you can test drive a number of different guns. Brass put on the ground by your own hand proves to be amazingly instructive. A $100 investment can save a $3000 mistake. Remember, you will buy retail and sell wholesale. A $200 tax awaits you at the door. Mr. Kahn simply suggests that the buyer try to make his purchase intelligently not emotionally. Neither of us claims to have always done it that way. Most dealers want you to be happy with your purchase. It means that you will probably do business with them again.

Secondly, Mr. Kahn advises to always buy good ammunition and clean your weapon thoroughly after shooting. He once asked why anyone would spend $5000 for a gun and try to save $2 on a box of ammunition. When he made that statement we were discussing the bulged barrel on someone else’s Colt Thompson wrecked by some gun show reloads. Bad ammunition can seriously harm a fine gun as well as its owner. For those new to the Title 2 world I would expound a bit on Mr. Kahn’s words. You will not shoot as much ammo as you initially think that you will. You will just shoot concentrated bunches. Over a year, you will probably not run much more ammunition through a Thompson than you do through the 1911 you own. If you seriously shoot your handgun, it will balance out. Always buy good ammunition and clean your gun properly.

I then went to see Mike Free. I congratulated Mike on his latest triumph. Mike and Tracie Hill have won three best in shows with their Thompson exhibit. Their latest victory came at NRA Show in Pittsburgh, PA. Fellow writer Don Thomas and his son Paul came over. They joined in the spirited conversation. Don, the historian for the Military Arms Corporation from inception to the sale, now crafts a book on the MACs with renowned writer Tom Swearengen. As we talked, Chief Range Officer Homer Saylor ran the safety drill though the loud speaker. ‘Safety is the first thing, safety is the second thing, safety is the third thing, safety is the only thing!’ I knew the barrels would heat up soon. I headed back down the line to shoot with Ron and Gary Wilson, the Whittenbergers, and Ken Snyder.

Three shooting sessions later I made some notes for the readers. The unmistakable whir of a mini gun caught my ear off to the left. I went down to investigate. There I found the unmistakable craftsmanship of Rich Pugsley and the craftsman himself. Rich had mounted a mini gun on a beautiful underslung Gatling gun carriage. Rich kindly assisted the Small Arms Review with the article on his unique gun. (see S.A.R. January 1998). Closer still stood Frank Iannamico firing yet another STEN. Frank volunteered an aerial photograph of the Knob Creek Range taken during an Iroquois flying over. Frank stated that the only two people who enjoyed the flight more were Kathy Lomont and a comely young lady named Andrea

On the way back to the shooting slot, I finally met Bill Vallerand. I have known Mr. Vallerand by telephone for many years. I finally got to shake the hand of this most knowledgeable and amiable gentleman. We talked of Maxim guns, BRENs, Land Rovers, and the Vincent Black Shadow. Near us Jim Ballou fired an interesting machine pistol. Jim stated that he just had to break from BAR research to test this interesting gun. Next to us, the Great Lakes Barrett gun thundered away.

Bob Allen and John Rust deftly handled the 82A1 in all three rifle positions and then hip shot it. These men weren’t playing Rambo. They skillfully drove the storied veteran of Desert Storm in a professional and soldierly manner. Other than the marksmanship of Gary Wilson, watching these men safely and skillfully handle the big rifle provided some of the most interesting moments of the Night Shoot on Saturday night. Gary Wilson hit a number of the designated targets during the night shoot. As we say in our part of the country, ‘Gary’s shooting made his father proud!’ As those who come to the Creek know all too well, automatic weapons are a generational thing.

The Range Officers added some thrilling special effects to the designated targets. When hit, the targets threw star busts into the night sky. Between the fourth and last round of night shooting, the flame thrower contingent put on a spectacular show. First, they crossed two flames and then three. They then demonstrated different effects with several types of fuels. For their grand finale they marshaled ten flame throwers and lit up the night sky. The large assembled crowd spontaneously broke out in a thunderous applause. The fifth firing round featured tracers. Need we say more.

One of the people that I would drive to see whether guns fired or not is Mr. Ken Snyder. My valued friend Mr. Snyder stands as one of the elder statesmen of the Class 3 world. He does so not because of his age. He instructs us because of his knowledge that extends in depth to World War II. Several years ago, Mr. Snyder and I sat in the shade of the Navy Arms truck courtesy of Mr. Paul Reed. We discussed John Browning and the reliable guns that he left us. I still find it interesting that so many Class 2 professionals continue to bring at least one Browning gun when they come to the Creek. Mr. Snyder then summed up the genius of Mr. Browning. He captured John Moses Browning in two sentences. ‘Those line guns probably hold side plates from twenty different manufacturers. No two side plates are just alike, but all the guns work!’

During the down times, we gathered in small groups and talked of guns and gunman. Mr. Snyder introduced his friend Jack Riggle who journeyed from New Mexico to join us. I asked Mr. Snyder to convey my regards to Bruce McCurdy, maker of fine Pennsylvania style flintlocks in Maryland. He said that he would and promised to invite Bruce back again to the next shoot. Mr. Snyder then spoke eloquently of his departed friend Daniel Musgrave. Mr. Musgrave left this world several years ago. Daniel Musgrave wrote intelligently and well. The Class 3 community is poorer for his passing. Mr. Snyder called him a gentleman’s gentleman who did fine research and writing for George Chinn among others. He left us with his testament ‘German Machineguns’ still in print. I commented that I had obtained a copy of that book from LMO several years ago but, regrettably, had never got to meet its fine writer.

John Tibbetts of John’s Guns came by with the Black Maria. John’s gun topped the field at the suppressor trials in May. His victory attracted a lot of attention, some of it from the Navy SEALs. John stated that he just concluded an in depth interview with author Lawrence Meyers. I told Mr. Snyder that I had examined this suppressed pistol earlier in the day. I suggested that he check the balance of it. I count it as quite a rare day when I can show something new to Mr. Snyder. As I went with John back toward the exit gate I ran into two escapees from Gun Hell. I stopped to interview them.

Volker and Heiko Stibbe flew in from Cologne, Germany to enjoy the freedom at Knob Creek Range. The two brothers quickly hooked up with two savvy collectors. The brothers Stibbe had the time of their lives. They fired a number of weapons and praised them all. With little instruction, they skillfully disassembled several weapons and assisted in cleaning them. I think they even enjoyed carrying the sandbags for the belt feds. These two knowledgeable young men then explained the gun laws of their country.

No one may possess a full auto unless they possessed it before 1972. They can never fire them or take them outside their houses. Every firearm of any kind must be kept in a safe. Only police and politicians may carry guns. No one can possess replicas or even toys that resemble guns. If a person moves from one house to another, they must obtain a permit and a police escort. Absent the police, the owner must hire expensive private security to transport the weapon. On hearing all of this, one of the other gunners cracked wise, ‘Are you sure you guys aren’t from New York?’ The brothers’ reply sounded like a number between eight and ten.

They thanked us all for the kindness shown them. We invited them to come again. Heiko and Volker commented that they would like to return but the trip was very expensive. From the smiles on their faces and the looks in their eyes, they will find a way to meet the expense. This writer suspects that the brothers Stibbe plan another daring escape from Gun Hell at this very hour. Volker later wrote to this writer and asked that the following be expressed on his behalf and that of his brother Heiko. ‘We would like to use this opportunity to thank all the other people we met at this weekend for their kind assistance and help whenever we had a question.’ From half a world away, these two German brothers had learned the true meaning of the Creek in less than one day. Both I and the fine men who befriended them remain confident about the following. We shall see Volker and Heiko again.

A very respected friend joined our gathering. He told the following amusing after dinner story. This sequence of events comes from Knob Creek’s storied past. Neal Smith brought a quad 50 rig to the Creek. Terry Williams served as assistant gunner. They set it up on the main line. My friend went down to assist them with setting it up and checking the guns. Just as all the guns checked out, a news cameraman walked up. The news man asked if he could film the quad rig firing. Neal and Terry told him yes. The cameraman walked up right by the muzzle and shouldered his camera. My friend walked up behind the cameraman to offer some helpful advice. He stated that the cameraman had taken a safe position regarding the bullets. However, my friend advised him that he shouldn’t stand so close to the muzzles.

The news man became argumentative. He insisted on holding his position. My friend threw up his hands and said ‘Okay!’ My friend backed away to a less exposed position. Homer Saylor then declared the line hot. Neal Smith hit the solenoids. The staccato sound of the quad 50s filled the air. The muzzle blast knocked the cameraman flat on his derriere. The camera fell on top of him. Our friend then fought to control his laughter. He stated that it was the only time during that entire afternoon that all four guns worked together. Dazed, dusty, but unhurt, the news man learned a valuable lesson. When one of the older RKIs offers some advice, one might be wise to heed it.

Adios Amigo

We continued to shoot all day Sunday. We had enjoyed four days of 80 degrees and no rain. My Knob Creek jacket never left the front seat where I threw it Wednesday night. Don and Paul Thomas stayed an extra day and got in some extra shooting. We had all but run out of ammunition when Homer finally closed the range at 5 o’clock. We all shook hands, promising to return in springtime.

We have pulled out of the Knob Creek Range. We have now reached Shepardsville. I must cross the Salt River and you must go your own way. It is about time for you, the reader, to get off my running board. I hope that you enjoyed the ride. You have spent some quality time in our very interesting world. You have seen much and learned some things. You have met some of the people who still teach me. Before you go, I will leave you with a parting story and a valediction.

A man from California first came to Knob Creek Range in the pride of his late forties. I have seen him more than once. He stood behind the main firing line and openly wept. For the first time in his life he had seen completely free Americans. He saw America as it used to be, and in this place still is. As you are reading this magazine, you are an individual who succeeds. You have done for others. Before you leave this earth, we beseech you to do something for yourself.

Come plant your feet on the free soil of Kentucky. Come drink your fill of the river of freedom that flows beneath the cordite clouds. If you cannot come and bathe in the water, we will understand. For those of you who cannot be with us, this magazine makes a commitment to you. The stalwart staff of the Small Arms Review will kneel by the waters for you. Each and every month, our dedicated writers will fill and pass you a canteen. Upon that you may rely.

An old hand once remarked that gun knowledge is knowledge gained over time. Always remember that knowledge of automatic weapons take longer than that. Before you go, I will leave with a parting phrase known wherever the Emma Gees gather. When someone says it to you, you will know that you have become part of the good company of gunmen. In Atlanta, Bangor, Seattle, and Malibu we add this same valediction when bidding farewell to a respected friend. As we part company, you must step off my running board. You will stand by the entrance ramp to I-65 where all of this began.. I’m going to drop it in low gear and leave you now. Maybe we’ll see you in springtime. Adios amigo, and God speed you on your journey. Not to worry, I have not forgotten the valediction. We say it like this: ‘See you at the Creek!’

