marlinguy wrote on Jul 28^th, 2020 at 6:08pm:


So okay I’m a neophyte on this forum but I’m no idiot either and your comments pretty much bracket the discussion. A man of uncommon skills and a proven historical record in competition that has slipped the documentation that today’s writers or pundits rely and depend on. A situation of this type begs speculation and conjecture. Those with an axe to grind find fertile ground and those with a reputation to support find shifting sands. Hm

Rick

I've always thought the Harry M Pope story would make a great movie. 

It has all the elements Hollywood requires. 

burntwater wrote on Jul 28^th, 2020 at 6:55pm:


I doubt anyone today has an ax to grind towards HM Pope. And I'm sure that the fact so much of his life is conjecture or speculation today is due to someone destroying any written evidence back after his death. Leaving holes in his documentation leads to questions, and speculation.
There are those who debate whether Pope was the #1 or best barrel maker of his time, but I don't think anyone with knowledge of his barrel work would ever dispute he made some of the greatest barrels. Does that elevate him to being one of the greatest gunsmiths of his time? My opinion is it doesn't. Since Harry was such a specialist for most of his career, I'd say there are numerous gunsmiths who did great barrels, but also much more than barrels; that should be regarded higher than Pope as all around great gunsmiths. And I personally think George C Schoyen is his equal at least, and maybe better as a barrel maker. And he's way ahead as an all around gunsmith.
The thing that gives Pope an edge today is he was born later than many of his counterparts, and he lived well into the 20th century, which made him relevant to many people still around today whose fathers or family owned his barrels. When his counterparts were decades passed, Pope was writing and keeping his name alive.
Pope was highly educated, not just at MIT, but from his days working for his uncle. And he was a genius in his early gun related inventions. His molds were well made, and his patented barrel takedown system was a genius design. His scope rings were superb, and extremely well designed and made. There are many more inventions and tools he came up with during his younger years when he seemed driven to constantly develop new gun related tools and accessories. Had he not decided at some point to concentrate solely on fine barrels, there's no telling what else he may have come up with.

So Marlinguy I’m not sure why you tagged my earlier comment as a segue to your commentary.  Was there a point that I’m missing here ? In general I would have to subscribe to your opinions on Pope almost entirely.  My point was only to illuminate the fact that,  as this thread so obviously displays, Mr. Pope’s history is illusive, incomplete,  and therefore leaves enough gaps for some speculation. And especially, there are strong feelings on this subject by any number of the members. 

Regards
Rick

Seldom, even here, do I run across new Pope facts and rumors.  But I'll freely admit that the "air pistol he rifled working at the Hardware store" is not just new but very intriguing.  Can anyone flesh that out?

Bill Lawrence

Thank you Dellet for taking the time to post the facts about the rifled air pistol and Pope's first rifling attempt. The outcome must have a had a tremendous impact to why and what he chose to do with his life after that.

JLouis wrote on Jul 29^th, 2020 at 3:34pm:


Have you ever seen the Pope Company articles of incorporation? I Think Harry was working there at this time.

Quote:
 

This was the reason for the time at MIT. It would be interesting to know how many company patents that were his designs.

JLouis wrote on Jul 29^th, 2020 at 4:20pm:




Just for the trivia department, Hiram P. Maxim later worked for the Pope company and designed mufflers for cars and some of the first silencers for firearms. 
His father Hiram S Maxim credited with the first portable machine gun.

Hiram jr went to work for Pope Automobile in the mid 1890s, when Albert (colonel) Pope owned the business.

I think Harry was long gone by then, but can't imagine there was not a conversation or two shared