40 years ago today we lost Elmer Keith

[PA4476]

I am a big fan of Mr Keith as was my dad. Several years ago I bought one of the S&W commemorative 44 mags.

And then bought another one of the 44 revolvers, a bunch of pictures, letters, a knife, another copy of the book (Hell, I was There) , the last license plate off his Ford Bronco, some of his 44 mag reloads and a couple 500 Nitro Express rounds from his grandson Gregor Keith in Idaho. All pictured below.
Also a sign copy of Safari by Elmer Keith.

 

[alexs2006]

What a legend!

True story: When I was first starting to reload my mentor teaching me was a huge 44mag/44spl fan. One of the first things he taught me was about Elmer Keith. When he first started teaching me there were 2 books, he made me read before we ever started at the bench, Ken waters "Pet Loads" and Elmer Keiths "Hell I was there". The old man as I call him is nearly 90 years old now and we still load together sometimes, he's not there much physically (He can't move like he used to, 30 years as a machinist at Lockheed will do that to ya) but man is his mind still sharp as a tack. Probably one of the smartest men I've ever met in my life. Probably the closest person I've ever seen with a photographic memory of numbers.

 

[MuleShoe]

A small man who left a big footprint and awesome legacy! I have several of his books and enjoyed reading about his life!

 

[fattboyzz]

 

[patches]

I am a big fan of Mr Keith as was my dad. Several years ago I bought one of the S&W commemorative 44 mags.

And then bought another one of the 44 revolvers, a bunch of pictures, letters, a knife, another copy of the book (Hell, I was There) , the last license plate off his Ford Bronco, some of his 44 mag reloads and a couple 500 Nitro Express rounds from his grandson Gregor Keith in Idaho. All pictured below.
Also a sign copy of Safari by Elmer Keith.View attachment 6878858View attachment 6878872View attachment 6878873View attachment 6878874View attachment 6878875View attachment 6878876View attachment 6878877View attachment 6878890View attachment 6878891View attachment 6878894View attachment 6878895View attachment 6878896

Magnificent collection, sir. Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[basstracker89]

Nice collection

 

[TrueGrit]

When I was young and dumb I'd skip over his articles.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Now that's cool stuff.

 

[atljetmech]

He knew early on the massive potential of the most universal cartridge ever devised!

 

[basstracker89]

The 44mag does have a lot going for it. Velocity for hydrostatic shock. Mass for penetration. Diameter for maximum wound cavity. What's not to like. I suppose some could argue recoil.
I bet ole Elmer would love what they've come out with since then. The 454, 460 and 500 mags. Not to mention the Linebaugh line of cartridges