I used to have a large fallacy .. now I've got frayed collars:

"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." G K Chesterton

I've lately been debating with Google's AI Companion on matters of Fact, Science and Philosophy. It's initial responses are often superficial and incorrect .. BUT when challenged - Computer wakes-up and treats you seriously. Intriguing.

When I was a teenager I used to have a really big fallacy ..

Over 600 Fit and Proper NZ People gave-up their NZ Firearms Licence            IN JUNE

My DELUSION: - As a lad I was taught that my teachers and managers, the aristocrats, royalty, and Members of Parliament were decent wise leaders, deserving of my respect and gratitude for looking after me as my "ELDERS AND BETTERS" - this conditioning had been formalised by the Church of England's Shorter Catechism since 1647..

I now know better - indeed it is now well proven that this privileged top-ten scum layer of our "Free Market" (and their enforcers) are greedy selfish, power-seeking criminals who's sole aim in life is to increase their wealth holdings by controlling all economic regulation and media stories.

There is a reason that business revenue is called "The TAKINGS"

So effective is this control that the people of our Western World seem to happily accept it when an analysis by Dutch charity Oxfam Novib reveals that Elon Musk’s wealth as a trillionaire exceeds the combined wealth of the poorest 46% of the Earth's population. 

- This means his net wealth is greater than the total accumulated assets of approximately 3.8 BILLION people combined.

A RIVETING Story ..

- My #1 favorite Dickies SHIRT was fvcked .. have you noticed that your most comfortable shirt ALWAYS wears out, because the spiteful gremlins spend months attacking it? - Anyway the collar was such a frayed disgrace that even I was ashamed to be seen in public, with tatty neck-rags waving about in the breeze. - I can remember my Mum 75 years ago unpicking my Dad's shirt collars and reversing them with the worn surface under - and hand sewing them to the neck of the shirt while listening to the "wireless". 

I gave-up on that thought when I couldn't even thread the needle - BUT a brainwave led me to order a cheap 'leather rivet kit' from AliExpress that let me fold the collar outside-in and rivet it into it's new fashionable design .. if anyone falls about laughing at my garb - I'll tell them that it's a souvenir from a recent trecking holiday in the Himalayas.

Anyway .. when I run out of rags to convert into clothing, I will have a go at gluing and riveting some soft leather into sheaths for knives and even take a look at HOLSTERS or even "Possibles Bags"?.

There is SO much fun to be had eh ..

So .. If 600 decent kiwis surrendered their F.Licences in ONE MONTH of 2026 - how long will it take for only a few hundred decent folk to remain legally licensed gun owners here?

And - for our Agriculture, Forestry and birdlife to suffer disastrous longterm damage from unchecked growth of feral introduced pests?

Are You Fit and Proper? 

Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY The Firearms Register has "retired" - so should we now expect things to improve?

 Immaginative President of NZ Police Association - Detective Inspector CAHILL has "stood down"  AND RETIRED FROM THE POLICE SERVICE ..  

 Police Commissioner CHAMBERS is the EIGHTH Senior Police Administrator subject to investigation. 

- Plus, now Detective Inspector VERRY is under 'employment investigation' as over 50 of his abuse cases are re-opened

THESE are the same people who dictated the rules judging we LAW ABIDING 'FIT AND PROPER' CITIZENS - LAWFULLY LICENSED GUN OWNERS, as CRIMINALS ..

It was Police Failure to properly vet the SCUM Australian killer Tarrant, that preceded him killing 51 innocents in 2019 ..

WHEN will The Coronial Inquiry into the Christchurch Masjidain Attack be completed? 

- In the interest of Public Safety -

FIREARMS LICENCES ESSENTIAL FOR NZ POLICE.

Marty K

QUALITY - 'Unicorns' & Nutters.

Former NZ Minister of Police, Gun Banner Stuart 'Nutter' Nash  has withdrawn his attempt to re-enter Parliament as a candidate for New Zealand First ..

- ex? Waikato Police District Commander, Superintendent Bruce Bird is presently the Acting Executive Director  in charge of  the 'independant'  (non-Police) 

NZ FIREARMS SAFETY AUTHORITY .. The Gun Register:

He does not have an exemplary record of police service ..

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/.../NH3LKM5ZZVCBLIUCBABMS4T34A/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/.../waikato-cop-investigated-over...

#56 Orange varnished handle contrasted with a London Gun .. 