Fall in Central Kentucky; mild weather, the leaves are beginning to turn their autumn colors: just beautiful. Approximately thirty miles south of Louisville at the Knob Creek Range in West Point, the smell of campfires, burning gun powder, accompanied by the sounds of machine gun fire and a Huey helicopter flying over: simply outstanding! The weather was very pleasant for the 2010 fall shoot; temperatures in the mid to high 70s, clear blue skies, lots of sunshine and accompanying dust that comes with dry weather. The dust can be annoying, but it’s still better than mud, which at the Creek is usually one or the other.

The Show

One of the big attractions at Knob Creek is the huge gun show, located inside the pole barn and the surrounding out buildings. All the major dealers in the country set up at the show, and whatever NFA or military related item you are looking for can probably be found there. Ammunition was plentiful this year and in most cases reasonably priced. By Sunday, many of the vendors were sold out of the more popular calibers. Also reappearing after a prolonged shortage, were reloading components to include reasonably priced primers and powder.

Some unique items were being offered in the show, including Dan Richardson’s M1903 Springfield rifle fitted with a very rare Pederson Device. The Pederson Device was a top secret “wonder weapon” developed during World War I to convert the bolt-action ’03 rifle into a semiautomatic weapon firing a short .30 caliber pistol cartridge. The device fed from a vertical 40-round magazine that extended upward from the receiver. The war ended before the Pederson devices were fielded and all were ordered to be destroyed shortly after the war ended. The Pederson Device and rifle are for sale and if interested call Dan at (423) 596-4180. Mark Mann who does business as “The Rifleman” had a pair of rare Broomhandle pistols on his table, an original Chinese made .45 caliber model and a German-made slabside – a large ring hammer C96 produced for the 1899 Italian Navy contract. For more information contact Mark at (478) 784-2767. For MAC fans John Thedford of NFA Firearms, had an original Powder Springs .380 caliber, Ingram Model 11 submachine gun, serial number 60, and an RPB operational hardcase on his table. NFA Firearms (239)-200-5600.

Part of the draw to the “Crick” for many is to become reacquainted with old friends and make new ones. Many new and familiar faces were present including Knob Creek regular, renowned author Dolf Goldsmith. In addition, Linda Farmer and her son Jeremiah were there. Many “old timers” will remember Linda from the days when she and her late husband J.D. Farmer, founded and ran Hard Times Armory. Linda was also a part of the National Firearms Association that was started in 1987, to represent the NFA community after the 1986 machine gun manufacturing ban.

Many new, innovative firearms products were seen at the show that included the Tactical Brass Bag by TacticalBrassRecovery.com. The high capacity, collapsible brass catcher bag (holds up to 240 5.56 cases) is designed to be used with an AR-15 style weapon fitted with a Picatinny rail system. The brass catcher does not harm the weapon’s finish or interfere with any optics or mounts. The folks at MGI were present with their innovative modular upper and lower receivers for the AR-15/M16 family of small arms. The MGI modular system makes the popular rifles easily adaptable to numerous calibers and magazines in minutes by changing out the magazine well and barrel. The company also offers a number of related upgrade products for the rifles including a quick-change barrel system. MGI can be reached at (207) 945-5441 or visit their website at www.MGImilitary.com. Troy Edmund of the BarrelXChange was offering his latest innovation, a 76-round drum magazine for the 5.45 AK-74 rifle based on the easy to load “Chinese” pattern drums. For more information on the AK-74 drum and other products visit their website at www.barrelxchange.com. The folks from the Shotgun News and Small Arms Review magazine were both at the show handing out complimentary issues of their respective publications.

Sub Gun Matches

One the other side of the Knob Creek facility, the subgun matches were held with a course designed to delight and challenge the shooters. Over the years the skill level of the shooters has increased dramatically. Just observing the finesse and accuracy of many of the competitors is enjoyable, their skills honed by many hours of practice preparing for the semiannual event. Top shooter/fastest time was Andy Blaschik using a Beretta PM12, competing in the open bolt/optic sights category. Andy’s time was a blazing 45.78 seconds. The second best time of the day was 61.56 seconds recorded by Todd Louis with an UZI, competing in the open bolt/iron sights group. Jeremy Parker took top honors in both the closed bolt/iron sights and closed bolt/optic sight classes using a 9mm M16 with times of 73.71 and 69.29 respectively. Top female shooter was Joyce Carrere with a Port Said (Swedish-K) in the open bolt/iron sights class with a time of 131.92 seconds.

Machine Gun Rentals

Following the trail to the opposite side of the subgun match range, is the machine gun rental range, where spectators, for a modest fee, are afforded the chance to fire their choice of weapons from a wide variety of popular machine guns.

The Huey Helicopter

Up near the KCR campground area, the folks from the American Huey 369th Organization flew in from Peru, Indiana to offer Creek attendees rides in their Vietnam era Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter number 70-16369. The official name of the Bell helicopter is the Iroquois, but it became better known by its nickname “Huey” derived from its model designation UH-1 (Utility Helicopter). The sight and unique sound of the Huey made it an indelible icon of the Vietnam War. Huey 369 was originally assigned to the 498th Medical Company where it was first utilized as a Medevac Air Ambulance or “Dustoff” aircraft during the Vietnam War. The Huey helicopter has been credited with saving the lives of many battlefield casualties by quickly evacuating wounded troops out of harm’s way to rear area medical facilities for treatment.

The Firing Line

The firing line was bristling with machine guns and small-arms of every description, including several of the crowd-pleasing miniguns and cannons. Despite the increase in price and decrease in availability of ammunition experienced in recent times, it was certainly not evident by the amount fire being put on the targets downrange. Knob Creek range personal kept the shooters supplied with numerous targets to include vehicles, appliances and boats… rigged with explosives. Diligent KCR range officers were present to keep everyone safe. The night shoot, which is like a fireworks display on steroids, was awesome as usual with the sight and sound of thousands of tracers, incendiary rounds and huge explosions lighting up the Kentucky sky. The Saturday night shoot can only be described as exhilarating, and something that one just doesn’t grow tired of seeing.

Other Area Attractions

While visiting the Knob Creek Range there are other interesting things to see in the surrounding area. The Fort Knox Army base “Home of Armor” is just southwest of Knob Creek on the Dixie Highway (route 31W) near the city of Radcliff. For visitors, the facility features the General George S. Patton Museum and the United States Gold Bullion Depository. Unfortunately, the Patton museum is currently being down-sized and many of the exhibits are being transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. Despite the change, there are still a number of interesting displays. On the way to Fort Knox there are numerous surplus stores scattered along the Dixie Highway. Traveling north back from Fort Knox on the Dixie Highway, just a few miles past Route 44 that leads to the Knob Creek range, is Mark’s Feed Store located in Valley Station. Mark’s is famous for their outstanding barbecue rib dinners and southern hospitality and is a favorite eatery of many Knob Creek shooters and vendors.

The Knob Creek shoot and show is a semiannual event held in April and October. If you are interested in attending there are more details on their website at http://www.knobcreekrange.com/ as well as a list of area motels. Be advised that motel reservations need to be made well in advance of the event. The Knob Creek spring shoot is scheduled for April 8, 9 and 10, 2011. Eye and ear protection is highly recommended.

Except for those moments when suppressed weapons are given center stage when the line is hot, it is very loud. Those who have gone to Knob Creek several times, after a while, come to be able to identify certain arms by the sound of their firing. Not just the volume (loudness), but the characteristic sound of its cyclic rate. A classic German MG42, fast as they are, won’t be confused with a throaty burst from one of the several miniguns in attendance. And the steady, Hammer of Thor sound of the big M2 .50 BMG “Ma Deuce” is easy to pick out of the cacophony. Speaking of cyclic rate, that is the very thing when discussing the automatic weapons at Knob Creek. One might say that the recreational machine gunners are engaged in a kind of durability testing of their guns there. For many, the definition of fun is shooting the longest burst possible given the subject gun’s magazine capacity or ability to pull the weight of long lengths of belted ammunition. And why not? The main line at Knob Creek is as much as a proving ground of sorts, as it is a place to recycle ammunition back into the Earth on the 350+ yard range. Arguably, a fair amount of learning occurs on the firing line; things discovered, or rediscovered, about weapons, ammunition, and even how they were used. All based on the empirical information gathered while having fun.

All of this can be watched as closely as you please from behind the fence that separates the shooters from the spectators. There are even a few sets of small bleachers to sit in relative comfort. A popular spectacle is the night shoot, where, when weather permits, tracers, many with incendiary tips, are sent by the hundreds and thousands downrange in a glorious orgy of laser-like streaks of light and flame. Seeing this is impressive and also educational if you care to watch the incredible, crazy bounces and ricochets of the projectiles downrange.

Competitive Shooting
The main line isn’t the only shooting that goes on at Knob Creek. One of the most popular events is the subgun match. Competitive shooters from all over come to test their mettle against others, and the clock. Run quite professionally and safely by an experienced group of volunteers, the submachine gun shoot is actually just one of several contests offered. There is a practical pistol match, an assault rifle match, the old military bolt action match for the Luddites, a shotgun match, and the aggregate match that combines the assault, practical pistol and subgun matches.

Further, there is the lower range to shoot at too. There, the visitor to KCR can shoot their own gun that they brought as well as renting some interesting guns, usually buying time by the magazine full or belt. Some renting is also available on the main line as well. The lower range is a nice feature as the waiting list to get onto the main line is currently 10-15 years.

Buy, Sell, Trade…Gawk!
Knob Creek is also one of the premier NFA related gun shows in the USA. For many, this is the primary reason to come. Not only can you shop for almost anything NFA related, but it is common to be able to try out your item of interest prior to handing over the cash: no small advantage these days. It is a thrill just to walk down the aisles under the pole barn’s roof. Museum quality pieces, whether for sale or just show, are often “right there”, in front of you. How often will the opportunity to stand directly next to a 37mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon occur? To gaze at its mechanism, see its five huge barrels waiting for a chance to fire again?

The significance of the gun show portion can be measured another way. It is not unusual for a company to premier a new product there. A couple of fine examples of this occurred last fall when U. S. Armament introduced their re-creation of the wonderful 1877 Colt Bulldog Gatling Gun while several feet away Allied Armament showed early prototypes of their 50-round drum magazine meant for the HK series of rifles (with alternate feed towers for other arms to follow).

Speaking of the pole barn, it was roughly two years ago when Knob Creek Range owner Kenny Sumner, along with his son Chad, expanded it yet again. First built over 15 years ago, the open-sided building has been the subject of many updates. For all of its simplicity, it provides a bit of a haven from the sun and dust and even a bit of the noise. It now covers more than 700 tables. Additionally, the driveway that wraps around the range house is rimmed with about 100 more tables and booths.

Important too is the fact that Knob Creek is often the best place to buy ammunition in quantity for very good prices as one converts money into noise. Some have argued of late that the twice-yearly event serves as an indicator of ammo availability and upcoming price changes. As volatile as the ammunition market is, they may have a point.

