With Logan down with the sickness, we’re cracking open the NLB

On this episode of the No Lowballers podcast, host Logan Metesh of

Show Topics:

Archaeological Insights:

Ballistic Studies and Their Revelations:

Human Stories Behind the Battle:

Closing Thoughts:

Logan and Allen reflect on the discussion, highlighting the importance of

Order Bullet Strikes here:

https://gunandswordcollector.com/product/bullet-strikes-american-revolution/

Read the American Society of Arms Collectors articles Joel

https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/I-Roundball-Shooting-Phase-1-Report-Revised-3-20-24.pdf

Have you ever visited the North Bridge or any other Revolutionary War sites?

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If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history,

And as always:

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

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This week on the No Lowballers Podcast, we step slightly outside the gun safe — but not far. Because if you know anything about collectors, you know the Venn diagram between gun guys and watch guys has a lot of overlap.

Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner from GunBroker sit down with Oscar Chabrat of Praesidus Watch Company, a brand built around honoring American veterans through historically inspired timepieces that incorporate real battlefield materials.

And yes — we’re talking actual sand from Normandy and Iwo Jima, aircraft aluminum and more.

🔹 The Lost Watch of D-Day

Praesidus began with a story.

World War II veteran Tom Rice — who famously re-jumped into Normandy at 97 years old — had lost his A-11 service watch during his original D-Day jump. Praesidus recreated that watch, launching the brand with a faithful homage to the U.S. military’s A-11 specification timepiece.

From that first collaboration grew a company dedicated to honoring veterans through meaningful design.

🔹 Watches with Real History Embedded

Praesidus doesn’t just replicate history — they integrate it.

Some of the standout pieces discussed in this episode include:

• Utah Beach 80th Anniversary Watch

o Dial split between a Normandy invasion map and real sand from Utah Beach

o One of the brand’s most iconic designs

• Iwo Jima & Pacific Front Collection

o Volcanic black sand from Iwo Jima embedded into the dial

o New “Pacific Front” version features a mapped progression of the entire Pacific campaign, from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa

• C-47 Skytrain Edition

o Dials punched directly from authentic C-47 aircraft aluminum

o Offered in varying levels of patina

• Neptune 44

o Watch cases submerged in the tides off Utah Beach for 60 days

o Naturally aged by salt, sand and surf

• Veteran Tribute Pieces

o Bud Anderson (P-51 “Old Crow”)

o Diz Laird (Ace of Two Oceans)

o Vince Speranza (101st Airborne, Bastogne)

Each piece balances commemoration with responsibility — something Oscar emphasizes repeatedly throughout the conversation.

🔹 Why Watches Matter in Military History

We talk about rifles, machine guns and sidearms all the time.

But battlefield coordination depended on accurate timekeeping. The A-11 specification watch was critical to synchronizing attacks, artillery and navigation across land, sea and air.

Praesidus is shining a spotlight on that often overlooked but essential tool of war.

🔹 What’s Coming Next?

Oscar shares some exciting developments:

• Hand-painted Utah Beach dial scenes

• A Willys Jeep hood project in development

• Potential B-17 and B-25 aircraft collaborations

• Official U.S. Army licensed watches

• Modern field watch concepts designed with active duty use in mind

The challenge now? How do you top D-Day sand and Iwo Jima volcanic ash?

Praesidus is trying.

If you appreciate military history, collectible firearms, aviation lore or meaningful craftsmanship, this episode is right in your wheelhouse.

👉 Check out the latest Pacific Front collection at Praesidius

👉 Drop a comment and tell us: Which design is your favorite?

👉 What historical material should they work with next?

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

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⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.

January 2026 changed everything for the NFA landscape. With the federal tax stamp dropping to zero dollars, suppressors and other NFA items moved from niche curiosity to mainstream reality almost overnight. In this episode, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com break down the staggering numbers released by the ATF, explore what “common use” really looks like in practice, and put modern NFA growth into perspective with some eye-opening comparisons.

This is a data-driven episode that proves statistics do not have to be boring when they rewrite decades of firearms history.