You CAN tell the Difference

'no.56' (top) is a cheaply made antique pistol with a wood handle - when new it would have worked - but nobody would have shown it proudly to their kids as a treasure .. The other is a quality 'London Gun' having decent engraving, fine checkering on walnut grips, better fitted parts, London Hall Marks & superior finish. - Not all which is old is a treasure - they made some crap back then to palm-off on the underpriviledged, just as they do now.

 An endoscope view of no.56 down the 10mm bore to the combustion/nipple chamber

Many of these old black powder 'Muzzle Loader' pocket pistols have rough bores - in this case it appears blackened by use, with a corroded 'build-up' .. but even the "clean" smooth bores that I have seen mostly seem to have been roughly drilled (.. but I did recently get my grubby hands on a quality PAIR of London marked pocket pistols having almost shiny bores)

There are illegible assembly numbers on No.56's barrel and also on the varnished orange stock - but no makers logo nor proof marks.

But at least this one wasn't loaded when received. - You do need to check every firearm is safe.  Even antiques - Every one.

As bought - this low budget boxlock antique was in less than decent condition apart from a crushed rusted nipple that I had to grind away and chip out with a pin-punch. - Rough Enough.

QUALITY: We can only buy what we can afford - but please think twice before feeding yourself and kids on cheap slurry-paste Mechanicaly Separated Meat sausages in animal hide collagen skins. The list of chemical additives in meat trimmings "food" is scary .. hydrophilic & lipophilic binders, phosphates (STPP & SAPP) Diglycerides & Monoglycerides, fillers & extenders, sulfites & Nitrites & Nitrates, Cochineal & Red40/Allura Red ..

Note: Pic's New Zealand made PEANUT BUTTER is no longer sourced solely from Australia.

AND .. McVities "Chocolate Digestive" biscuits - once a long time favourite - are now sprayed with a "Cocoa Reduced Alternative" of palm oil, shea oil (used for skincare), and sugar.

- Have you sussed that YouTube sells costly advertising to sellers (that we consumers pay for) - AND then sells us viewers the Premium option of paying to NOT have advertising?

Despite the world being led by power crazed psychopaths - Life is Good

Are You Fit and Proper? Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY The Firearms Register has "retired" - so should we now expect things to improve?

 The Immaginative President of NZ Police Association - CAHILL has "stood down" and RETIRED from The Police.

- NOW Police Commissioner CHAMBERS is the EIGHTH Senior Administrator to be subject to investigation.

In the interest of Public Safety

FIREARMS LICENCES FOR NZ POLICE.

I bought another 'something useful' ..

A French Antique Coffee Roaster - hand turned

- soon I will again fill the house with coffee bean smoke ..

BRAZIL Cerrado Arabica beans .. French roasted in rural South Island

First tasting from my French Press, medium grind, was 'Pleasantly CHARRED with a Little bitter Cocoa' .. Highly rated with a spoonful of condensed dairy milk

Marty K.

Shooting Gear - The Older the Better: Detail ..

Have owned a few new guns over the years - Multiple Glocks in mixed calibers and barrel lengths (and colours), and several freshly imported Rugers including a pair of 4 inch SP101 Stainless Steel Revolvers - one in .22 LR and 'tuther in 327 Federal Magnum, but naturally me being a working class family man - just about everything that I've owned over decades is well used, second-hand - or nowadays it's fashionable to say "Preloved" ..

.22 Ruger,  and an Israeli Stamped 38/200  Caliber Webley MkIV

Ruger bought new - but the Webley has a lot of history over the years with a 'Star-of-David' stamp forward of the cylinder. - These MkIV's started with British Military service back in 1932, and while many of them were finished with black enamel paint - this one has very nice, but worn commercial  bluing.

Tell me that a modern battery needed plastic version will last as long as this Salter Armourers Trigger Pull Gauge from World War One ..

An internal spring lasts much longer than a dry cell or a rechargeable battery and it won't break when dropped either:

This "double "Damascus" barreled Pocket Pistol" is a wee beauty as-bought antique, with pattern welded steel barrels - but has some corrosion pitting from usage close to the nipples.

Whereas this next, London Proofed 'Old Girl' was in an awful, disgusting, orange-brown-rusty- scabby-corroded condition when bought and I seriously planned to make a replacement barrel .. but hours of refinishing managed to bring it back ..

Oddly - The bore had been greased and was near perfect & glossy ..

but the rest was disgusting.