Lastly, don’t overlook the range house and store. Knob Creek Range has a full service gun shop inside. Well stocked with sporting, cowboy and military types of arms, they have a wide selection of accessories and factory ammunition. Between the dealers and the hosts, if you can’t find what you are looking for while at KCR, maybe you didn’t look hard enough.

Other Improvements and Plans
Recently, the main line had the shooting positions reworked. Gone are the old concrete shooting benches that were towards the back of the canopy, replaced with metal framed tables closer to the action. This makes much more room for working, cleaning or loading behind the tables, along with room to move about, all while enjoying the new concrete underfoot and the refreshed roof as well.

A sink hole that used to be where the entrance road ends near the uncovered firing positions was filled in and is now a gravel lot for added shooter and vendor parking. The shuttle for visitors to and from the parking area has been continuously improved over the years and now features a tractor pulling a double trailer filled with canopy covered bench seats.

For the future, Kenny has some more things coming. To ease some traffic flow inside, he hopes to have a second road around the backside of the range house. Lastly, he will soon also have a new dining area in place for everyone’s convenience.

Let’s Talk About the Weather
Whenever the Knob Creek shoot gets closer on the calendar the internet is abuzz with discussions about the weather. Will it be hot? Cold? Too dry for tracers? On and on it goes. For the October 2007 shoot, it could not have been better. Cool mornings turned into perfect days. Everything was great…until the wind shifted. Then the smoke and dust from downrange came back into the shooter’s and audience’s faces. But not to worry, after a few hours, the wind changed again and all was bliss, just in time for the night shoot too. However the forecast reads, in the long run, it matters not. It is all part of the Knob Creek experience.

Knob Creek Range is located at 690 Ritchey Lane, West Point, KY 40177. Telephone: (502) 922-4457. the Shoot website is www.machinegunshoot.com. Aside from hosting The Shoot twice a year, they are open year around and offer memberships, both individual and family, that entitle you to unlimited range time during regular business hours. For the shoots, primitive (no electric or water hookups available) camping spots are available on a first come – first served basis.

It’s always nice to be wanted and to feel welcome.

In the firearms community, we often feel left out. When the NRA had their convention in Philadelphia a couple of years ago, it was right in the middle of the multi-city extortion plot to attack firearms ownership by bleeding out the manufacturers. Philadelphia was a leader in this, and when we were there at the convention, everyone from the normally sullen union workers at the hall, to the protesters on the street corners, to the local politicians, made it clear that we weren’t welcome. It would have been nice if we could have had the convention where we were wanted, and spent our money in that local community. Maybe the NRA should consider Bullitt County, Kentucky.

One thing is very clear twice every year. The communities surrounding where the Knob Creek Machine Gun Show and Shoot is held, sure do appreciate us being there. They’re nice people, and they are very hospitable. Over the years, the community has absorbed this twice yearly event, and we have filled up their restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds, while putting many of the local kids to work at the range as well. The Sumners have been great about hiring these kids, and it is good contact for those kids to meet the real firearms community twice a year. Hearts and minds, as it were.

We are greeted every year by signs from local businesses welcoming the “Knob Creekers” or the “Machine Gun Shooters.” We bring a lot of business to the town and we don’t create much trouble at all. As a group, the machine gun collectors and shooters are pretty nice people.

We at SAR just wanted to say thanks to those in the community that like us being there, and to pass on where they are so that everyone reading this, that is attending the show, can consider going to where they are welcome. Just look for the signs.

Next, I contacted two prominent national ammunition distributors. First and foremost, a question needed an answer. Two days after September 11, most retail stores listed their supplies of 9mm, 223, 308, and short Russian as ‘sold out’. About the ‘shortage’, both ammunition distributors said the same thing. Ammunition arrives in a constant supply. No shortage existed. September 11 caused a temporary surge in buying. With several more shipments, both the flow and price will returned to normal. One of them stated, ‘I could have sold out of 762×39 early last week. I saved some and brought it to the Creek, knowing that the shooters would need it.’ This writer picked up some 762×39 from him and a stack of Radway .303 from another. By Sunday, I had put all of the brass on the ground.

Those who have not come to the Creek might think that there would be changes. This writer observed only two. First, each day at 8 o’clock in the morning the loud speaker played The Star Spangled Banner. During the time of its playing, one literally could have heard a pin drop. Second, an impressive number of new faces showed up at Knob Creek. Some of them made serious purchases in the Pole Barn. The world may change. Knob Creek remains Knob Creek.

As additional evidence of how Knob Creek remains constant, we relate the following. Two days after the treacherous attacks on American cities, The History Channel ran an all day marathon of ‘Tales of the Gun’. This writer had the privilege of contributing to several of the programs. During the weekend at KCR, literally more than three hundred people thanked me, Lamar Cheatham, Forbes Mathews, Dr. Ed Weitzman, and Doug Hollberg for our contributions to ‘Tales of the Gun’. Upon returning home, I telephoned Greystone Productions and spoke with Producer Andrew Nock. I asked him to pass on to Executive Producer Louis Tarantino and Producer/Director Tom Jennings the many kind remarks from KCR. We have always been proud of our work. On those three days, we felt particularly proud of the work and humbled by the heartfelt response.

Pole Barn Adventures with the Usual Suspects…

Before the Pole Barn opened on Friday morning, I dropped by the Little Fat Guy’s slot for a steaming cup of coffee and some good conversation. Tom Golik, prominent Title 2 from Jacksonville, FL came by and showed off his new Stoner. He gave an open and instantly accepted invitation to come and put some brass on the ground. Meanwhile, the Little Fat Guy’s wife fitted the newest member of their family with small ear muffs and dainty eye protection. When Homer Sailor called the line hot, the Littlest Fat Person sat transfixed in the stroller as the Little Fat Guy emptied a belt for his offspring from his short barreled .50. Some shooters are made, others are born.

At 10 o’clock The Pole Barn opened and people flooded in. We all enjoyed the spectacular show. This fall, as in the recent past, the dealers went ‘all out’ to serve their customers. First and foremost to my mind comes the Breda 35.

Kent Lomont displayed a truly rare and magnificent gun. This writer test fired a Breda 35 about ten years ago at the Creek. I handled one about three years ago that went to the mid West. Both of these guns came in 6.5. Mr. Lomont displayed a beautiful example of an export model Breda 35 made for the Costa Rican Army. This gun came in 7mm. On Thursday afternoon, Mr. Lomont tore down this fine gun in order that several of us could examine the fine workmanship. Though its magazine loading makes it not a great combat weapon, one will find the Breda 35 as well crafted as any and better than most. I told several collectors about this beautiful piece that carried a comparatively modest price tag. The beautiful Breda carried a sold sign by noon on Friday.

I next went to the tables of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anagnos, surplus dealers. Weathermen forecast much cooler temperatures on Saturday night. Mrs. Anagnos provided a warm coat from within the huge stacks of camp gear. I then broke out a couple of Tampa cigars. Paul and I smoked these fine cigars in celebration of Cuba’s first freedom fighters. Cuba Libre came to be in the cigar factories of Tampa in the 1880’s (see SAR July ’98). While we talked, Paul introduced Michael Smith of Purvis, MS. Mr. Smith displayed three pistols from his personal collection. I knew someone that all three would interest.

I took the news to an astute collector and dealer on the other side of the range. The collector immediately went into the Pole Barn. He emerged a half an hour later with a smile on his face. He stated. ‘The baby Nambu with two magazines and a holster isn’t as pretty as the one I already have, but it is a very pretty gun. The pre 357 Magnum (one of 5500 made between 1935 and 1938) appears to be almost unfired. I bought them both.’ The preceding proves one of the fine points at Knob Creek Range. Though the automatic guns predominate, one may find other unexpected treasures if one looks hard enough.

While viewing some movie use machine guns at the LMO tables, an interesting encounter took place. Byron Farmer of Milledgeville, GA recognized my North Atlanta accent. When he introduced himself, I recognized his accent from the Fall Line. Mr. Farmer had acquired an Amnesty registered MP-3008 many years ago. The Class 3 dealer brought his early acquisition to Knob Creek Range to find out what it was now worth. I suggested that we wait until Dan Shea could talk with Mr. Farmer. When Dan got free, he examined the weapon. Dan stated, ‘ The stock looks like it is incorrect, but it is not. The Germans made several stock variations and this is one of them. I have handled three of these in the last two years or so. The last two I sold for $8500 and $9500. This Type 1 MP3008 looks like the one that went for $9500.’

Mr. Farmer and I then went to The Rifleman tables run by Dave and Mark Mann of Macon, GA. Mark enthusiastically showed us part of the large acquisition that they had just made of transferable Title 2s. Then Mark went under the table and brought out their brand new PKM. Now, they hunted ammunition and belts at Knob Creek. Mark manned the tables while Dave took the PKM out for a photograph. He stepped around his DSHK 38/46 and stood for a photograph with their newest acquisition. The preceding offers additional proof to an old adage. At KCR, one never fails to meet new friends and view new things.

Meanwhile, some unloading took place at the front of the Pole Barn. Brian Koskey displayed two cannons that he had restored for Kent Lomont. First off the truck came a Swiss 50mm that looked new. Second came a wonderful piece of history, an American 37mm from World War I. The long barreled cannon sat on a narrower and higher mount than the mounts one is used to viewing on the World War II 37s. Brian pointed out the Bethlehem Steel imprint near the breech. Across at Robert Landies’ Ohio Ordnance tables we viewed another unusual piece of heavy ordnance. Mr. Landies proudly showed off the 1918 Maxim 13mm anti tank gun correctly mounted on a Maxim 08/15 bipod. This massive gun looks like an 1898 Mauser that abused a lot of steroids. After the Great War, John Browning would use the 13mm cartridge to invent the American .50 round. He then designed an automatic gun to fire it. Scott McNish, armorer with Ohio Ordnance, set up the photograph that accompanies this article. In the snapshot, Scott holds the 13mm anti tank crossed with a ’98 Mauser to give the reader an idea of scale.

Ready On The Firing Line

Before going to the line, I dropped by Jonathan Arthur Ciener’s tables. There Jon displayed his much anticipated ‘Project X’. This project allows all Thompson owners to shoot .22 rounds. The kit comes with a barrel insert, magazine, and bolt works. Jon makes these kits for the 1921, 28, and M-1/M1-A1s. This writer became one of many who signed up for ‘Project X’. Out on the firing line, author James Ballou took ‘Project X’ for a test drive. Mr. Ballou knows considerably more about the BAR. Jim reported flawless function for ‘Project X’.

More than one invention took a test by fire on Friday. Joe Gaddini of SWR Suppressors introduced Scott Prince of R & D on their new Omega 9mm suppressor. Scott reported that much talk arose from the Friday suppressor competition. First, Scott reported that the Omega demonstrated a 40db reduction dry. Second, the Neilson recoil booster device enabled the Glock weapons to function flawlessly with the Omega suppressor. The CNC aluminum constructed suppressor functioned 12db quieter than any other leading suppressor. As often reported in this magazine, the suppressor wars continue in earnest.