Episode Highlights

• ATF processed more than 240,000 suppressor forms in January alone

• Total January approvals reached nearly 385,000 NFA items when including SBRs and SBSs

• The suppressor registry now sits at approximately 5.7 million units, with nearly 900,000 added in just the last 18 months

• January alone may represent nearly 5 percent of all NFA items registered since 1934

• Suppressor ownership is rapidly reinforcing the legal concept of “common use” following Heller, McDonald and Bruen

• Price compression is accelerating adoption, with quality rimfire suppressors now available below the former tax stamp cost

• Modern approval rates briefly hit one approved form every 11 seconds, 24 hours a day

• The ATF backlog still grew despite record approvals, highlighting sustained demand

• Comparisons put NFA growth into perspective against:

o City populations

o Iconic firearms production runs

o Military force sizes

o Automotive, aviation and consumer-goods manufacturing

• Transferable machine guns remain capped at approximately 234,000 units, a number that can only decline under current law

• Discussion of Form 1 suppressors, home manufacturing and the possibility of “disposable” suppressor concepts

• How suppressors are becoming normalized for hunting, sport shooting and everyday firearms ownership

Key Takeaway

The modern NFA market no longer resembles its past. January 2026 marked a fundamental shift, not just in volume but in perception. Suppressors are no longer fringe accessories. By every measurable standard, they are firmly entering common use.

If someone sent you this episode, they probably want you to buy a suppressor.

Or at least buy one for yourself.

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.

What makes a firearm truly iconic? Is it performance, history, pop culture, military adoption, or simply a silhouette you recognize instantly? In this episode, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker sit down for a two-host deep dive into the firearms that transcend their original purpose and become cultural symbols.

From Hollywood legends to battlefield standards, the conversation explores how certain guns become embedded in our collective memory, even when they were not always the best tool for the job. The discussion spans centuries, platforms, and philosophies, highlighting why “iconic” means something different to everyone.

Key Topics Discussed

• What “iconic” really means when applied to firearms

• Visual silhouettes and why instant recognition matters

• Pop-culture icons like the SPAS-12 and Desert Eagle

• Historic standards including the Browning Auto-5 and Colt Single Action Army

• Military adoption and its role in shaping legends

• The Beretta 92 and its rise through Hollywood and service use

• Lever guns and why “Winchester” became shorthand for the category

• Pump-action royalty: Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870

• Bolt-action debates: Model 70 vs. Model 700

• AR vs. AK as global Cold War symbols

• Why some great designs never reached true icon status

• How marketing, movies, and availability influence legacy

Why It Matters

Icons are not always defined by technical superiority. Sometimes they are shaped by timing, culture, war, or cinema. This episode breaks down how firearms earn their place in history and why certain designs continue to dominate our imagination decades later.

Join the Conversation

What firearms do you consider iconic and why? Let us know which guns we missed and what makes them stand out in your eyes.

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.

This week on the No Lowballers podcast, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com mark a milestone that few expected back in 2006: the 20th anniversary of the Taurus Judge. Joining the show is returning guest Caleb Giddings to unpack how one of the most debated revolvers in modern firearms history went from punchline to perennial best seller. From big dumb fun to real-world utility, the Judge’s staying power tells a much bigger story about gun culture, innovation and why not every firearm needs to be taken so seriously.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why the Taurus Judge shocked the industry when it debuted in 2006

• The real reasons the Judge has endured for two decades

• Hybrid revolvers, garden guns and the Judge’s snake-slaying reputation

• How fun factor drives long-term firearms success

• The evolution of defensive .410 and .45 Colt ammunition

• Why the Judge helped influence modern .410 loads and platforms

• Expanding the Judge into a full product family

• Big swings, missed swings and Taurus’ willingness to experiment

• Why casual gun owners love the Judge more than gun nerds expect

• Teasing what may be next for the Judge line at NRA Annual Meetings

Why It Matters:

The Taurus Judge proves that innovation does not always need universal approval to succeed. Sometimes, a firearm wins because it works, it’s accessible and it puts a grin on your face. Twenty years later, the Judge remains a reminder that the market, not the comment section, decides what lasts.

Learn More from Taurus:

• Taurus educational videos and how-to content:

https://www.makeready.tv/en/

• Taurus USA on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TaurusUSA

• Taurus USA on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/taurususa/

If you have ever owned a Taurus Judge, wanted one or made fun of one before secretly enjoying it, this episode is for you. Share it with a friend who needs to hear the gospel of big dumb fun, and stay tuned for what Taurus has planned next.