I had to do so much remedial metalwork to restore that 'lovely' - that I know some expert know-all fuds will declare I ruined it's collector value and have lost all of it's historic PATINA. Sure, but it was a scrap metal RELIC until I worked on it for hour upon hours .. And I'm proud of it.

Yes I know how the Ruger came to New Zealand as I paid for it's Permits, Importation by air and Registration - but I can't start to guess at how and when these vintage and antique pieces made their way to New Zealand - in whos hands they had wandered the world, what seas were crossed on which vessels?

Here's another two older, mid-19th Century pocket pistols - one Birmingham marked, one London marked

I like them both BUT compare the 'close-up' detail quality of their Dolphin hammers ..

'London' v Birmingham .. Fairly Obvious DISPARITIES of quality ..

but was the 'London' Gun truly made in London?

Now, - I know nothing about engraving other than the cutting tools are called 'gravers' and there is some wonderful handwork to be seen .. but take a look at this below which is a fairly common kind of antique from maybe 170 years ago that is on a piece that has a lot of use, wear and damage. Every single shading line hand cut ..

- a poor image from a cellphone - but look at the hand-cut detail 

- this is NOT a presentation gun but only a battered old working self-defence tool.

                                         Are You Fit and Proper? 

Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY The Firearms Register has "retired" - so should we now expect things to improve?

 Immaginative President of NZ Police Association - Detective Inspector CAHILL has "stood down"  AND RETIRED FROM THE SERVICE ..  

 Police Commissioner CHAMBERS is the EIGHTH Senior Police Administrator subject to investigation. - Plus, now Detective Inspector VERRY is under employment investigation as over 50 of his cases are re-opened

THESE are the same  people who dictated the rules judging LAW ABIDING 'FIT AND PROPER' LAWFULLY LICENSED GUN OWNERS ..

It was Police Failure to properly vet the SCUM Australian killer Tarrant, that preceded him killing 51 innocents in 2019 ..

WHEN will The Coronial Inquiry into the Christchurch Masjidain Attack be completed? 

- And when will it release the full and final findings following the conclusion of the Inquiry?

Are they waiting until the Findings will be regarded as "Old News"?

Findings may include recommendations under Section 57 (3) of the Coroners Act 2006, aimed at preventing deaths in similar circumstances in the future.

- In the interest of Public Safety -

FIREARMS LICENCES ESSENTIAL FOR NZ POLICE.

Life is GOOD ..

Marty K.

ALUMINUM Revolver FRAMES Rubbish? v SCANDIUM Brilliance?:

 Wow .. The .22 Rimfire BB Cap was introduced way back in 1845 (that's 181 years ago, doesn't time fly?) in France by L-N Flobert and S&W introduced the 'Short' into America twelve years later in 1854-57. - I guess you might say that both the .22 "Short"  and "Long" rimfire cartridges were for use in handguns, while the .22 Long Rifle was focused for Rifle use.

                     Flobert 'BB Cap'              Short                          Long                 Long Rifle

'TWO-TWOS'

These early rimfires used BLACKPOWDER propellant and it wasn't until the 1920's that "Smokeless" powders completely replaced Blackpowder & semi-Blackpowder loadings. These names are modern usage .. they wouldn't have called the 'short' cartridge 'SHORT' until the "Long" was developed eh.

Other, larger rimfire cartridges were used back in the day - right up to 56-50 and the .56-56 Spencer blackpowder rimfire cartridge that had a big part during the American Civil War.

56-50 compared to .22 L.R.

You might say that the development of the more powerful SMOKELESS PROPELLANTS (Nitro based) ended the larger rimfire rounds - because rimfire brass needs to be thin and malleable for the firing pin to crush at the rim, and that leads to case ruptures in the bigger calibers when powerful smokeless propellents are loaded. - Centerfire cases can be as thick and strong as you need.

I just read an online story about what a bargain unsung hero the old Hi-Standard Sentinal 22 L.R. revolver can be .. link:

https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/rifles/overlooked-rimfires-gem/

Aluminum framed Sentinal revolvers are decent quality and perform fine with the low recoil rimfire cartridges.

Earlier I have watched "James Teeth Reeves" of TFB TV flashing on/off while advertising S&W Revolvers - including their marvellous SCANDIUM FRAMED hi-tech airweight models.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNFuaBm-s2w

NOW .. It would be rude of me - not to mention remiss - NOT to point-out that so called ultra-lightweight SCANDIUM is a very high priced metal alloy of ALUMINUM mixed with as little as 0.1 % scandium metal.

