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A 4th of July Tribute (Part 2/2)
A 4th of July Tribute Part 2 John McIlduff My great, great, great, great, great Grandfather, John McIlduff, fought in the American Revolution. Not in well-known battles fought along the eastern seaboard, but in skirmishes with Indians whom the British had induced to attack settlers on the western side of the Appalachian Mountains. He served as a private in Captain Thomas Morton’s Company of Westmoreland County Frontier Rangers between 1778 and 1783. It is unlikely that these Rangers were armed with military muskets such as the Model 1763. It is more probable that their weapons consisted of a variety of personal rifles or smooth bore hunting flintlocks, as well as…
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250 Years of American Independence
There are nations older than America, and there are nations larger than America. There are nations with longer histories, greater populations, and older governments – but there has never been another nation quite like the United States of America. Yet, 250 ago, 13 colonies did something the world considered reckless. They declared that government exists to serve the people—not the other way around. They rejected the idea that liberty was a privilege granted by kings. Instead, they proclaimed that freedom was an unalienable right belonging to every individual. It was a decision unlike any the world had ever witnessed. Many of its roots stretched back long before July 4, 1776…
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Honoring Revolutionary War Veteran John McIlduff: A Family Legacy Remembered
Every generation stands on the shoulders of those who came before it. Remembering their sacrifices is one of the greatest ways we can honor both our families and our country’s history. Recently, the Export Historical Society announced the installation of new grave markers honoring Revolutionary War veteran John McIlduff and his wife, Ann, at the historic Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Export, Pennsylvania. A public dedication ceremony will be held on July 13, ensuring their contributions to America’s founding are remembered for generations to come. For many, John McIlduff is simply another name from the Revolutionary War. For the Duff family, he is much more. Scott Duff is a direct…
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A 4th of July Tribute (Part 1/2)
Each year on the 4th of July, I take some time away from cookouts, fireworks, and my family to spend a few moments with my favorite firearm. I sit alone in my gunroom, reflecting upon the one piece in my collection that for me most embodies Independence Day. It doesn’t have a gas cylinder, it isn’t even Parkerized. It isn’t a mint, perfect example; in fact it is probably the worst condition piece in my collection. It is a well-used Model 1763 Charleville flintlock musket, which features a branded “U STATES” surcharge and three sets of initials carved into the stock. Both sling swivels have been removed and the studs…
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Three Icons of American Firepower
The Ruger, M1 Garand, and M1911 — a century of engineering excellence that defined how America shoots. Featured above: John Moses Browning, legendary firearms designer. Few hobbies connect us so directly to American history as owning and shooting classic firearms. Three guns stand above the rest in terms of legacy, mechanical ingenuity, and enduring passion among collectors — the Ruger family, the legendary M1 Garand, and the timeless M1911. Whether you’re a seasoned collector with a climate-controlled safe full of blued steel, or a newcomer drawn in by the romance of a piece of history, these three platforms offer something extraordinary: they reward study. The more you learn, the more…
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Why the Ruger 10/22 Refuses to Fade Away
Few firearms in American history have achieved what the Ruger 10/22 has: near-universal recognition, decades-long relevance, and genuine usefulness across generations. Since its introduction in 1964, the 10/22 has become the default .22 rifle for millions of shooters—not because of hype, but because it simply works. At its core, the 10/22 succeeds by being approachable without being disposable. It’s lightweight, reliable, and unintimidating for new shooters, yet accurate and robust enough to remain interesting for experienced ones. For many Americans, the 10/22 is their first rifle. For many more, it’s the one they never sell. The design itself is a masterclass in practicality. The rotary magazine feeds smoothly and sits…
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The Enduring Meaning of Gun Ownership: Lessons from the M1 Garand
In today’s climate of rapid headlines and polarized debate, it is easy to lose sight of what responsible gun ownership has meant — and continues to mean — to generations of Americans. The subject is often framed in extremes, but history offers a steadier compass. To understand the true place of firearms in American life, one need only look back to a rifle that defined both a generation and a principle: the M1 Garand. When the U.S. Army adopted John C. Garand’s semi-automatic rifle in 1936, it was more than a technological milestone. It represented the belief that ordinary citizens, when properly trained and disciplined, could master complex tools in…
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The M1 Garand: A Landmark in American Firearm History
Few firearms in modern history have exerted as profound an influence on the course of military small arms development as the M1 Garand. Designed by John Cantius Garand, a Canadian-born engineer employed at the United States Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, the rifle represented a decisive shift in infantry armament. Officially adopted by the U.S. Army on January 9, 1936 as the “U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1,” it was the first semi-automatic rifle to be issued as standard equipment to any major military power. The Garand replaced the venerable M1903 Springfield, a bolt-action weapon that, though accurate, could not match the M1’s speed of fire or mechanical efficiency. At a time…
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Back in Print and Better Than Ever
THE US KNIFE BAYONETS & SCABBARDS – A Collector’s Guide As a longtime collector of U.S. military edged weapons, I can confidently say that Gary M. Cunningham’s U.S. Knife Bayonets & Scabbards is one of the most important and comprehensive guides available—and I’m thrilled it’s finally back in print. For years, original copies of this book have commanded steep prices on the secondary market, and for good reason: it’s a cornerstone reference that many serious collectors have relied on for decades. Content That Sets the Standard This book doesn’t just list bayonets—it documents them exhaustively, covering virtually every variation of U.S. knife bayonet from WWI through modern production, including: M1905,…
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Timeless Power: The M1911 Featured in M1911 Owner’s Guide
Few handguns have left an enduring legacy like the legendary Colt M1911. Featured prominently in Scott Duff’s M1911 Owner’s Guide, this semi-automatic .45‑caliber pistol stands as a cornerstone of firearm history and culture. A Breakthrough in Firepower Developed by the genius of John Moses Browning and adopted by the U.S. Army in March 1911, the M1911 revolutionized sidearm design. Its powerful .45 ACP round and short recoil, single-action mechanism delivered a new standard of stopping power and battlefield performance. Its 7–8 round magazine vastly outpaced the revolvers it replaced. Proven Through Global Conflicts From World War I to Vietnam, the M1911 served as the trusted sidearm of U.S. forces. Sgt.…