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.

When winter weather knocks out power and production plans, the No Lowballers crew does what any seasoned collectors would do. Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com dig into the archives and bring back one of the most informative and entertaining episodes in the show’s history. This Best Of episode revisits Episode 11 featuring David Parrish of GunBroker, widely known around the office as the Chief Lowballer.

In this classic conversation, the crew breaks down how smart buyers find real value on GunBroker without being lowballers, how penny auctions really work and how collectors can use platform tools to research, track and value firearms and gear.

Featured Highlights

• Why this week’s episode is a throwback and how winter storms forced the crew into archive mode

• How David Parrish earned the nickname “Chief Lowballer” and what that actually means

• Practical strategies for finding undervalued listings without insulting sellers

• How to properly use the GunBroker watch list and alerts to track niche and collectible items

• Why GunBroker’s 15-minute rule changes bidding strategy and eliminates last-second sniping

• Penny auctions explained, including where real value exists and where discipline matters

• Why ammo, accessories and oddball gear often offer the best penny auction opportunities

• Using completed listings and sales history to help value collections for insurance or estate planning

• Surprising trends in the collector market, including Colt Snake Eyes Python sets commanding five-figure prices

• How increased visibility can suddenly awaken dormant collector categories

• The role of research, patience and pattern recognition in winning auctions consistently

Why It Matters

Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seasoned collector or someone tasked with valuing a family firearm collection, this episode offers practical, repeatable advice you can apply immediately. It also reinforces a core No Lowballers philosophy: smart buying is about knowledge and timing, not insulting offers.

Episode Takeaways

• Penny auctions are a tool, not a guarantee

• Watch lists and alerts are essential for niche collectors

• Research completed sales, not asking prices

• Market trends can change quickly once collectors take notice

• Value hunting rewards patience, not impulse

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.

The No Lowballers crew heads straight to the SHOT Show 2026 floor for a bonus episode packed with first impressions, emerging trends and industry insight. Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com break from the usual long-form format to deliver an on-the-ground look at what is shaping the firearms world this year.

Key Topics and Takeaways

• The Year of the Suppressor

The $0 tax stamp officially reshapes the market, with an estimated 150,000 forms filed on January 1 alone. Suppressors dominate SHOT Show conversations, with established brands expanding lineups and unexpected names entering the space.

• New Entrants Shake Up the Suppressor Market

Lyman debuts affordable rimfire and centerfire suppressors with impressive performance and durability. EOTech enters the suppressor category, reinforcing expectations that tube-manufacturing companies will continue to move into the space.

• CVA Joins the Suppressor Conversation

Known for rifles, CVA introduces suppressors with interchangeable end caps, offering shooters options for maximum suppression or improved flow-through cooling.

• SBRs, Braces and the Open Question

While suppressors dominate filings, the future of SBRs and short-barreled shotguns remains less clear. The crew discusses whether improved brace designs have effectively reduced consumer demand for traditional SBRs.

• PCCs and the Rise of 10mm

Nemo Arms expands its Mongoose platform to 10mm, delivering soft recoil through a delayed system. Maxim and others lean into PCCs offered as braced pistols or factory SBRs. The resurgence of 10mm continues across platforms, from PCCs to double-stack pistols.

• Anniversaries Everywhere

SHOT Show 2026 is packed with milestone celebrations, including Beretta’s 500th anniversary, Gunsight turning 50 and the Taurus Judge marking 20 years. Anniversary years mean commemorative firearms and renewed focus on brand history.

• Compact Innovation and Folding Designs

Rock Island Armory unveils a fully folding 12-gauge shotgun that packs into a backpack while retaining full-size capability when deployed. Palmetto State Armory explores a modern take on the Master Key concept.

• Double-Stack 1911s Continue Their Run

Kimber enters the double-stack market with U.S.-made pistols priced under $1,000, including 9mm and 10mm options that surprise with shootability and recoil control.

• Milsurp Meets Modern Manufacturing

Murdoch & Company introduces a civilian-legal SA80 project using surplus British components blended with newly manufactured U.S. parts, creating one of the closest civilian versions ever offered.

