Category: Note

January 4th is the birthday of George Hyde, who was born “Heide” in 1888, in Arpfingen, Germany. He was the chief gun designer for the Inland Division of General Motors (GM) in Dayton, Ohio during World War II. Hyde was best-known as the co-designer of the M3 “Grease gun” SMG and the Liberator pistol, but he also designed the Bendix-Hyde Carbine and the M2 Hyde submachinegun. He immigrated to the United States in 1927. A gent at the Nitro Express Forums mentioned some details on his life before World War II: Before 1935 Hyde was the shop foreman and metal …

On this day, in 1521, Martin Luther– the father of the reformation and founder of Protestantism– was officially excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Roman Catholic Church. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day …

January 2nd, 1776 is the anniversary of the Grand Union Flag — first revolutionary flag to be displayed. — Also on this date in 1936, the first night vision electron tube was revealed in St. Louis, Missouri. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be …

Today is the birthday of Jacob Snider (January 1, 1811 – August 18, 1866). He was an American mechanical engineer and inventor. He invented and patented a method of converting existing muzzle-loading rifles into breech-loading rifles, notably the Snider-Enfield. (Pictured.) And, speaking of gun designers, this is also the birthday of John Cantius Garand (January 1, 1888 – February 16, 1974) was born in St. Rémi, Quebec. John Garand designed one of America’s best-known battle rifles, the M1 Garand. General Patton praised Garand’s design, writing to Chief of Ordnance Lt. Gen. Levin H. Campbell, Jr., (January 26, 1945): “The M1 …

December 31st is the birthday of Alexander Solzhenitsyn (pictured) and of Frederick Selous. (He died on January 4th, 1917.) — We’ve just heard of the passing of actress Dawn Wells (of Gilligan’s Island fame).  In her later years, she settled in Driggs, Idaho, a town famous for its view of the “back side” of the Grand Tetons. There, Wells did a stint as the town’s Mayor. So she was an honorary Redoubter. SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists …

December 30, 1865 was the birthday of Rudyard Kipling. — Our big rifle sale at Elk Creek Company ends at 5 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021. We’ve already had more than $15,000 in orders since ordering resumed on December 26th, depleting our inventory.  Get your order in soon! SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth …

130 years ago today, the tragic Wounded Knee massacre took place. — This is also the birthday of inventor Charles Goodyear (1800–1860.) — And today is the birthday of actor Jude Law (born 1972.) You will probably remember him from Enemy at The Gates and Sky Captain. — I recently reactivated the order-taking system at Elk Creek Company  — my sideline antique gun business. Please note that I’ve set special sale prices on nearly all of the full-length rifles in our inventory. With the Biden Administration soon to take over the White House, is strongly recommend that you buy a …

December 28, 1793 is the day that Thomas Paine was arrested in France for treason. The charges against him were never fully detailed, but he was tried in absentia on December 26 and convicted. Best known as the author of Common Sense, he moved to Paris to be part of the French revolution. Initially welcomed, the tide soon turned against him, because he was opposed to the death penalty and the French revolutionaries were sending hundreds to the guillotine. — I just heard of the passing of bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice.  He will be missed! — Today, another product …

On this day in 1979, in an attempt to stabilize the turbulent political situation in Afghanistan, the Soviet Union sent 75,000 troops to enforce the installation of Babrak Karmal as the new leader of the nation. The new government and the imposing Soviet presence, however, had little success in putting down anti-government rebels. Thus began nearly 10 years of an agonizing, destructive, and ultimately fruitless Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan. It was death by a thousand cuts. — I will be back at the Rawles Ranch in seven days, so I’ve resumed taking orders at Elk Creek Company, with a …

On December 26, 2004, the Indian Ocean region Tsunami took more than 250,000 lives. On December 26th, 1776, after crossing the Delaware River, Washington led his men against Hessian mercenary soldiers garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans, significantly boosting their flagging morale. — Hooray! Brexit congrats to our readers in the United Kingdom. After four and a half years, you finally negotiated your way out of Burger King! — After a month-long hiatus, I just reactivated the order-taking system at Elk Creek Company  — my sideline …

To those who are celebrating the Advent of our Lord and Savior, the team at SurvivalBlog wishes you a peaceful and meaningful Christmas. For those who choose to celebrate our Lord through the biblical feasts, stay safe out there during this holiday season. Our prayer is that each and every one of you enjoys your family time. Stay safe on those wintry roads. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a …

December 24 is the anniversary of when John Joe Gray’s legal troubles began, in 2000. He and his family had been self-sufficiently holed up in their Texas ranch for nearly 15 years, in defiance of a warrant for his arrest, before the district attorney dropped the charges. This was the longest standoff in American history, in which he faced the administrations of four different county sheriffs. — Some good news was announced on Wednesday evening, from our friends at The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC): Today, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) issued “the withdrawal of a notice …

December 23rd is the anniversary of the establishment of the exclusive private banking cartel known as The Federal Reserve, in 1913. I recommend the book The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve. And December 23rd is the birthday of Founding Father and Supreme Court Justice John Jay. (Born 1745, died May 17, 1829.) — Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids is offering a year-end 20% discount on all of the items at www.CanningLids.com, exclusively for SurvivalBlog readers.  This discount is effective immediately and will remain in effect through January 3, 2021 simply by entering the coupon …

December 22nd is the anniversary of the death of SP4 James T. Davis, the first uniformed American combat casualty of the Vietnam War, in 1961. This ASA soldier (of the 3rd Radio Research Unit) was killed in a Viet Cong ambush on a road outside Saigon. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A …

On December 21, 1620, William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims landed on what is now known as Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts. — Today marks the Winter Solstice. I now feel quite ready for longer days! – JWR — My #1 Son wrote to mention that the newly-released book that we co-authored is selling well, and that it has garnered several quite positive reviews: Survival Retreats & Relocation: A Guide to Finding Your Secure and Sustainable Home is available in softcover, or as an e-book.  If you’ve read it, then we’d appreciate seeing your review, at Amazon.com. Thanks! — And …