I recently acquired an issue of the Thrilling Western pulp magazine from January 1937. I bought it because it featured an article by Col. John J. Boniface (1874-1943), of the US Cavalry, on “How to Be A Good Pistol Shot”. That article was part of a series he wrote called “Straight Shooting”.

In the 1930’s, radio, movies, and pulp magazines were the dominant entertainment media, and Westerns were very popular. From the 1930’s to the 1960’s, gun ownership was common and normal, so it made perfect sense for a magazine full of cowboy stories full of shootouts and gunfights to include non-fiction articles about firearms. Western Story magazine’s “Guns and Gunners” column, mostly written by Charles Edward Chapel and Philip Sharpe, was in every weekly issue from 1931-1949.

To transpose this to the modern era, it would be like a major network putting a youTube video about new guns, shooting skills or other real world gun topic as an insert in a TV action show like S.W.A.T., Navy SEALS, or any other program that included shootouts in every episode.

January 1937 1st Installment

The advice provided in the 1st installment of the series is as valid today as it was then, except for the guidance to squeeze all the fingers of the hand while working the trigger, which is now considered a problem to be corrected, not a habit to be cultivated.

After I purchased the Jan 1937 edition, I began searching for the other issues. I found a scan of the Feb 1937 issue, but as of yet have not found a print copy or a scanned issue. According to comments made in the third installment, part 2 was mostly rifle and shotgun advice.

March 1937 3rd installment

I found print copies of the March and April 1937 issues, and those installments of the article series are shared below.

Note the advice to always carry on an empty chamber. This was and still is conventional wisdom for single action revolvers, where carrying with the hammer down on an empty is the correct approach.

If you look at old pictures of actual cowboys, or read articles by historians, you’ll find that the low slung gun belt and holster common to movie cowboys (and discussed in this article), were not as common as simpler designs worn on the belt holding up the cowboy’s pants.

Fast-Draw Holsters Are Mostly a Lie — Here’s How Real Gunslingers Packed Their Pieces

The idea of not standing square to a potential threat, to minimize potential target area, has been around for a long time, but mostly disappeared from modern handgun training in the 1980’s and 1990’s as more police began wearing body armor and technique changed to favor both arms fully extended.

The technique of resting the gun on the left forearm was a baby step in evolution of technique.

As the writers of the early 20th century liked to explain, the revolver was a “HAND gun”, not a “HANDS gun”, and should be gripped and fired using only one hand. Typically gripping the gun with two hands was something women, children and the disabled might do, but adult men were expected to shoot one handed. Resting the gun on the forearm eventually led to the 1950’s “cup and saucer” technique, which finally led to Jack Weaver gripping the gun with both hands to win Leatherslap matches in the early 1960’s.

The classic 6″ bullseye (now commonly known as the B-8) was the target of choice in the 1930’s as well, with a larger 10″ bullseye target used for shots past 25 yards. Boniface encourages users of the semi-auto (1911 .45 ACP pistol) to carry it loaded, cocked and locked, and to learn to shoot with target focus, using both eyes.

April 1937 4th Installment

The final article in the series was published April 1937.

The most interesting part of this article is his advice about shooting from horseback – a skill that he was considered a expert in. His advice to “always aim low” because “ricochets count” may have been conventional wisdom of that era, but isn’t taught as a general rule today.

Other Writing

Boniface wrote the classic text “The Cavalry Horse and His Pack”, which embraces the practical details of cavalry service, back in 1903. That book is available in PDF format from archive.org.

https://archive.org/details/cu31924030758688

Boniface was also a prolific pulp Western author under the pen name “Wilton West”. His pulp bibliography can be found here

http://www.philsp.com/homeville/fmi/n01/n01024.htm

http://www.philsp.com/homeville/fmi/n01/n01025.htm

Here’s a scanned issue of Thrilling Western (Jan 1936) that includes one of his novelettes. This site has a large archive of scans of classic pulp magazines for free download.

The Boniface family has a long tradition of military service spanning many generations, as noted in his son’s obituary.

As the saying goes, if you want to learn something new, read an old book.

Another find from my historical handgun research team: a collection of newspaper articles from the newspaper “The Grizzly”, published in the Big Bear Lake area. The articles are text-only, scraped from Newspapers.com archives. They provide useful information about the early days of the Leather Slap matches, which eventually led to the development of the Modern Technique and the associated dramatic changes in every aspect of handgun shooting, training and competition that occurred 1960-2000.