• A Quieter but Strategic SHOT Show

Smaller booth footprints and leaner staffing reflect industry realities, but innovation continues through thoughtful design, platform extensions and selective new launches.

What’s Next

GunBroker.com will continue delivering SHOT Show coverage throughout the week, with deeper dives, product features and industry conversations. Full-length No Lowballers episodes return next week, along with a packed slate of guests and stories planned for 2026.

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.

This episode of the No Lowballers Podcast is a deep, wide-ranging conversation about one of the most influential figures in firearms and hunting history: Jack O’Connor. Nearly 50 years after his death, O’Connor’s impact on American gun culture, rifle selection, cartridge debates and outdoor writing remains unmatched.

Joining Logan Metesh of ⁠High Caliber History ⁠and Allen Forkner of ⁠GunBroker.com⁠ is acclaimed gun writer, former big-game guide and ⁠Backcountry Hunting Podcast⁠ host Joseph von Benedikt. Together, they explore O’Connor’s legacy as a writer, hunter and thinker, his famous advocacy of the .270 Winchester, his legendary debates with Elmer Keith and how modern gun writing has drifted from storytelling toward formulaic product coverage.

The conversation is also timely, as firearms, books and artwork from Jack O’Connor’s personal collection and his son Bradford’s collection are ⁠currently available on GunBroker.com⁠, offering collectors a rare opportunity to own tangible pieces of firearms history.

Key Topics Discussed

• Why Jack O’Connor remains a towering figure in firearms and hunting culture

• O’Connor’s rise from journalism professor to Outdoor Life shooting editor

• The .270 Winchester and how O’Connor helped define its legacy

• O’Connor’s famous debates with Elmer Keith and the big bore versus velocity divide

• Shot placement versus cartridge obsession and what O’Connor really believed

• The North American Grand Slam, sheep hunting and unintended consequences

• Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 rifles and why they still matter today

• Post-64 Winchester changes and O’Connor’s blunt criticism

• The decline of literary storytelling in modern gun writing

• SEO-driven content versus meaningful narrative journalism

• Why reading is essential to becoming a great writer

• Modern rifles, fast-twist barrels and how today’s technology would have appealed to O’Connor

• A rare one-of-one ⁠Jack O’Connor tribute Model 70⁠ currently up for auction

• Why stories, not gear, are the true reason people hunt and shoot

Why It Matters

Jack O’Connor didn’t just influence what people hunted with. He influenced how people thought about hunting, rifles and marksmanship. His writing elevated outdoor journalism into something literary, thoughtful and deeply personal. In an era dominated by spec sheets and SEO metrics, this episode serves as a reminder of why storytelling matters and why O’Connor’s voice still echoes through the firearms world decades later.

Auction Highlight

Firearms, books and artwork from Jack O’Connor’s personal collection and his son Bradford’s collection are currently available on GunBroker.com. Among the highlights is a one-of-one tribute Winchester Model 70 featuring custom engraving and a special Leupold scope made in O’Connor’s honor.

Search ⁠Jack O’Connor⁠ on GunBroker.com to view the full collection. Bidding is live now for a limited time.

Guest Spotlight

Joseph von Benedikt

• Veteran gun writer for major outdoor publications

• Former professional big-game hunting guide

• Host of the ⁠Backcountry Hunting Podcast⁠

• Known for thoughtful, experience-driven storytelling and technical insight

Listen, Watch and Subscribe

If you appreciate thoughtful conversations about firearms history, hunting culture and the stories behind iconic guns, be sure to subscribe to the No Lowballers Podcast. New episodes feature collectors, historians, writers and industry insiders who care about more than just specs and trends.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ ⁠and Allen at ⁠⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.⁠

The No Lowballers podcast kicks off 2026 with a deep dive into one of the most respected and misunderstood names in American firearms history. The Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker are joined by Tom Taylor, chief marketing officer for CZ-USA, for a wide-ranging conversation on the legacy of Dan Wesson, the family behind the name, and what the future holds for the brand.

This episode goes well beyond product talk. It explores lineage, innovation, craftsmanship, and the philosophy of quality above quantity that defined Dan Wesson from the beginning. From the revolvers that challenged the industry status quo to the modern Dan Wesson 1911s collectors prize today, this is essential listening for shooters, historians, and serious collectors.