Stuart Rueben received the transfer on his cannon and immediately took it to the line. Many counted themselves fortunate to view this historic gun. Mr. Rueben showed off the French cannon, serial number 200, on Knob Creek’s main line. America bought these 40mm cannon dated 1892 and converted them from fusee fire to center fire. Mr. Rueben showed off the unusual side breech assembly. He took pleasure in the remarkable condition of this fine gun. Milton Barnes, drum inventor of Metall Werkes and cannoneer of The Bowler Battery, gave some cogent comments about the 40mm. Mr. Barnes stated the gun originally entered service as a true 10lb Parrot. The original shells came as pointed rifle projectiles. Milton then stated the 40mm was, ‘…a flat shooting, exceptionally nasty piece of ordnance if you happened to be on the receiving end.’

Saturday afternoon I ran into Valerie with Valkyrie Arms. Valerie brought her production De Lisles to Knob Creek Range and took a number of orders. Her company produces these guns twenty at a time. We went to the firing line to test drive the weapons. The beautifully crafted weapon functions extremely well. A Georgia Emma Gee recently placed an order for one having never seen even a picture of a De Lisle. Suffice it to say that this carbine fires as quiet as a whisper and hits like a Mack truck. Look for a comprehensive article on the De Lisle Carbine in a later issue of SAR.

Upon arrival at the Black Mariah on Saturday afternoon I found the occupants extremely happy with an acquisition made that morning. Forbes Mathews and Doug Hollberg told of acquiring the final piece of ‘Project 99’. Of the six known kits, a seventh had surfaced. As to whose and where, don’t ask. This kit contains the Chinese converted 7.7 barrel that now fires 762 x 39 and the Chinese made tail piece. Another group in the Midwest independently figured out the tail piece. Back in Georgia, Mike Thacker already has received his 762 x 39 converted 99 barrel. As you read this, two versions of the Chinese conversion already are putting brass on the ground.

I then went down to visit some Vickers shooters and put my 1600 rounds of Radway on the ground. (It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it.) When Homer Sailor called a cease fire, I ran into Troy Sellars of In Range out of Kodak, TN. The talented Class 2 does a full range of AK to Krinkov conversions and AK SBRs. He showed off his beautifully crafted AK-74 Krink variant. Troy stated that he really like the AK design and the Krinkov innovation. He chose to specialize in these particular weapons. The fine Krinkov underscored his point.

When Saturday night rolled around, everyone headed toward the main line. Kenny Sumner had added additional viewing stands to give the crowd an even better view of the Night Shoot. Tracer stood as the order of the day. The gunners took the order to heart. The show opened with a helicopter fly over with tracer put down range from an M-60. Then came a tracer burst from the mini-gun. Homer Sailor then called the line hot and the thunder rolled. After each session the crowd broke out in enthusiastic applause. Many viewers moved closer to guns that they wished to view in action. Throughout the evening everything from Gatling guns to a mini-guns poured tracer down range. We all enjoyed a spectacular Saturday night.

Throughout the weekend, I looked for some particular faces. All had gone to serve our country, save one. I ran into him at the Title 2 crossroads of the world, between the Range House and the Pole Barn at Knob Creek Range. I stated, ‘I didn’t expect to see you here.’ He said, ‘The got my buddy on Friday. They will call me up when I get back on Monday.’ We never said good-bye. We said, ‘Until we meet again.’ This man has assisted this writer and some others with deep background on armaments. To him, to those that were missing, and to all of the men and women who now put their lives on the line for our country, we dedicate the following.

Seven Spanish Angels

As we write this in late October, we cannot know the events of the coming months. We do know this. When daylight broke on September 11, 2001, our country moved as it had the day before. The events just before 9 o’clock on that day changed everything. The talking heads of network news proclaimed that America had changed forever and entered a new age. As usual they were half correct. In less than a day we threw away 55 years of liberalism. We went back to the generations of those who came before us. We went back to the time of Theodore Roosevelt. The forces of evil mistakenly awakened what Isoroku Yamamoto later called ‘…the sleeping giant.’ We still walk softly but we now carry an awfully large stick. Perhaps the distinguished actor James Woods put it best. On Jay Leno’s Tonight Show the actor stated, ‘…forget political correctness, we are at war!’ In that light we offer this, especially for our readers at Campbell, Lejeune, and Bragg.

Early in his Presidency, Theodore Roosevelt returned the captured battle flags to the Confederate States. Now the descendants of those states and all of the other states answer our country’s call. Our men and women in the military now go to war for us, and for all of the civilized world. Our soldiers who go into the night must know the following above all else. Our fervent prayers go with you. Some, and perhaps a good many, of you will not return. For you, the best and brightest among us, we offer these last few words. May seven Spanish Angels forever comfort you, and always light your path. Your cause always shall remain undeminished. Your honor shall always be bright.

Pole Barn Adventures

I first went into the Range House to pick up six T-shirts for the Emma Gees in Georgia. Outside I ran into Jim Ballou, whose new book ‘The BAR’ has flown off the shelves. Despite a broken leg, Jim came to Knob Creek to autograph copies of his landmark book on the Browning Automatic Rifle. To say that Jim stayed busy does not describe it. Those who can not come to KCR will find Jim’s monumental work available from Long Mountain Outfitters.

Just inside the pole barn I ran into Mike Westinhouse. Mike proved once again that, no matter how much you have seen, you have not seen it all. Mike reached into his back pocket and produced an awesome shell. This complete round came from a 90 anti-aircraft gun produced right at the end of World War II. One thinks of a 90 as a cannon round. This round more resembles a 50 caliber on steroids. Rounds like this were fired from a unique American gun. For the scholars of anti-aircraft guns, they will find this rare round and even rarer guns referenced in Chinn’s.

After viewing rare munitions, I set out in search of accessories. The Emma Gees in Georgia sent an interesting list. Both the quantity and the quality at this show stood as nothing short of spectacular. I filled the first two orders at MG34.com./Allegheny Arms of Culver City, PA. Greg Souchik displays a number of fine items, both in quantity and quality. One friend wanted post war magazines for the PPSh 41. His three digit gun dates from 1948. I filled his order with six post war magazines and two post war carry pouches. All of them looked NOS.

On the way to the Small Arms Review table, I stopped off at the C & S Metall Werkes tables to see Milton Barnes. I waited as Milton sold a pair of MP-5 drums to two satisfied customers. We shook hands and Milton said he had a surprise coming Sunday about four o’clock. Milton advised this writer to be in attendance on the lower part of the main line at the appointed time. I said that Milton could mark me present and headed for the Small Arms Review tables.

At the SAR tables, Jeff Zimba pointed toward the cover shot for the then upcoming June 2001 issue. Through the crowd around it, I viewed the image of Cuba Gooding Jr. and the twin fifties that graced the cover. This writer, the staff of SAR, and a number of subscribers took a great deal of pride in doing that particular article.

Next I stopped by Dennis Todd’s tables and caught Dennis in a rare moment when he could talk. Dennis proudly showed off the original top drums for the MG – 34 and the newly made attachments. I then picked up a rare magazine for a friend, thanked Dennis, and departed. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anagnos displayed a huge amount of gear on their tables. From Mr. Anagnos I picked up a book on M-16s from the Rifle M2 to the Carbine M4A1. An M-16 shooter back in Georgia will add this book to his collection.

On the way out of the Pole Barn I found John Ross at the Kent Lomont tables. John had brought copies of his fine book ‘Unintended Consequences’. While autographing books for his many fans, John regaled the assembled throng with a number of amusing stories. A friend in Georgia sent in an order for a copy of John’s book, autographed if possible. Mr. Ross kindly autographed a copy of ‘Unintended Consequences’ to the Georgia Emma Gee.

Just outside the Pole Barn a long time friend came by. He had known of the then upcoming article on ‘Pearl Harbor’. He produced from his pocket a postcard that dated from before World War II. He stated that one might find a great deal of gun history on the picture postcards from the first half of the 20th Century. A couple of weeks before KCR he had found several postcards at an antique show. On one card, an eight man Marine Corps gun crew sights two .50 water-cooled guns on anti-aircraft tripods. The photograph shows the set up of the cooling hoses and even the .50 loading rig in the left rear If one’s wife insists on one’s attendance at an antique show, when one might be more interested in going to a gun show, some R & R and some interesting history for the Emma Gee may be found among the postcards.

This shopping expedition ended about 1:30 on Friday afternoon. Again the quality and quantity of the items rated as nothing short of excellent. The dealers had gone ‘all out’ to supply their customers with fine equipment. Everything that this writer purchased he found in good supply, reasonably priced, and of generally excellent quality. The Emma Gees from Georgia who had sent orders all seemed to be very pleased with the items that came back to them.

Showtime

Inside the Pole Barn one can find surprising rare examples of otherwise common items. The Vickers tripod shown by Brian Koskey of Mill Creek Armory serves as a case in point. I have viewed a number of British and Turkish tripods and a very rare adjustable height Vickers tripod. Brian stated that he had just finished restoring a very unusual Vickers tripod for Kent Lomont. Brian brought the tripod out to the sunlight in front of the Pole Barn for some serious viewing.

In bright sunlight one could properly view this very rare tripod. The top of the rear leg of the tripod read ‘1915 American’. Beside the nomenclature at the lower left side sat a level that worked as well as the day it was made. The T & E worked differently than any previously observed. The entire upper head turned for elevation. The trajectory came in a similar but smoother manner to the British tripod. Brian had carefully refinished all of the parts. This rare Vickers tripod worked as well as it looked.

I next went to the tables of Long Mountain Outfitters. LMO displayed a large number of guns from the motion picture industry. A beautiful M-60 E-3 with Navy barrel and motion picture history sat on the side table. This one carried a ‘Sold’ tag about 30 minutes after I viewed it. A large number of motion picture AK variants caught everyone’s attention. Among the AK’s one found four Valmets, two side folders and two with AK stocks. I later ran into a friend who has a special appreciation for the Valmets. He immediately headed for the LMO tables. Look for an upcoming article on one of the most famous of LMO’s motion picture Valmet AK variants.

Meanwhile out in the specialty sheds, ammunition could be found in abundance. One found the pricing reasonable on all and a bargain on some. This writer bought three crates of 7.62 x 39 from Tennessee Guns. Knob Creek being Knob Creek, he came home with less than one. I also picked up some 45ACP, 308, and 30-06 from Centerfire Systems. All came at reasonable prices. The venerable 8mm left the ammunition sheds in crate after crate. The ammunition dealers brought quantity and quality. The shooters put a great deal of brass on the ground at the Spring Knob Creek Shoot.