KR notes: back in the 1950’s “gun ownership was normal and normal people owned guns”, to paraphrase David Yamane, and it was not controversial for a newspaper to promote or write about a competition or exhibition shooting event. Note that the 1956 event drew 500 spectators.

KR notes: There are grammar and punctuation errors in the text of the scanned OCR’ed articles. I have corrected the most noticeable but not all of them.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 12 Jul 1956, Thu  •  Page 1

QUICK DRAW SHOOT EVENT OF INTEREST

Great interest has been shown concerning the leather slapping contest to be held as a special feature of Old Miners Days at Snow Summit on Saturday Aug 4 beginning at 4 pm.

A long distance telephone call was received at the Grizzly office Saturday from Dee Woolen of Knotts Berry Farm who wanted more information concerning the event. Mr Woolen said that he and five friends from Knotts plan to attend and would bring with them a special timing device constructed especially for such contests.

In addition to Red West, Hollywood stuntman several other stuntmen of movieland are expected to attend and interest has been shown in the event by FBI and law enforcement officers.

The contest is being arranged by Jeff Cooper retired Marine lieutenant colonel who was in charge of Marine recreation where leather slapping was a particularly popular sport. Two full colonels, friends of Cooper from the Marine base at Quantico made a special trip to Big Bear Lake Sunday to learn more of the contest and will have a few extra days before leaving for an Okinawa assignment to take part in the leather slapping.

KR notes: the device Woolen will bring is one of the earliest electronic shooting timers.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 02 Aug 1956, Thu  •  Page 17

“Top Gun” To Be Decided By Leather Slappers

The unique Leather Slapping Contest to be held Saturday Aug 4, 4 pm at Snow Summit one mile east of the Post Office as a feature of Big Bear Lakes Old Miners Days celebration is the result of a vast amount of argument among shooters concerning the practical use of the pistol. The technique to be used is that developed in the old West from about 1875 onwards with shooters paired and on a whistle signal each attempting to draw first and hit his target.

Dee Woolen from Knott’s Berry Farm will be one of the contestants and will bring with him a special timing device constructed for just such contests. In addition to Mr. Woolen and five of his friends from the Farm, great interest has been shown in the event by Hollywood stuntmen, city, local county, and federal law enforcement officers.

The contest is being arranged by Jeff Cooper Marine Lt Col Reserve who was in charge of Marine recreation where leather slapping was a particularly popular sport. The first shooter to win three exchanges wins his bout and graduates to the next round. Finals will be held between the two top guns. The range is seven yards a figure decided upon by the FBI as including the overwhelming majority of actual gunfights.

Mr. Cooper requested this week that special emphasis be placed on the fact that any person handy with a gun would stand an equal chance to win top honors and the 100 silver dollar prize since pistol training does not usually involve training for quick drawing which will be essential in the Saturday contest citing as an example two local Big Bear eighteen year olds who have been practicing at the Summit and doing very well.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 09 Aug 1956, Thu  •  Page 4

Don Nowka Top Gun in Contest

Don Nowka of Los Angeles exhibition shot for the Los Angeles Police Department who has done competitive shooting for 10 1/2 years was declared Top Gun Saturday afternoon at the first annual Leather Slapping Contest at Snow Summit. Competition in the 10 events was entered by 20 men who used weapons ranging from Army Single Action, 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum cap and ball muzzle loaders, Peacemakers, 38 specials and 45 automatics.

Entered in the Dudes were Walt Stark, chief Los Angeles Police Academy, vs. Maurice Hively of La Crescenta; Dave Wilson of Pasadena, 19-year-old fellow who shot himself and was hospitalized at Santa Anita Hospital at Lake Arrowhead vs Isreal B Cullinan of Montrose; Hugh Carpenter and Jeff Cooper of Bear Valley; A. M. Barr of Los Angeles vs Jim Vaughn of Big Bear; Dee Woolem of Knotts Berry Farm vs William Glaze of Hawthorne; Bob Smith of Los Angeles vs Lynn Makeling of Los Angeles; Jerry Hurst of Los Angeles vs Berty Senseman of Lancaster; Don Nowka of Los Angeles vs Olin Grunby Jr of Los Angeles; Robert C. Holmes and Michael Hipple of Los Angeles and William Wingrove of Los Angeles vs William M Obar of San Bernardino. Hipple was a 16-year-old youth, who using a borrowed gun and rig, worked his way to the semi-finals when he met and was defeated by Nowka.