Episode Highlights

• Why Dan Wesson remains one of the most misunderstood firearms brands

• The Wesson family lineage and its deep ties to Smith & Wesson history

• Daniel Baird Wesson II’s departure and the founding of Dan Wesson Firearms

• How interchangeable barrels and precision manufacturing set early revolvers apart

• The philosophy of quality above quantity and its long-term impact

• Dan Wesson’s sudden passing and the challenges that followed

• Ownership changes leading up to CZ’s acquisition in 2005

• The evolution from revolvers to world-class production 1911s

• Why Dan Wesson 1911s bridge the gap between production and full custom guns

• The preserved Wesson family archives and private museum

• Emotional moments reconnecting the Wesson family with the modern brand

• What the 2026 relaunch means for packaging, presentation, and identity

• Active conversations around a potential return of Dan Wesson revolvers

• Innovation plans and what lies ahead for the brand

Watch the Dan Wesson History Video

To add powerful context to this episode, watch the exclusive video featuring Eric Wesson sharing never-before-told family stories and artifacts from the Wesson archives.

🎥 Watch here:

https://vimeo.com/1120274759/2b249646b8?share=copy

• Do you own a Dan Wesson revolver or 1911, and what drew you to the brand?

• Would you like to see Dan Wesson re-enter the revolver market?

• How important is historical lineage when choosing a firearm or collectible?

• Does quality above quantity still matter in today’s firearms market?

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday.

In the final new episode of the year, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com go hunting for sacred cows and digging into some of the most persistent myths in the gun world. From whether Doughboys liked the 1911, to who actually carried Colt SAAs, to the truth behind trench guns and the Old West, the guys separate legend from history with equal parts humor and heresy.

🔥 The 1911 Wasn’t Loved at First

• Early troops distrusted semi-autos and preferred revolvers.

• Logistics, mixed training, reliability fears and unfamiliar manuals of arms fueled complaints.

• The 1911 became an icon later — not on day one.

🔥 The Luger: Beautiful, Complicated and Misunderstood

• Though seen today as refined and elite, the Luger began as an economical option.

• Its toggle system was gorgeous but finicky in mud, dirt and combat.

• Many “bringbacks” aren’t proven — and prices often ride on collector myth, not fact.

🔥 The Gun That Won the West… Didn’t

• The Winchester 1873 became a legend through marketing and Hollywood, not widespread frontier use.

• Real settlers relied more on simple doubles, single shots, cap-and-ball conversions and inexpensive pocket revolvers.

• Price, durability and repairability mattered far more than style.

🔥 Colt SAAs in the West

• Ranch hands and cowboys were far more likely to carry Harrington & Richardsons, Iver Johnsons or Merwin-Hulberts.

• SAAs appeared more with ranch owners, gamblers, travelers or cavalry.

• Conversions from older Colts far outnumbered factory SAAs in frontier towns.

🔥 Trench Guns: Iconic but Overhyped

• The heat shield, bayonet and slam fire look incredible — but true trench use was rare.

• They saw more service as guard guns, POW control or utility weapons.

• Heavy uniforms, limited capacity and slow reloads undercut the myth of the “trench broom.”

🔥 Why We Believe the Legends

• Hollywood cemented many myths: 1894s used in 1870s Westerns, trench guns glorified, derringers kept alive by screen time.

• Firearms carry stories like no other tools — part history, part nostalgia, part marketing.

Tell us in the comments:

1. Which myth today surprised you the most?

2. Do you own a “legend gun,” and why?

3. What myths or tropes should we tackle next year?

• Vote for us in the Gundies — Category 18 of 19 at gundies.com.

• Catch up on past episodes during the holidays.

• Like, comment, subscribe and share to keep the show growing.

• New episodes return January 2026.

Thanks for more than two years of support. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year — and may Santa deliver something worthy of the safe.

And as always:

👍 Like the episode

💬 Leave a comment

🔁 Share it with a fellow firearms enthusiast

📲 Subscribe and follow

⭐ Leave a review wherever you listen

Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight each week.

Follow No Lowballers on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday. Find Logan at ⁠⁠High Caliber History⁠⁠ and Allen at ⁠⁠GunBroker⁠⁠.