John Ross told this writer to go by the Ohio Ordnance tables and look in the Post 86 rack. John’s suggestion presented an opportunity to view and examine something truly unusual. When I got to Ohio Ordnance, Mike Krotz proudly showed off the KKM-PI-69. Mike unracked this rare AK variant and explained its function. The barrel exited the trunion higher than on a regular AK. No gas tube exited the wooden foregrip. Mike explained the drill on this select fire gun. The rifle fired 22 long rifle from a closed bolt. ‘Karl’ then pulled the magazine. The magazine looked like a regular AK mag whose top necked flat with a 22 mag end exiting in the middle. Then Mike pointed to the button on the side of the magazine. In standard AK size, the magazine held 20 rounds in 22. With a flip of the button, the bottom of the magazine dropped down allowing it to hold 30 rounds of 22 long rifle. These well-crafted magazines began showing up at gun shows more than a year and a half ago. Now we know what they are for.

I dropped by the S&H tables to see Curtis Higgins. S&H displayed a number of suppressed weapons along with some very nice FNC sear conversions. Directly across from S&H stood the tables of John’s Guns. John Tibbetts displayed a number of his fine suppressed weapons. John builds both suppressed pistols and rifles in Palestine, Texas. While examining a fine suppressed .22, a friend dropped by and advised that Mark Mann was unpacking something important. After finishing at the John’s Guns tables, I headed for the LMO tables. At LMO, I turned down the side tables to The Rifleman tables of Mark and David Mann.

David Mann and his son Mark run The Rifleman, a fine gun store in Macon, Georgia. Their well-stocked store carries an inventory of regular and Title 2 weapons. As I came up, they unpacked a truly awesome weapon. There on its Chinese high mount stood a Chinese version of the Russian DSHK 38/46. Mark Mann explained the history of this magnificent machine gun. This gun had seen service in Vietnam. Some .223 rounds had creased the top of the muzzle break. A .308 round had slammed into the right rear D handle. Before or afterward, the gun made its way back to China. After being declared surplus, the heavy weapon made its way to Iraq. There it found a home atop an Iraqi tank. After two days in Desert Storm, the gun again became unemployed. The historic weapon later made its way to America as parts, and had been manufactured pursuant with current law, as part of their Class 2 license research and development for potential future government sales.

‘…Ready on the Firing Line’

I went up to the firing line on a regular basis to put brass on the ground. The shooting proved excellent. The 30 minute breaks between the shooting proved equally intriguing.

I met with Mike Thacker about two weeks before Knob Creek. Mike announced that he had done something interesting with the spare barrel for his Jap 99. Mike had had a talented Georgia gunsmith rechamber the spare Jap 99 barrel to 7.62 x 39. Mike then asked that I contact a gentleman who possessed an original Chinese 7.62 x 39 conversion of the Jap 99. After making that telephone call, I contacted Forbes Mathews. I asked Forbes to bring his calipers to Knob Creek.

Two weeks later on Knob Creek’s main line, Forbes and I met with the gentleman from the Northeast. Forbes examined and measured the rear connecting piece to the Chinese 7.62 x 39 conversion. Two types of short Russian conversions exist. Both conversions use the AK magazine. As you read this, Forbes Mathews and Mike Thacker create an extremely interesting gun. Look for an upcoming article on this intriguing firearm. This conversion makes an extremely accurate distance weapon that produces almost no felt recoil.

I also met with another scholar on the Japanese LMGs, namely Dean Schaub. Dean knows automatic guns well, but is particularly intrigued by the automatic guns of Imperial Japan. Dean and I looked over a Jap 99 made in 1945 and discussed a number of these fine guns. Dean then stated that a summer shoot would occur about three hours drive from his hometown. At that shoot, he would be able to view and photograph several quite rare Japanese automatic guns. Dean was particularly excited that an extremely rare Type 3 in 6.5 mm would be there. Dean vowed to take the photographs. Look for an upcoming article on these fine weapons in a later issue of SAR.

About six slots down I met with Gerald Dorsey early on Saturday evening. From that slot for years, Gerald has fired his fine Argentine version of the 1917 water-cooled. Ramo crafted the gun many years ago from a parts kit fitted with American internals and D handles. Like most Browning guns, the way one makes it quit is to run it out of ammunition. Gerald admits to that happening a couple of times. Though many fine Brownings fire on the Knob Creek Range, the sights on Gerald’s gun make it unique.

A large spider web sight rests in a strap across the water jacket backed by a spike rear sight. This arrangement stands as quite rare. Mounted to the side post at the rear one finds a Zeiss telescopic sight. Gerald explained that Zeiss offered this scope as a commercial option military scope for the 1917 Argentine inter-war water-cooled. One looks down into the scope and sights outward parallel to the barrel. For years, Gerald had the only scope of this type that he knew of. A couple of years ago, another scope surfaced. Gerald bought it for a friend who shoots an identical 1917 water-cooled. Mr. Dorsey’s gun proves that while viewing a very nice weapon one may also turn the pages of history.

Meanwhile down on the far side, Doug Hollberg experienced a stoppage with his 08/15 Maxim. When Manuel Contreras helped Doug run the weapon on Friday, the gun ran fine. On Saturday, after about another 3000 rounds, Doug experienced a case separation. The case split about in half and on an angle. When the line went cold, Doug tore down the gun and a group of Emma Gee’s offered assistance. John Ross quipped, ‘Hit it with a bigger hammer.’ Doug replied, ‘A 15 pound hammer is all that I have.’ Dolf Goldsmith then took a look at it. Dolf employed a ruptured case removal tool but could not budge the split case. Dr. Ed Weitzman took a look and recommended hospitalization. back in Georgia on Monday, and the stubborn 08/15 barrel checked into Forbes Mathews Memorial for a short stay.

A pearl of wisdom goes, ‘If you must pick one night to be at Knob Creek, be there on Saturday night’. The gunners and the staff of Knob Creek Range put on a spectacular Saturday night show. The show began with a fly over and down range shooting by a helicopter. Jay Bazner an SAR regular contributor took photographs from on high. Jay sat strapped in the chopper seat while he caught the action with his camera.

After the fly over and shooting by the helicopter, the gunners advanced to the line positions. Homer Sailor calls the line hot. The rounds poured down range. The KCR range crew had set small explosive charges among the numerous targets down range. A cheer went up from the crowd each time a gunner hit one of the charges. Many of the assembled crowd jockeyed for positions behind the guns that they were interested in.

Some viewed guns that they did not know. During the shooting, they took time to become more familiar with them. The DSHK 38/46 stands as a case in point. Up on the main line stood another ‘Dishka’. Though Chinese and very similar, this gun was not the one described earlier. Many had never seen nor heard the Soviet origin heavy machine gun. To most the Dishka appears only in books. At Knob Creek Range, the Dishka is real. Thunderous does not adequately describe the report of this gun. The 12.7 shell measures slightly longer than that of the John Browning .50. The 12.7 is much more powerful. SAR writer Steve Hyde once described the Dishka’s report as being louder with earmuffs on than the American .50 is with ear muffs off.

After each shooting session the crowd gave applause. During the breaks between, the flame thrower contingent put on a spectacular show. They demonstrated single and multiple actions with the flame-throwers. These skilled men and women lit up the night sky. One could feel the heat from the flames at the firing line. After the final shooting session, the crowd broke out in a thunderous applause. A good time was had by all.

I spent most of Sunday checking notes for this article and putting some brass on the ground. About four o’clock, I gave up shooting a very nice Thompson and headed for the lower part of the main line. There I watched Milton Barnes and the crew from C & S Metall Werkes set up a 37mm M3 anti-tank gun. This World War II gun looked new. Milton wore the black derby hat of the Confederate artillerists in the Bowler Battery. This unit meets in St. Charles, Missouri once a year to fire their 12 pound mobile mountain howitzers. On this day, Milton wore the derby to fire 37mm M3.

Milton set up the gun and fired the first three rounds. Then each man from C & S selected a target and took his turn with the wonderful 37. Viewing these men set and work the M3 anti-tank gun proved to be some of the most enjoyable time spent at the Spring shoot. Each man brought a different method of working the gun. Each selected a different target. Most of them hit what they aimed at. True to the doctrine of Dangerous Dave, these cannoneers saved their empty cases for reloading.

I close with words from a poignant goodbye. The placard honored a man known to many. Above the Little Fat Guy’s slot hung the sign that paid homage to one who could no longer be with us. The white background with blue letters honored Mr. Sid Hartman. Mr. Hartman left us earlier this year. For many years Mr. Hartman worked security on the gunner’s right of the Knob Creek line. We shall miss Sid’s professionalism and his good nature. Mr. Hartman came every spring and every fall- the sign correctly read ‘We Will Miss You Sid 1942 — 2001’. Enough said.

Credits:

1. 1. Shane Coe, Centerfire Systems, 102 Fieldview DR, Versailles, KY 40383 859-873-9544
2. 2. Gerald Dorsey, Midwest Firearms, 1905 Ontario DR, Janesville, WI 53545 608-752-3065
3. 3. J. Patrick Moore, Summit Ammunition, P. O. Box 946, Gadsden, AL 35902 256-413-7180
4. 4. Robert C. Pace, Class 3 and Winchesters, P. O. Box 335, Fruitport, MI 49415 231-865-6355
5. 5. Kent Lomont, Lomont Precision Bullets, RR1 Box 34, Salmon, ID 83467 208-756-6819
6. 6. Robert Landies, Ohio Ordnance, P. O. Box 687, Chardon, OH 44024 440-285-3481
7. 7. Milton Barnes, C & S Metall Werkes, 4025-H Old Hwy 94 S, St. Charles, MO 63304 636-928-1551
8. 8. Greg Souchik, Allegheny Arsenal, P. O. Box 161, Culver City, PA 16725 814-362-2642

Wife: “Well, it’s April again. I suppose you’re gonna go.”

Shooter: “Yup.”

End of conversation.

Much is compressed into this laconic exchange, with its implication of chronological inevitability. The man was a machine gun shooter, and there is only one place like-minded men want to be on the first weekend in April or October. During those times the Knob Creek Gun Range, at West Point, Kentucky, becomes the crossroads of the American Title II world. To paraphrase a comment once made about Caesar’s wife by an inept undergraduate, Knob Creek is all things to all men, and attending this event so transcends attending any other gun show or shoot that it can only be described as an experience every machine gun owner should have at least once.

If someone describes a gun as something you’d see at Knob Creek, you know it’s rare, novel, or unique, and perhaps all three. If you promise that something will be ready by Knob Creek, you’re using the event as a time reference. If you say you’ll deliver it at Knob Creek, you’re referring both to a time and a geographic location. But while the name denotes both a time and a place, it also encompasses a gun show, a series of competitions, a merchandise mart, a firepower demonstration, and a spectacle. It’s about a sense of shared comradeship and values with people you’ve never met, as well as with friends you only see there. But mostly it’s about freedom.

As you move through the gun show, down to the rental range, past the submachine gun jungle walk, and back to the main firing line, ask yourself where else in the world you could find a similar scene of free men shooting their own machineguns.

People come here and bring their guns to shoot here because they can. It’s a perfectly legitimate, legal activity. There is no reason why we should not and several reasons why we should. One important reason why we should is to demonstrate this right, to show people that it exists. But even more compelling is the need to keep this right alive. Rights not exercised are easily lost to hostile governments.

