That's a nice, manly pin-up, John, and I think his quietly pleased expression as Rowland views his newly-made record group was a perfect interpretation by our group's renowned artist.  But, still, I'd personally rather have a poster version of the Ray Day photo.

Bill Lawrence

Marlin guy. That quote is correct. I believe it is in the 1971 Silver Aniversary 
Gun Digest I have posted here. But the Rowland famous group was shot with a Pope rifle. FITZ OLD TUCK.

OLD TUCK wrote on Nov 24^th, 2021 at 3:42pm:


I got a copy of the 1971 Silver Anniversary Gun Digest many decades ago, and sure it's here somewhere. I bought it back then just because John's story about Schoyen was in it. Have to go dig it out again, and refresh my memory.
I didn't see anyone disputing the fact Rowland shot his record with a Pope barrel? Not sure what that comment is about?

Mr Tip Up,

it gets worse.  Farrah Fawcett died several years ago.  Try the AT&T Lily for inspiration...

Val that was from me. the issue was Rowland found fault with some Pope rifles he recieved and had to send them back for rework. And he did that publicly. Pope did take issue with that. But did not respond. May have been that Pope had built the rifle or Barrel to his speck and tested it to his speck and it passed for group size
at 200 Yds. Rowland was looking for the most minimal group he could get. But the end result was that the famous record group was shot with a Pope Barrel. I do not remember a specific statement by Rowland publicly announcing that issue. Pope being somewhat a "grumpy old man" just never responded to Rowland it is said.
If there were letters and un opend letters from Rowland to Pope, it has been said that when Pope passed his Sons showed up and collected all the records at Jersey City and took them home to Florida and had a Bonfire in the driveway. Now I have only seen this comment once and have no proof of  correctness.
If anyone reading this knows any aditional information I would be glad to hear of it. HTH FITZ OLD TUCK

I think the spat or hard feelings between Pope and Rowland are probably something many of us who love single shots and their history are aware of. It's certainly been published in several places over the years, and well documented as to what caused it. Sure can't blame Pope for having his feelings hurt when he read it!
I heard the same story about the bonfire in the driveway in Florida. I also heard Kelver was there trying to get whatever he could to save from the fire? 
I always wondered how much of Pope's letters Kelver had besides what went into "Respectfully Yours H.M. Pope"? Never heard if everything he got ahold of went in, or if he hand picked what he felt was relevant to that book only?
Seems to me that Pope being a bit of a stickler for keeping correspondence there would have been letters from customers, and other friends beyond what's in the book?

Tom_Trevor assra life no.71 wrote on Nov 27^th, 2021 at 5:39pm:


Thanks for that confirmation. Maybe we can put the "bonfire" myth to rest now.

Fitz,
The record group shot May 16, 1901 of .722" is well documented as being shot with a Pope barreled Ballard in .32-40. CW Rowland wrote that info on his target, which has been pictured in several different treatise on Pope, or Rowland, etc. So I don't think anyone will debate that fact.


I also have several Schoyen Ballard rifles in.38-55, and two in .32-40 caliber.  If I do my part they all shoot excellent groups. My .38-55 being the best of the three with a group of 5/8" at 100 yds. off a bench rest using the old Hudson bullet Ideal mold.