The second bout for Gun Fighters was between Stark and Cullinan, Cooper and Vaughn, Woolen and Wakeling, Senseman and Nowka, and Hipple and Obar. The third bout for Deputy was between Stark and Cooper, Wakeling and Cooper, Nowka and Hipple. Finalists were Nowka and Wakeling, and Cooper and Nowka, with Nowka winning as Top Gun.

The contest, which was attended by approximately 500 spectators, was held on a hill back of the Ski Haus under the direction of Jeff Cooper, In charge of recreational activities at the Summit. Mr. Cooper stated that the type of equipment used was not important since western rigs clam-shell holsters and spring shoulder holsters with automatic pistol were used. Accuracy as well as speed was stressed with points counted only on shots placed in the vital zones of the target midsection and head. 

KR notes: one competitor shot himself, probably in the leg, doing cowboy fast draw with live ammo. The frequency with which that occurred as fast draw became more popular in the late 50’s eventually led to the conversion of the sport to wax bullets fired using primers only, and the development of special holsters with steel bullet deflectors built in.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, 4-11-57  Page 1

Marine Band to Play for OM Parade

The Leather Slapping contest, which was so successfully introduced into Old Miners Days celebration last year, will be repeated this year with improvements. Balloons will be used as targets to facilitate scoring and there will be a junior classification open to shooters of .22 caliber handguns.

Directors of the association have agreed to incorporate the insurance coverage necessary for this event into the over-all program and to cover the cost of prize money. Trophies will be awarded this year as well as the “poke” of silver which was last year’s prize.

This unique pistol match which is the only type to place pistol shooting on a practical basis attracted much attention among shooters all over the country.

Dessert Dispatch, Barstow, CA  April 18, 1957  Page 18

Old Miners Days Builds Fast Program

As of last year [sic] there will be a “Leather Slapping” contest, (fast shooting to you) but the difference this year will be that balloons will be used as targets to assist accurate scoring. Junior will be given a classification of 22 calibre handguns. [sic]

Directors of the Association will incorporate an [sic] insurance coverage necessary for this event into the overall program, and to cover the cost of the prize money. Trophies will be awarded this year as well as the annual “poke” of silver. The “Leather Slappin” pistol match, which is the only type that places pistol shooting on a practical basis, drew such favorable comment as well as widespread attention among marksmen last year will be one of the attractions of the Old Miners Days of 1857.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake,  April 18, 1957  Page 12

Old Miners Events Shape Up For Days

The Sportsmen’s Club has taken over management and sponsorship of the Leather Slapping Contest which will be held in front of the Lodge at Snow Summit.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, May 2, 1957  Page3

OM Continues Program Plans   by Jeff Cooper

…The rule changes for the Leather Slapping Contest are not yet complete, but in general they will provide separate classes for junior shooters using .22 caliber arms and may include a separate ladder for users of single-action Frontier pistols. This would insure that the best man with a modern gun would meet the best single action man in the finals. …

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 23 May 1957, Thu  •  Page 38 and 1 August 1957, page 19

[the article was repeated as Leather Slapping for Those Fast on the Draw in the August edition]

Leather Slapping Contest   By Jeff Cooper

While practical pistol shooting is enjoyed by a great many hand-gunners, until last year there has been no public competition in which this sort of skill could be demonstrated.

However in 1956 the management of Snow Summit one of California’s leading mountain resorts inaugurated its first annual Leather Slapping Contest as a feature of Old Miners Days, the yearly summer festival at Big Bear Lake. The idea of the contest was to let all pistoleros who claim they can use a sidearm in a serious manner meet in man-against-man competition rather than in the usual paper punching contest which calls for the employment of a pistol as a sort of third-class rifle.

To achieve this end the rules were drawn up to require both a fast draw and the ability to hit a target. Speed without accuracy is useless but accuracy is no good to a dead man. If two gunmen start together with their weapons safe in holsters as they are normally carried, the first man to get his gun into action and hit a target representing the vital zone of his opponent has obviously won. In order to rule out flukes three such wins are necessary to win a bout.