Other less obvious but nevertheless potent influences are also at work here. The theme of personal freedom is strongly reinforced by the shoot’s setting in rural Kentucky, a state which has always produced far more than its share of soldiers. It was a concern with freedom, with regional self-determination, that led to the secession of the Confederacy, and one should remember that Kentucky borders on the Old South. Neither the Southern military heritage nor the War Between the States is ever very deeply submerged in the Southern psyche. But the military connections to be found here are not only with the Confederacy; they are national in scope. It would appear that most of the shooters and many of the spectators are ex-military.

One senses that some attendees go to Knob Creek as an unconscious way of expressing the fact that, despite the passage of years, they can still report for roll call and are still functioning. Moreover, attending is an affirmation of the values and institutions they fought to maintain, so why should they not assemble with like-minded comrades? One attendee acknowledged that because he lives in Illinois he cannot own machineguns, but he brings approximately ten military rifles when he comes, and he was there to shoot on Wednesday even when he had to return to Illinois and miss the weekend shoot because his wife’s class reunion.

Besides this demonstration of freedom there are other reasons. Some shooters collect rare guns and like to show them. Others come to see friends, and one remarked to the writer that many of them had watched each other’s children grow up. Shopping exerts a powerful pull on some attendees, the desire to see what treasures are available in the pole barn this time. Then there is no telling what rare, striking, or hand built guns will appear on the firing line. Yet others are drawn to the noise, smoke and dust of the shooting sessions. Each of us had his own reasons.

For most of us non-vendors, there is an eager sense of anticipation despite the piled-up miles as we leave I-65 at Shepherdsville, Kentucky, about seventeen miles south of Louisville. It’s a good thing we made reservations early at the last shoot, for there are no vacant motel rooms this side of Louisville. We drive the fourteen miles west on Route 44 while trying to hold the speed down to accommodate the road’s deceptive curves. A final series of bends prepares us for the large sign that a grateful Bullitt County provided to mark the range road.

During these shoots Kenny Sumner becomes one of the largest employers in the country as he oversees several score traffic directors, ticket sellers, cooks, target placers, clean up people, cashiers, competition directors, and a large company of security people. Most of his employees have done this many times. They know their jobs and are good at them, and they keep an impressive number of activities running smoothly.

As we head down the lane toward the range, we traverse what appears to be a marginal structure well above a tiny watercourse, but appearances are deceiving about both of them. The bridge has held tanks and large trucks, and the creek has submerged some of the property under thirteen feet of water. Spring shoots, in particular, can be real adventures in terms of flooding, potential or real.

The property itself consists of several hundred acres of hills, ravines, meadows, and woods several miles from the Fort Knox Military Reservation. During World War II large navel guns that had been rebuilt were shipped in and test fired from railroad cars at the site of the main range. Old timers can tell you just where the tracks are located beneath the present paving.

In the 1950’s this property was bought by the Sumner family. Avid shooters, they invited friends to join them, and soon their friends wanted to bring friends. An institution was born. Over the years the gun show, pole barn, snack bar, rental range, competitions, etc., have gradually evolved and expanded. During most of the year there is casual shooting at a variety of targets, supplemented by paintball, combat pistol, and other competitions. But the machinegun shoots are the two big events of the year, attended by some 10,000 spectators over three days.

A quarter miles travel from Route 44 finds us passing through the principal parking area, which is capable of holding hundreds of cars. Just ahead and to the left is Kenny’s home, built on a mound for good reason and overlooking another, smaller parking lot. This is for some of the senior vendors and shooters. Things are done here by seniority, not only in the parking lot but also on the firing line and in the pole barn where much of the gun show is held. Basically, people can get the same places for the next shoot so long as they behave themselves and don’t wear out their welcomes and there are always more enthusiasts clamoring for the limited number of firing line slots and table spaces.

Just past the Sumner house the road slopes downward for the hundred yards or so to the sprawling concrete block building that serves s office, range administration center, kitchen, cafeteria, and gun and souvenir sales shop. Along a side of the building are low bleachers. Running in front of them is a narrow, paved roadway that provides unloading access to the fenced rear of the firing line. During the shoots experienced and observant security personnel are stationed at the several gates to further control access and safety. The firing line is well covered, with bench rests across the back providing approximately forty firing points for normal operation. During machinegun shoots, spaces are painted on the gravel in front of the cover, and shooters provide their own gun coverings for inclement weather.

This firing line is adequate for most Knob Creek activities fifty weeks a year. It could be extended to the left, but that would squeeze the staging area used by the pyromaniacs for their flame throwers and by those shooters using vehicle mounted guns and cannons. The range itself is relatively flat and funnel shaped, perhaps 300 yards deep and bounded by sharply rising wooded hills on both sides. Ideally, the backstop hill could be more nearly vertical; during the Saturday night shoots tracers can be seen to ricochet from it. The rain that may fall during Friday and Saturday provides a mixed result; while it can be disagreeable to those who have to be out in it, the moisture ensures that tracers can be shot on Saturday night without burning down everything in the woods.

Gates are opened at 6AM each day. When 9AM Friday comes you should be ready to watch the shooting begin. Usually everyone tries to be ready to go for the opening session. Therefore, if you see something exotic, such as a 20MM, that may not be shot much during the weekend, this may be a good time to see it in action. There will be a safety introduction by perennial range officer Homer Saylor, during which time he lays out the ground rules so that everyone knows what to expect, before he finally calls out his much awaited”…and the line is hot at Knob Creek!” Everyone tries to get the first shot off, and the ensuing fusillade lasts a minute or two. After a short time things settle down somewhat, for none of the guns will be shot steadily the whole time. People with beltfeds tend to shoot them during parts of a number of shooting sessions, while those whose interest is in subguns are more likely to shoot a variety of different models. It’s nothing to see a dozen or more different guns at a single firing point, and many shooters bring gun racks.

The first time visitor will doubtless think about being part of the throng on the firing line, of contributing to and being part of the deafening roar that erupts periodically as each shooting session begins. One must feel considerable pride in being able to add to the general cacophony. For those scores of attendees who want the experience of shooting machineguns, there are several vendors prepared to satisfy this desire. One is on the main range, toward the left end and the others can be found on the rental range. The latter range is located several hundred yards behind the pole bard, down a graveled road. It is available on Saturday and Sunday, being used on Friday for the assault rifle match. Shooters pay up to about $25 per magazine or short belt and often shoot several.

But it takes lots of ammunition, to say nothing of lots of resolve, to sustain a place on the main firing line, if you should somehow be fortunate enough to earn or share one. This writer recalls seeing a shooter stagger to the firing line with two large wooden cases of ammunition to join the eight cases already there on his firing point, and if you wander to the extreme right end of the line, you will see enough ammunition behind Little Fat Guy’s firing point to begin a South American revolution. Numerous shooters consume at least $1000 worth of ammo per shoot. This is clearly not an activity for the cheap or uncommitted, and it differs markedly from going out with the fellows for a couple of hours of plinking on a Saturday morning.

Other shooters, outside the firing line cover on the left end, save themselves considerable trouble loading and unloading equipment and ammunition and simply shoot guns mounted in large trucks or trailers. One such shooter, who apparently believed in neatness, was well supplied with large plastic buckets for empty cases and links, which he scooped up with a coal shovel; he was, as they say, self contained since the truck sides confined the empties inside.

Quite the opposite tack is taken by several gentlemen from a prominent southeastern state. Systems engineering is the best way to describe their approach, for they bring with them everything necessary for their well-being in one rambling, integrated package, and then they unload it. Because they are the temporary custodians of several firing points beyond the left end of the range firing line cover, they begin by putting down outdoor carpet and several canopies to repel sun and rain from core areas. Then comes an electric generator, electric lights, benches, gun racks, a coffee maker, armorer’s tools, chairs, an ice chest, linking and delinking equipment and a veritable supply dump of various calibers and makes of ammunition, with each kind intended for a particular gun. On this piece of carpet the writer counted at least eleven belt-feds set up at once, with more stored in vertical racks to the rear. The whole enclave brought a new meaning to the term “Southern Comfort,” but repacking everything for the trip home must be a daunting task.

But, such shooting is beyond the resources, as well as stamina, of many visitors to maintain for two and a half days. As Kent Lomont says, after the first belt or so that you put through a new target car, you might as well shoot blanks, for many of the bullets merely enlarge existing holes. Besides, if you stay on the line in your firing place and shoot all the time, you’ll miss seeing other shooters toys, and you can always shoot at home.

In general, belt-feds rule the line. There are usually waterjacketed Browning M1917’s, but the models one sees in the greatest numbers are the A4 air-cooled .30-06 Brownings, along with a few A6s in the same caliber, and the M2 .50 caliber Brownings. The sprinkling of M60’s occasion considerable rivalry as Browning owners joke the M60 owners about having unreliable guns, while the latter contend that people shoot Brownings because they can’t understand anything sophisticated. German MG 34’s and MG 42’s are very popular and a group of Pennsylvanians always being several earlier German guns. German Maxims and their cousins, the British Vickers are also seen. There are always some .50 caliber rifles of various models. Over the years there have been a number of anti-tanks rifles at the shoot, but the present high cost of 20 mm ammunition precludes its use in satisfying quantities.

Some shooters don’t share this interest in belt-fed guns, preferring instead the much lighter and more portable submachine guns. The most popular representatives of this category are Thompsons, STEns, various German MPs, H&Ks, Lanchesters, Swedish Ks, Yugo 49s, PPSh 41s, Karl Gustavs, Reisings, grease guns, S&W 76s, MACs of various models, etc. People who shoot subguns at the Creek seem to take quite a few and thus have to keep straight all the requisite ammo, loaders, magazines, tools, cases and other necessities.

Although firing ceases during periodic breaks, that doesn’t mean that activity does. Target setters on large tractors occasionally drag “new”-that is to say, unperforated-cars and appliances into position about 150 yards down range and tow the old ones, now reduced to jagged scrap over to the left side of the range. Shooters may link belts or load magazines in preparation for the resumption of shooting. Or, now that it’s quite enough to converse, they visit other shooters and try to find the answers to problems or compare notes on which ammo vendors have the best buys. Those in need of parts and supplies may well disappear into the gun show to find them, or they may simply get something to eat or drink. Those who have been watching the shooting session from the bleachers are likely to head off for the gun show, cafeteria or souvenir shop.

And there can be other activities. Flame thrower demonstrations furnish entertainment during breaks and provide the more venturesome renters with yet another facet to their Knob Creek experience, to say nothing of keeping the nearby grass short. Occasionally, too, there will be a brief interlude limited to suppressed guns. At the Spring 1998 shoot, for instance, one shooter demonstrated his suppressed .50 Browning; unfortunately because he used regular velocity ammunition, the degree of suppression left much to be desired. Sometimes too, entrepreneurs will offer flights aboard ex-military models of helicopters, flying from the parking lot. At the Spring 2001 shoot these flights cost $60, and were available all day long on Friday and Saturday. The variety of these activities helps to set the Knob Creek Shoots apart from others while providing much needed respites for both shooters and spectators.

