The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”.  Today, we look at the history of the Winchester M1907. New Israeli SMASH Scopes The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has procured SMASH electronic scopes: Weapons: Computerized Scopes Evolve. These scopes use software similar to that used with the U.S. TrackingPoint family of smart scopes. (Thanks to Reader Charles B. for the link.) Post-Disaster Gun Carry Approved in Texas Reader Tim J. sent this: Texas Senate approves bill allowing Texans to carry guns …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 29, 2019

On this day in 1780, the treatment of Patriot prisoners by British Colonel Banastre Tarleton and his Loyalist troops led to the coining of a phrase that defined British brutality for the rest of the War for Independence: “Tarleton’s Quarter.” Tarleton and his Torries proceeded to shoot any an all Patriots that had surrendered after the fall of Charleston. The Patriots lost 113 men. The slaughter of the surrendered troops became a propaganda victory for the Continentals and Carolina civilians who had been terrified of Tarleton and their loyalist neighbors now rallied to the Patriot cause. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on magazine storage. (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems (Motorbooks Workshop) o  o  o Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations, by Admiral William H. McRaven o  o  o Woodstove Cookery: At Home on the Range o  o  o TC 31-29 Special Forces Operational Techniques: September, 1988.


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at buying and reselling vintage luggage. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Theresa May Quits As PM – Gold In British Pounds Reaches £1,015 Per Ounce. o  o  o Doyon’s vast Tintina Gold Belt potential Economy & Finance: At Zero Hedge: Italian Bond Yields …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 28, 2019

George Washington, a young lieutenant colonel in the British Army and future president of the United States, led an attack on French forces at Jumonville Glen on this day in 1754. This battle was later credited with being the opening salvo in the French and Indian War (1754 to 1763). In the biography His Excellency: George Washington, historian Joseph Ellis recounts Washington’s first combat experience. Washington and 40 colonial troops had been encamped near the French garrison at Fort Duquesne when he received an urgent message to rescue Indian allies in the area who were threatened by French forces. In …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. Today, we focus on the expanding range of grizzly bears in the American Redoubt. Region-Wide (Grizzly Bears) Reader Tim J. was the first of several readers to send this: Grizzly bears on move in Rockies as hunting is in limbo.  The article begins: “Grizzly bears are expanding their range in the U.S. Northern Rockies, spreading from remote wilderness into farmland amid a legal …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”.  Today, we look at 3D printed guns. Washington State Bans 3D Printed Guns ‘Ghost gun’ ban, other firearms laws signed Bill Banning 3D Printed Firearms Approved In New York Bill Banning ‘Ghost Guns’ And 3D-Printed Firearms Approved In New York State The 3D Printed Gun Revolution Reader G.P. sent this item at Wired: 3D-printed guns are back, and this time they are unstoppable



Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 27, 2019

I’ll start with a bit of breaking EU election news, from England: The newly-formed Brexit Party +31.2% Labour: – 11.9% Liberal Democrat +11.1% Conservative: -12.5% UKIP: -23.9% (Nearly all having apparently jumped to the Brexit Party) Others (Greens, Etc.):  +10.4 That is an astounding result, for a party that didn’t even exist, two months ago! I hope that the new national government that is formed following Teresa May’s imminent ouster gets the message from the voters: Quit fiddling around, and make a hard Brexit! — On this extended weekend, we honor Memorial Day, a day of solemn remembrance in the …


Recipe of the Week: Trisha’s Lemon Spring Greens

Reader Trisha H. kindly sent us one of her favorite side dish recipes, for Lemon Spring Greens. This serves four. Ingredients 18 ounces (or 500 g) of spring greens. 1 large lemon without wax. Sea salt, to taste. Freshly ground black pepper, to taste. 2 TBS virgin olive oil. Directions Grate the lemon zest (the outermost part of the peel) finely onto a cutting board, then transfer to a small jar for which you have a lid. Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze half the juice into the jar, over a wire mesh strainer. (Be careful to strain out any …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at book collecting. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Kitco queries Phil Streible: Why Gold May Not See 2011 Price Levels Again o  o  o The Metals, Money, and Markets Weekly by Mickey Fulp Economy & Finance: At Zero Hedge: Blain: “It Feels Like …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day

“What can be more foolish than to think that all this rare fabric of heaven and earth could come by chance, when all the skill of art is not able to make an oyster? To see rare effects, and no cause ; a motion, without a mover ; a circle, without a centre ; a time, without an eternity ; a second, without a first : these are things so against philosophy and natural reason, that he must be a beast in understanding who can believe in them. The thing formed, says that nothing formed it ; and that which …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 26, 2019

May 26th is the birthday of Randall Hank Williams (Hank Williams, Jr.) He was born 1949. When not touring, he lives Somewhere in Montana, so he qualifies as a Redoubter. He reportedly has a large gun collection which is heavy on Sharps rifles and rifles that have factory letters showing that they were originally shipped to Montana. His song A Country Boy Can Survive is of course practically a survivalist anthem. His father was just 29 when he died, and despite a couple of close calls, Hank Jr. is now well into his golden years, so he may yet live …