Contestants are paired as in a tennis match and work up through the preliminaries to the finals. The range is seven yards, the distance the FBI has decided to be about average for gunfights.

Last year the targets were standard police silhouettes, and individual judges were employed to call hits as they saw them. This proved somewhat unsatisfactory as individual differences in judges’ eyesight and reaction time could have a decisive effect on the outcome. This year therefore, balloons will be used inflated to about 20×24. Thus there will not only be no question about which man hits first but the results will also be instantly visible to the spectators.

Other improvements in this year’s match include relocation of the site so that spectators will be more comfortably provided for, and a special junior category for users of .22 caliber revolvers.

Sponsorship has been taken over by the Big Bear Sportsmen’s Club.

First prize in the senior contest is 100 silver dollars, as last year, with 30 dollars for second place and 10 dollars each to the losers in the semi-finals. In addition special star badges are being prepared by the trophy committee for the first four places in both junior and senior contests.

Last year’s match drew 26 entries about evenly split among law enforcement officers, show-business westerners and miscellaneous. It was won outright by Don Nowka, one of the Los Angeles Police Departments ace instructors, but second place went to a local Bear Valley resident, so there appears to be no decisive edge to the pros. The winning weapon was a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver in a “clamshell holster” and second was a .45 automatic pistol in a shoulder holster, but the single-action frontier pistols were in there too and could easily have won had the ball bounced that way.

Last year’s contest attracted nation-wide notice as a new and exciting addition to shooting sport, and this year’s match at 4 PM on Saturday the 3rd of August in front of the Snow Summit Inn should be a really impressive event and a major attraction of Old Miners Days. For further information address Leather Slapping Contest Box 27 Big Bear Lake Calif.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 01 Aug 1957, Thu  •  Page 1

TV Radio Proclaim Miners Events

Publicity for Bear Valley in connection with advertising for the Old Miners Day …

Tomorrow morning a leather slapping demonstration on Panorama Pacific Channel 2 will feature Don Nowka winner of last year’s contest and Cooper who was runner-up.  …

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 08 Aug 1957, Thu  •  Page 1

Barstow Man Fastest On Draw to Win Leather Slapping Bout

Harold F. Flannery of Barstow [Police Dept.] was awarded the title of Old Miners Days Constable by virtue of winning the leather slapping contest for men quick on the draw at the Snow Summitt Ski Haus on Saturday afternoon.

Jack Weaver of Lancaster took second place and Donald J Lindquist of San Fernando third. John Snedden of Riverside and Al Gunby of Los Angeles tied for fourth place.

Three 14 year olds finished in this order in the Junior portion of the contest: Thell Reed, Jr., Murray Peter and Robert J Bail. [Ball??]

KR notes: Thell Reed went to be one of the legendary 5 combat masters of the Southwest Combat Pistol League.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 26 Dec 1957, Thu  •  Page 10

Trick Shooter Shows Early Interest in Old Miners Contest

Interest in Old Miners Days Leather Slapping Contest was evidenced last week by Dee Woolem of Fullerton one of the country’s top trick pistol shots and now representing the Great Western Arms Company as publicity man.

For many years Woolem was connected with Knotts Berry Farm in connection with his shooting artistry, and at that time did a great deal of work for various movie companies. He contacted Jeff Cooper, who has been the founder and in charge of the leather slapping contest, and expressed the interest of his company in becoming a co-sponsor of the event which has been a part of the Old Miners Days Celebration.

He offered on behalf of his company to put up two pistols valued at $105 each as prizes in two divisions of the contest. He suggested adding a simple quick draw division to the contest which would have no bearing on accuracy in addition to the quick shooting contests now held. His idea was to offer a gun in each of these divisions.

Cooper said that Woolem entered the first Leather Slapping Contest held here, and, while extremely fast on the draw, had no accuracy to go with it, and for that reason made no headway toward recognition. Woolem said he has now developed the accompanying accuracy and is the admitted top gun of the country according to Cooper.