A PIG OF A THING To Shoot .. But it IS light to Carry:

However - that small percentage of scandium alloyed into aluminum does greatly increase the tensile strength of that alloy, so that when used in a revolver frame with proper design, the lightweight revolver can withstand recoil forces from firing 357 Magnum cartridges. - BUT the same may not be claimed for the shooter, whose hands will be painfully stung and whose Intrinsic and Extrinsic CARPAL LIGAMENTS may well suffer permanent injury. 

Gawd help anyone suffering from arthritis ..

I ought point-out that other modern aluminum alloys are also well suited for use in firearm actions when properly tested and designed .. but my preferred choice would be full weight stainless steel alloys due to their resistance to corrosion coupled with the capability of scratches and dings to be removed with careful 'sanding'. - A fine example here might be the stainless Ruger Old Army 44 Percussion revolver that uses it's mass to gently handle the heavier charges ..

Here's One I Polished Earlier .. My Favorite Ruger Old Army:

I love this big gun despite it having been scratched, dinged and corroded, and with a bent cylinder Pin when sold to me over the phone "as unfired, new condition" by Auckland branch Gun City.

I've owned three ROA's .. but, are these properly classed as .44's or .45's ?? - Either way they are lovely to shoot loaded with 35 grains of black powder.

Are You Fit and Proper? 

Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY The Firearms Register has "retired" - so should we now expect things to improve?

 Immaginative President of NZ Police Association - Detective Inspector CAHILL has "stood down"  AND RETIRED FROM THE SERVICE ..  

- NOW Police Commissioner CHAMBERS is the EIGHTH Senior Police Administrator subject to investigation. 

- In the interest of Public Safety -

FIREARMS LICENCES FOR NZ POLICE.

Marty K.

Toxic Ferals, Prickers, & Holes ..

I see the TASMANIA Govt. is complaining that feral deer are causing 53 Million Dollars of annual damage in that State and they forcast 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS costs over the next 30 years in trying to control them ..

It will be similar here in New Zealand with Captain Cooker Pigs, Possum, Deer, Wallaby, Feral cats etc - now that they have made it an expensive problem to legally own a firearm.

Put the "Defence Forces" onto it and just charge-up these costs to the Anti-Gunners .. No, don't bother 'cos they won't be able to hit anything, and will be falling out all over the bush from their five new 2 BILLION DOLLAR MH-60R choppers.

I opine that NZ will have to revert to the old lifetime Gun Licences eventually and offer a bounty for ears again. I also suggest that BLACKPOWDER guns of all kinds should be completely OFF-LICENCE and free of restrictions ..

___________

I cut, bent to shape, and sharpened a piece of springy piano-wire to use as a 'POKY THING' - a pricker to recall the right terminology, to try the nipples on my English made antique pepperpot pistol.

It worked fine on five of the six chambers, but one of the nipples is peened-over and my pricker won't enter .. Naturally - this is the one flash path that I can't blow through like a crazed trumpet player.

 

I got out the endoscope-smartphone to have a look down the .34" caliber bores, and have been reminded that I am still dithering about if/when to chelate these bores with my Oil of Wintergreen. - I would really like to get a soft scouring device down to the bottom (if I had something).

I will superglue some nylon Pot-Scourer to a length of small pine dowel and give it a go ..

Then the Wintergreen Oil followed by BOILING WATER. - Then work on that blocked nipple ..

______________________

Many old percussion pistols look to have been handed down to a 'boy child' as capguns to play with - naturally these old pieces become hugely battered and damaged before being left to rust-away into relic condition.

Not so this pair ..

Freshly Acquired PAIR of Percussion Pistols by BLISSETT of LONDON

Mid 19th Century Uncleaned

Annoyingly, I didn't take a pic before poking at it with a wooden toothpick - but the fine checkering on this pair looked to be crushed flat in a 10mm area on the top pistol .. but this proved to be a splodge of grunge that came off, and joined the other dirt in my carpet when scraped & puffed at.

DIRT IS NOT PATINA: You don't have to be grubby as you get older.

This pair of pieces have 45mm (21/4 inch) turn-off, breech-loading barrels with smooth bores in shiny condition, good threads. Fine 'Dolphin Hammers' and working 'half-cock safeties'. - No bad corrosion.

