My new Journal was in my mailbox this morning.  I’ve been reading our publication since it was called the ASSRA News, and have watched it grow and develop, even contributing a few articles over the years.  I have to say that this issue reaches a new plateau of quality. The scope and quality of the articles, the pictures, in fact everything about it were first rate.   
The range of topics from biographies and obituaries to histories and technical articles, it was all outstanding.  I especially enjoyed the article on Illinois shooting societies coauthored by my old friend Rudi Prusok and got a lot of good info from the reprinted article by HA Donaldson on the origin of the 25-20 SS.
I’ve observed in the past that for many of our members the Journal is their main contact with the association and those folks are surely getting their money’s worth with Journal issues like this!
Charlie Shaeff

A question about the cover.  Has anyone tried to identify the types of rifles in the photo?  I thought I could see enough of 7 of them to have a go at identifying them, 3 Ballards and the rest with Martini actions.

Re: The Tompkins.  A friend of my father's, the guy who introduced me to smallbore shooting (and other forms of shooting best left unmentioned) had a Tompkins.  When I was 18 & 19, I shot it several times on a 50-foot indoor range.  It was the first handgun I ever shot, so I couldn't compare it to anything else.

Wished the shooters had names.

"I wonder….did anyone smile back then?"

I don't think so, especially not for the camera.
That's the same scowl and the only face I remember on my great- grandfather... he didn't tolerate my brother and I - we were constantly warned to keep our distance from him... 
My grandfather always said that someone pi$$ed in his oats, I wanted that title literally and at 6 years old, I'd have done it. 
GT

A shootin match was serious business back in them days.