There is so much to see, hear, and experience at Knob Creek that it is literally impossible to assimilate all the sensory stimulation on the first visit. You have to deal with it all in stages made possible by repeat visits. So unless you’re already a veteran of similar shoots elsewhere, it may be best to concentrate on the firing line and perhaps gun show for the first visit.

The desire to express oneself creatively in firearms is by no means limited to tame hunting or target arms. You soon realize that there are rare or unique pieces that you’d never see anywhere else unless you happened to meet the right person and were invited to shoot with him. There was, for example, the man who regularly brought his 2 1/2 ton army truck with operable quad .50 Brownings. What a racket he made with all guns firing! Attendees have brought numerous reconnaissance and civilian vehicles alike carrying mounted machineguns. A number of the “”mules” carrying people and their purchases between the range and parking lot sport mounted belt-feds. There are always .50 caliber Browning bipod-mounted rifles that are shot prone and off stands, and it’s always interesting to see the diversity in muzzle break designs. Richard Pugsley, who builds full-sized replicas of the 1874 Gatling gun in .45-70 at his Thunder Valley Gatling Gun Company in Nebraska, often brings either his beautifully hand-crafted two-inch Hotchkiss revolving cannon or his 7.62x51mm M134 mini gun on an equally beautifully custom made 1874 Gatling chassis reproduction. A contemporary fad for which there is much enthusiasm is short barreled Brownings, which produce spectacular muzzle flashes and reports. One custom gunsmith cuts the barrels back to 12”, while another uses 14 1/4” to take better advantage of the pressure curve. There’s no denying how loud, compact, and eye-catching these guns are, either in day light or especially firing after dark. Beginning in 1998 one gentleman began to bring a highly customized golf cart that he had repainted olive drab with a white star on each door; in front of the passenger seat was a Colt commercial .50 caliber that he had converted from air cooled to water cooled, routing the hoses under the floor to a tank and pump to the rear.

Discerning shooters can admire the ingenuity and craftsmanship, as well, in many different tripods and mounting systems. With wartime operational concealment no long necessary, shooters prefer more comfort and the luxury of being up out of the dust or dampness, and some of these systems are designed either for stand-up shooting or else incorporate seats. Some of the .50 caliber rifle shooters have made bench rests whose underlying support is the heavy .50 Browning tripod. Similar thoughts has gone into ammunition box stands and holders, some of which funnel empty cases and links into receptacles.

Not to be forgotten are those who have crafted double mounts so that they can double their shooting fun. Little Fat Guy likes to shoot his beloved Brownings two at a time, and another outstanding example is Lou Pacilla’s beautiful pair of MG 42s that he calls “The Twins”. Equally memorable is the triple mini gun array, one over two, on one of Neal Smith’s suite of tables at the Fall 1998 show.

But despite the attraction of looking at the guns on the firing line, for many the gun show is the high point of the Knob Creek experience. Most people who attend, even those from non-class 3 states, own military firearms of one kind or another. There is a great variety of military items of all categories, especially but not limited to machinegun and assault rifle parts, under the wide roof of the pole barn. Vendors ranging from the Lomonts in Idaho to Jonathan Ciener in Florida, from Long Mountain Outfitters in Maine to Northridge in Los Angeles are there. Specific items may be available that one would be fortunate to find after much telephoning, and often at better prices. Need magazines for a Yugo 49 or Beretta 38A? The writer did-and found them there. Need a 100 round “C” drum for a 1928A1 Thompson? The writer didn’t know he did until he saw two there. But it’s not just magazines.

There is almost anything else you need. You can find barrels, suppressors, sights, stocks, cleaning equipment, bipods and tripods, registered side plates, belting and linking equipment, ammo of all kinds. At a recent show several attendees needed M2 Browning parts that SARCO had sold out, so on Sunday the SARCO representative obligingly cannicalized a Browning parts kit. There is a brisk business, as well, in military manuals of all kinds, books, videos, instruction pamphlets, military and shooting clothing, bumper stickers and decals, web gear and packs, parachute flares, special purpose ammunition-the list is almost endless.

Outside the pole barn in a rough horseshoe around the range office are the vendors whose merchandise is too heavy or bulky to be sold from tables. These people stock-under tents, free standing buildings, or in trucks-ammunition by the box, case or pallet, military clothing, empty ammunition cans, sights, night vision equipment, steel reactive targets, custom made dog tags, links and belts, dehumidifying chemical. For those whose toys are beginning to resemble battlefield pickups, Hawkeye Refinishing is always at the Creek with a compressor equipped truck to prepare metal surfaces before parkerizing in the owner’s choice of gray, green or black.

And then there are the guns! The gun show presents a veritable cornucopia of machineguns and assault rifles of all kinds, nationalities, rarities, and ages. There will be guns to appeal to the most specialized tastes. While some enthusiasts want only the latest black steel and black plastic models, others like wood stocks and more classic designs from the years prior to 1945. Dealers tend to bring everything possible, knowing there will be a market for it. Because myriad models up to and including mini guns can be found, it’s a good opportunity to confirm that a gun you’ve only read about may meet your needs. This writer, for instance, was becoming interested in a certain assault rifle, but a Knob Creek conversation with a well know Title II gunsmith convinced him that the gun would be mechanically unsuitable. Shooters who feel they might want a specific gun they’re located, but who also want to see it before committing themselves, can ask the dealer who owns it to bring it along, so long as they make the request early enough so that the dealer can file the necessary Form 5320.20 and have it approve by BATF. Nothing beats looking at the specific gun you might want to buy. Additionally, it may be possible, if the dealer has a space on the firing line, to receive basic instruction about the gun and then fire it before making the decision regarding purchase.

Not surprisingly, there is a certain amount of gamesmanship and macho exhibitionism. After all, if you have a BREn gun, why not show it off? Everyone else will envy you. And there’s no better place for display than the Creek, which is always covered by members of the firearms press who have demonstrated that they can write responsibly.

From the showing off of desirable or exotic guns, it’s not much of a leap to the display and sale of clever or ingenious gadgets and accessories. The shortened barrels for Brownings have already been mentioned. Some of the first really large capacity magazines this writer saw were at the Creek. One shop adapts 50 round Lanchester magazines to work in other guns. Wooden replacement stocks to fit MACs have been sold there. Another company combines two Thompson magazines to provide 50 rounds of .45 ACP capacity. A Missouri firm adapts PPSh or Suomi drums to provide 71 rounds in the MP5. Another manufacturer appeared for several shows selling out the stock of 30 round magazines he made before the ban for the Reising, whose scarce and expensive 20 round magazines have prevented it from enjoying greater popularity. Yet other craftsmen will rework submachine guns by changing the magazine wells so that the guns will feed from different, higher capacity, cheaper or more readily available magazines originally made for other guns. Devices to allow easier or faster loading of stick magazines are among the products of another frequent exhibitor. At least some of these products and services may be available at other militaria shows, but only at Knob Creek will you find most of them.

Closely allied to the idea of showing off clever products you have for sale is actively looking for ideas you can adapt to your own uses. Several of the foregoing ideas can be utilized by a skilled craftsman with proper tools, particularly after a bit of experimentation, and more can be seen by an observant person. The writer saw, several years ago a very useful brass catcher for the 1928A1 Thompson; he hasn’t made one yet, but the idea and principle have been mentally filed away.

You can also see ways in which Knob Creekers have improved their guns to make them more useful or enjoyable to shoot. For example, the subgun competition always features some splendidly customized guns; for years now competitors have fitted M16 butt stocks to MAC 11s to replace the ill-fitting factory wire stocks. Additionally, they have reduced the rate of fire to about 600 rounds per minute, replaced the short barrels with 10” models, and added vertical front grips, offset compensators, and optical sights. The writer plans to get more enjoyment from an M3A1 grease gun and a MAC 10 by replacing the factory wire stocks with wooden ones. Any Thompson owner who has been plagued with a horizontal foregrip will immediately buy a vertical one as soon as he tries one.

When you attend a Knob Creek shoot you are strongly advised to take as much money as possible, because there will be things there you’ll want to buy. Consider the shoot as a shopping destination. You can always bring home money you haven’t spent.

In the course of shopping and negotiating you’re bound to meet some interesting people. You may even want to come around later and chat with them when they’re less likely to be busy, if you can find such a time. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to make multiple trips to Knob Creek, you’ll see many of them again. After awhile some shooters finally acquire most of the guns and hardware they think they need, but by then they may have discovered an endless fascination with the people they meet there. Genuinely colorful characters abound, and becoming aware of them is probably the third level of appreciation of the Knob Creek experience.

Those who have come to shoot and/or sell products are almost overwhelmingly ex-military, and it can be intriguing to try to guess their military experience. It is safe to say that most were deeply imprinted by their military service, no matter how they felt about it at the time, and they have gravitated to Knob Creek because they can find echoes of the comradeship they once experienced, before the complications of family and career issues. One still sees Korean War soldiers, and there are some from Desert Storm, but the majority hail from the Vietnam conflict, in part because it takes years for most people to acquire the resources to own multiple automatic arms.

The busy vendors are interesting in their own right and are usually extremely knowledgeable about their wares. As you become better acquainted they’ll learn what kinds of parts and merchandise you’re interested in, just as you’ll learn which people are most likely to have what you want. Many, if they can’t fill your needs, will try to steer you to someone who can. It’s enjoyable to see the familiar faces, whether they’re the faces of shooters, vendors, or the ladies in the cafeteria or souvenir shop.

But there’s nothing wrong with the unfamiliar people. They’re simply friends you haven’t made yet. A holiday atmosphere prevails that goes well beyond traditional southern hospitality. Impromptu conversations among total strangers spring up with great frequency as people ask each other about the schedule, the hardware, where to get various things, and share experiences brought to mind by the equipment they see. Frequently, if someone has found a really desirable piece, a stranger will ask where he got it, as the writer did when he saw a lucky shopper who had acquired not one but two Thompson “C” drums before the gun show was open to the public. Often strangers will discover that they share mutual friends or interests. The overwhelming impression is that you’re among friends, among kindred spirits with whom you have much in common. People at the Creek treat each other with courtesy, respect and friendliness and are eager to share knowledge. Attendees stress the positive links among them, and there is little bickering or complaining. A patriotic strongly pro-gun rights, live and let live outlook is a given and is the overarching shared value that provides positive reinforcement to everything else. Although numerous women attend, the Knob Creek experience is a strongly masculine one for men who have served in their country’s armed forces.