- Most of the antique pistols I find to buy here are generally lower quality pieces in poor condition and in need of repair-restoration but this pair above seem to be nice quality, - grubby but not too bad. One of them, the action is at fault and waiting for some attention .. a mainspring issue?

Antique Antics: Cleaning-up, to Show Clear Proof Marks

Life is Good

Are You Fit and Proper? Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY The Firearms Register has "retired" - so should we now expect things to improve?

 Immaginative President of NZ Police Association - CAHILL has "stood down" on long service leave .. 

- NOW Police Commissioner CHAMBERS is the EIGHTH Senior Administrator to be subject to investigation.

In the interest of Public Safety

FIREARMS LICENCES FOR NZ POLICE.

Marty K.

A Strangely Long Percussion Pistol .. and

Well YIPPEE .. Elon Musk has made-it as a Trillionaire - his next step is to be anointed as a GOD eh, - possibly a great step for mankind.

Oddly, I just discovered that I am to be labelled as one of THE SILENT GENERATION. - I like girls and all kinds of butch "man" stuff. - Am I queer or something?

It may have been my lucky day - as I'd just got (redeemed) $60 from my Mobil SMILE card at the petrol pumps, - plus an extra $15 Voucher redeemed at the Supermarket checkout on 'Gold Card Old Fart's Discount Day' .. Whatever's Next?

- A fast, overnight, delivery from NZ Post Courier. - It's MINE, my precious .. Well it looked - so interesting .. I just had to buy it - and I think that I got lucky again ..

Is this a 'BOOT PISTOL' or perhaps a cut-down "Cane Gun" ? There was something called a 'pocket rifle'..

Naturally there can be benefits gained from using such a long barreled pistol - a longer sight radius (if it had any) for improved accuracy, increased mass for reduced recoil, and, dependent on load, increased velocity from a more complete powder burn, for harder hitting on target, - and possibly a quieter shot from reduced gas pressure at the muzzle. - Short barrels can be very loud.

Little & Large - not a Pocket Pistol ..

 This strangely long barrel, big bore box lock Percussion Pistol has the cryptically gouged "R A J-226"  markings on it's rough barrel .. while the right side of this 'rustic' barrel carries five facets - inexplicable draw-filed flats - this thing has a history ..

'R A J - 226' Obviously stands for Romeo & Juliet .. or Remington Armory J-226 ?

Look - enough already, but this big-bore box lock pistol made me grin SO widely when I saw it, - I just had to buy it. - Smiling Makes You Happy - Does that work for you too - your facial nerves pulling your lovely face muscles? 

- A twelve inch hand-filed barrel - the bore measures around .517 inch.

Half Inch Bore - Not a Pocket pistol.

- Is it 32 Gauge? - Either way, I'd assure you that there are some UGLY sights to see when you use an endoscope camera around the place at home .. but at least this barrel wasn't loaded.

Getting to the BOTTOM in this 12 inch (305mm) Barrel.

How would any of us look after around 175 years?

There's a heads-up for folk dreaming about test-firing one of these worn antiques .. Don't.

I might call this antique "A GAMEKEEPER GUN" - or a poacher's gun designed for poking behind a sleeping pheasants ear. - Or a cut-down "Buggy Rifle"?? Dunno, but it's mine now.

Many users of defensive ballistic machines like to benefit from concealed carry CCW, in a pocket, holster or waistband - while an alternative, historic choice back in the day - was open carry - perhaps of a walking cane that might serve double duty as needed ..

Do you have a clue there Sherlock?

Link to another one .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBxRjuju-Xs

Now my point is - This old thing is reduced at the muzzle to fit something .. ..

Fascinating stuff,

Here's a tale that's full of it - but it may help pass the time .. 

https://usa.kenhnhadep.com/phamdathtv/the-cane-gun-the-walking-stick-that-fired-bullets/?fbclid=IwY2xjawP8kEpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFibHdnVGFsM3Q5UFJxak1Gc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnyZZE8f6CQxwmps3mhGEPF4E6VswLU-pmzL8xsRJD-Kr8rRY9u5HV8f1vRo_aem_RQ-6w8bpkXN8PxdETuLlHQ

Life is good,

Are You Fit and Proper? Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY the firearms register has "retired" - so should we expect things to improve?

In the interest of Public Safety

FIREARMS LICENCES FOR NZ POLICE.

Marty K.