QUESTIONS FOR COLLECTORS

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Apparently Charles Askins, Sr. was promoted to Major circa 1933. He is called Captain Charles Askins, Gun Editor of Outdoor Life into the 1933 Ithaca Gun Co. catalog. By the 1934 Ithaca Gun Co. catalog he is called Major Charles Askins, Gun Editor of Outdoor Life. He is called Major Askins in Elmer Keith's 1950 shotgun book as he is listed in the header of this column.

Dave,

Aren't there two gun "experts" named Askins -- father and son? This article was by the son, yes?

[mobirdhunter]

OK, now I think this was the father...

I found this in a post regarding influential gun writers (for what that's worth).

"There were actually two gunwriters by the name of Charles Askins, one being Askins Sr. and the other Askins Jr. The elder was one of the foremost authorities on shotguns and wingshooting, as well as a Major in the US Army and eventually the shooting editor of "Outdoor Life." The younger Askins...had a much more colorful career. Charles Askins, Jr. started his career with a 10-year stint in the US Border Patrol, stationed on the US-Mexico border, at the same time as Bill Jordan. The border in the 1930s was a lively place, and he had some lively times; agents were involved in a gunfight every ten days on average. Askins Jr. was also quite the competitive shooter, winning a national championship and later being the chief instructor for the USBP in pistol shooting. He also went on to have a long career in the US Army, seeing action in World War II, the Korean war and also as a military advisor in the early days of the Vietnam conflict. He was also an avid hunter, having hunted on nearly every continent...though he insisted to the end of his days that his favorite quarry was bobwhite quail. Like Jordan, his experience and skill with a handgun in a combat setting were second to none, though he preferred something akin to Cooper's front sight press rather than point shooting. His articles in various magazines, including "American Rifleman" and others, were full of folksy wisdom, bits of Tejano slang and more than a little good advice on matters of concealed carry for citizens and officers alike, as well as on shooting and fighting guns. Askins is a controversial figure, and his autobiography "Unrepentant Sinner" reveals deeds that would almost certainly lead to a prison sentence today. He was, however, a man of a different time and like him or not, the man knew how to keep alive in a firefight.. Continue reading at: http://gunbelts.com/blog/9-gunwriters-you-should-be-aware-of/"