One characteristic of Knob Creek events that contributes strongly to the feeling of good fellowship is the informality of dress. Although there are shooting events that discourage the wearing of camouflage fatigues because of a perceived warlike image they project, fatigues and Knob Creek tee shirts are among the most pervasive forms of apparel. In addition to their utility and their appropriateness for handling dirty, greasy guns and dusty ammunition, the fatigues symbolize support for the U.S. military establishment. But they do more than that. The wearing of camouflage or casual clothing is a leveling device that strips away distinctions of rank, affluence, or occupation and encourages communication. It is, after all, difficult to be stuffy or officious if you’ve in undifferentiated camouflage or wearing a tee shirt that says “Dying a Natural Death Is for Pussies” or “Peace Through Superior Firepower.”

Attendees become aware that at Knob Creek they have entered the nucleus of the Class 3 world, even with regard to information. Consider the visitor who developed an interest in the BAR, thought he might like to have one, and then became aware of FN’s mid-century-updated version, the model “D”. Dan Shea’s Long Mountain Outfitters obligingly brought one to the Creek, and the visitor bought it. But then the visitor was treated to more information on both BAR, designs during a shoot break, for that weekend BAR authority and regular attendee Jim Ballou described the book he was writing on the BAR (The BAR: America’s Rock is available from Long Mountain Outfitters). As a footnote to his presentations, Ballou demonstrated a tripod for the FN “D” that he temporarily borrowed from Kent Lomont. The visitor hadn’t known of the existence of the tripod, but he bought one from Lomont on the way home. It really can be a small, interconnected world, and its elements converge at Knob Creek.

If there is a structure to the Knob Creek Shoot and Show, it definitely reaches its zenith on Saturday night. One cannot help noticing that beginning early in the afternoon, spectators pour into the grounds in anticipation of the evenings pyrotechnic display. Commencing about 5PM, the evenings remaining shooting sessions will involve flammable charges attached to the targets and painted fluorescent orange for heightened visibility. As darkness deepens, these charges are further illuminated by flares, so that gunners can see to aim.

Weather permitting, shooters break out belts of tracer ammunition that they have been hoarding. One of the features of the night shoot is the beautiful lines of orange, red, green and white tracers arcing gracefully down range from various points scattered along the firing line. Both start up and shut down of the various guns are, of course, completely random, and sometimes the lines of light are roughly parallel and at other times converging. Certain guns, especially the short barreled ones produce abnormally loud reports and stunning muzzle flashes, and shooters appear as relatively static dark shapes against the high speed, strobe like flickering light.

There can be other lights as well. Points of brilliant white light that appear to dance about on the steel targets are in reality the strikes of incendiary bullets. In addition, the writer recalls on Saturday night when he became aware that the muzzle flash from a truck-mounted Browning on the left end of the range had become a constant glow. The orange glow that began at the muzzle eventually extended all the way back to the chamber, and only then did the shooter shut it down and change the barrel, having the gun out of service for only a matter of seconds. One hopes that his barrel had a stellite liner. (Dan’s note: This is not a particularly safe practice- bullets can come out the side of barrels superheated to this level)

The final shooting session of the evening, just before 10PM is the grand finale. It consists of approximately eight widely spaced 55 gallon drums each partially full of diesel fuel, with illuminated explosive igniter charges placed on the sides. Each explodes with a thunderous report and concussion and produces a fireball that goes 150 feet into the air, reminding the crowd of scenes in “Apocalypse Now”. Although these targets are about 150 yards down range, it is common for some debris to be blown back towards the firing line, so eye protection is advisable. The last couple of shoots a helicopter has overflown the range, hovered above the top of the backstop hill, turned on a spotlight and ignited a charge below with an M60. By the time the night shoot ends, most viewers have absorbed enough visual, aural, and tactile stimulation to last them for sometime, and the round of applause they spontaneously give the shoot officials and pyro-technicians is richly deserved.

Given the variety of attractions at Knob Creek and the differing reasons people have for attending, a day by day guide should be useful.

BEFORE THE SHOOT

Anyone attending should plan his trip as far in advance as possible. Facilities, especially lodging are limited in the area near the range. The writer recently decided on the Sunday morning of the Spring shoot to reserve a room for Fall and was told that the motel was completely booked for the Fall shoot and that people were booking rooms for the following Spring. There is plenty of motel space in Louisville, but be aware that the city hosts many cultural and racing related events and any of them may coincide with shoots.

If you want to shoot in any of the competitions, enter as early as possible. Not only is space limited, but, if you are not a resident of Kentucky, you must allow time for submission and approval of a Form 5320.20 by BATF for each Title II device you want to transport across state lines.Begin to accumulate the cash you’ll need. As with all American gun shows, cash rules. If you don’t spend it, you can always take it home.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday, the range does its regular business of recreational shooting. Some of the machineguns are set up and going, for there seems to be a trend among shooters to arrive earlier. There may be guns that you won’t see on Friday Through Sunday because the owner doesn’t have a firing line space during the main shoot. Besides this limited amount of shooting, there usually isn’t much going on, so it’s a good day to familiarize yourself with the layout of the property and learn what is where.

THURSDAY

This is the official vendor and machinegun setup day, when security coverage begins. No one is allowed to shoot anywhere, and the public is not allowed in the pole barn at any time. The public is, in fact, officially discouraged from coming to the range by a “No Spectators!” in the official schedule. If you’ve come to the area early, this is a good day to tour the nearby Patton Museum and Fort Knox and to see something of Louisville.

Begin to tune into weather forecasts. Part of the price of that verdant Kentucky foliage is frequent rain. There is almost always rain these times of year during the shoot or within two or three days of it, so it’s a good idea to check the forecast either the night before or the morning of each day you’re there. Be especially careful to park on as level ground and as near the road as possible, for the wet grass and dirt can be extremely slippery. But if you should become stuck, young men on large tractors will pull you out free of charge.

FRIDAY

This is one of the two big days, so don’t waste any of it! The gate opens at 6AM and the cafeteria begins serving the breakfast buffet at 7. Adult admission is presently $7 a day or $15 for the weekend. Children under 12 pay $3 a day or $6 for the weekend. Both the gun show and the shooting blast off at 9, as do the assault rifle match and the old military bolt rifle match. If you plan to buy Knob Creek clothing or other souvenirs, you’ll want to visit the souvenir shop early. The subgun jungle walk commences at noon. As mentioned earlier, the beginning of each day’s shooting is a desirable time to see and hear most of the guns in operation; during the remainder of the shoot they may be in use only occasionally. As soon as you’ve seen and heard everything on the firing line, you may want to make your first circuit of the gun show, which will remain open until 8PM.

SATURDAY

Once again, the front gate opens at 6AM and the breakfast buffet is available an hour later. At 8:30 the subgun championship kicks off, and half an hour later at 9AM both the main firing line and the rental range (where yesterdays assault rifle match was shot) commence for the day. The gun show also starts at 9AM.

It’s desirable to get through the gun show-or at least the parts of most interest to you-a couple of times a day to see if any new items can’t live without have appeared. If you came to buy ammo you should do it early, for those quantities available at the best prices are rapidly bought up. Another good reason for buying ammo or anything else heavy or bulky is that you can hire a “mule” driver to take it and you to the parking lot for a small charge. If you wait until Sunday in the hope of a better price, you run the chance that what you want will already have been sold, while most of the “mules” are packed up early and are consequently not available.

If you plan to watch the night shoot, be sure to bring to the grounds a warm jacket or a heavy sweater or sweatshirt, along with a cap, because the air becomes increasingly cold after 5PM. The writer has seen literally scores of people shivering before dark on Saturday nights and have to leave early because they were too cold to enjoy the night shoot. The writer brings a fleece top and a warm cap in the bottom of a pack sack, and they’ve been most welcome.

People begin to claim seats in the bleachers beginning early Saturday afternoon in anticipation of good seating for the pyrotechnics. Although the latter begins about 5PM, the bleachers are usually nearly filled by 2. Granted, people are constantly coming and going, but contiguous seats for several people can be difficult to come by in later afternoon and the bleachers provide an opportunity to stand on the seat and thereby see over the people standing behind the firing line fence. Be sure you have ear and eye protection, it’s a good idea. Both the night shoot and the gun show end at 10PM and getting out of the parking lot is slow. The front gate is locked at midnight.

SUNDAY

Once again the front gate opens at 6AM and the cafeteria begins serving at 7. The rental range and gun show both open at 9, but on this day the main range does not commence operation until 10, the same time as the assault shotgun match starts. The shoot and show both officially close at 4PM.

One might think that Sunday would also be a heavy shooting day, but one would be wrong. While there is some shooting on Sunday, most attendees switch into homeward bound mode as soon as the Saturday night shoot is over. A number of campers have already broken camp and are heading for home soon after the last explosions. The pattern seems to be that most people use Sunday as a travel day, although some manage to shoot most of Sunday and still arrive home in time to go to work on Monday.

Sunday morning is the time to make any deals that have been left hanging in the hope of lower prices, and you shouldn’t wait to close them. Many of the vendors begin to leave soon after two o’clock, and they will not let you into their areas while they are packing due to security concerns. You will probably have the most success in cutting deals on heavy or bulky items, such as multiple cases of ammo, that the vendors don’t want to have to handle again and take home. Since most of the “mules” are not to be found, you should be prepared to drive down to the show area to pick up whatever you purchase. It’s best to clear this in advance with the security men on the way to the parking lot; a little advance notice on what you’d like to do, accompanied by the promise that you won’t stay long may smooth the way. If you’re allowed to drive down-and remember that it’s a privilege that they may grant, not a right that you’ve paid for-you should already have all your negotiating and purchasing done, so that you are going to the gun show only to pick up purchases. Then get your merchandise as quickly as possible for there’s always a lot of congestion around the gun show on Sunday morning, and don’t forget to thank the security people on the way out in part so that they’ll know you kept your word and didn’t stay long.

As you come to the end of the lane and symbolically cross over the bridge back into the real work, there are always conflicting emotions. It has been a remarkable experience, this combination of shooting, watching, learning and shopping, of seeing old friends and making new ones. The question recurs, where else in the world could all this take place-free men shooting deadly weapons of war in safety and good fellowship? Attendees seem to be aware of this uniqueness of experience, even if only subliminally, for they keep returning in order to perpetuate it. They come, in part, because they can and because the mere act of asserting this freedom helps to keep it alive. As Thomas Paine wrote in 1777, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

There are so many pleasant images and memories to take away! As for this writer who now faces a return drive of about 2450 miles, sometimes he almost reaches Shepherdsville before he begins looking forward to the next Knob Creek Shoot and Show.

“SEE YOU AT THE CREEK!”

The Knob Creek range is located just off Kentucky Highway 44W roughly 17 miles south of Louisville. Highway 44W runs east and west, and the range turnoff (to the south) is approximately 14 miles west of Shepherdsville and approximately one mile east of U.S. Highway 31W-60, the Dixie Highway.

The physical address for mail and for BATF 5320.20 forms is Knob Creek Gun Range, 690 Ritchey Lane, West Point, KY 40177. The telephone number is 502-922-4457. The virtual address for e-mail is: thecreek@sprynet.com Knob Creek’s web pages are http://www.knobcreekrange.com Brochures are available upon request.