The Pomona Progress Bulletin, Pomona, California, 02 Apr 1958, Wed  •  Page 32

The Judge Colt Fast Draw Club of Pomona defeated the Great Western Fast Draw Club of Bellflower Sunday for the Second time in a fast draw pistol contest On the Mall at Pomona Valley Center.

…Best average times registered by the host club were: Larry Gay, .2283; Jack Duprey. .2330; and Hugh Carpenter. .2317.

… In the open contest Jack Duprey was first with an average of .3257. Liny Guy and Hugh Carpenter tied for second with .35, and in the runoff Gay won with an average of .2967. Third was Carpenter .3383.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 17 Apr 1958, Thu  •  Page 1

WEEKLY SESSIONS PUSH PLANS FOR OLD MINERS [July 31 – August 3, 1958]

Big Bear Lake office of the sheriff’s office were present following up their request that they be permitted to sponsor the leather-slapping contest.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 31 Jul 1958, Thu  •  Page 8

[Photo Caption] FASTEST DRAW will mean trophy and awards for participants in Leather Slapping Contest Saturday at Lynn Lift area.

3rd Annual Leather Slapping Contest Sat.

Introduced in 1956 by Jeff Cooper and Tommi Tyndall the Big Bear Leather Slapping Contest has become an important and unique event for lovers of firearms.

Convention pistol marksmanship is a fine sport and one very difficult to master but it has little to do with the practical use of the sidearm and it holds no interest for the spectator. On the other hand, our western tradition gives rise to a belief that speed on the draw and real combat deadliness with a handgun are lost arts which went out with the Texas Longhorn.

As a matter of fact, the combat pistol is very much alive today and today’s best gunslingers are in every way comparable and very possibly superior to the Bill Longley’s and Wes Hardin’s of the gunfighter era.

The problem of course is to devise a way to test this lethal skill in open competition without killing anyone in the process.  The Leather Slapping Contest comes very close to a solution since the shooters use combat pistols, start with them safely holstered and use a target about the size of a man’s vital zone which bursts when hit, making the result instantly apparent to contestants, judges and audience.  Shooters are paired man to man and the man who breaks his balloon before his opponent can wins his match and moves up the ladder. This way both speed and accuracy are required, and many a fancy western quick draw artist has been eliminated by an adversary who shot a little later but a little straighter.

The type of gun and holster used is not restricted since one of the reasons for the match is to determine just what sort of equipment works best. However since in both previous shoots modern double-action guns have won and auto-loading pistols have placed high, this year’s contest is divided into two classes – one for the old single-action Peacemaker-type revolvers and the other for modern guns.

The winners of each class will shoot against each other for the grand prize insuring that a Frontier-type weapon will at least be second. This coddling may gall admirers of the single-action who will loudly assure you that their weapon has never been matched for close combat but two previous contests indicate that it is necessary.  While we expect a large field of entrants this year we must necessarily play down their names and occupations.  This is because about half our shooters are members of various law enforcement agencies and are prohibited by their superiors from announcing their positions unless they win.  For an active member of a big time police force to be eliminated by a high school boy, as can easily happen, is bad publicity.  For the record it should be stated that the first year’s winner was a training officer from the LA Police Department and the second was from the Barstow Police. The highly touted show business gunmen who presume to teach movie and television heroes how it’s done seldom enter because they fear to test their self-built reputations in actual competition.  All are welcome, however, with banners or incognito.

This year the Third Annual Contest will be held- at the foot of the Lynn Chairlift just south of the Village of Big Bear Lake at 3 pm on Saturday 2 August Entry is open to all at $5, and a waiver of responsibility is necessary from the parents or guardians of minors. Prizes which started at $100 (silver dollars) last year are not yet firm, but will be greater in value than last year’s cash. They will be announced as soon as possible. Anyone interested in shooting in pistols in law enforcement or in the gunfighting legends of the Old West can scarcely afford to miss this event.  Loud talk and fancy claims can be disregarded – this is how it’s done.

The man who doesn’t think right can’t be expected to live right.

At least silence puts up a bluff that is mighty hard to call.

KR notes: and thus begins the inevitable slide toward divisions and categories for different gun types, common in every pistol sport today. When IPSC began in 1976, it returned to all guns competing equally without divisions, but soon splintered into Open and Limited, with more splits occurring to lead to 8 handgun and a pistol caliber carbine division which allows rifles to compete in pistol matches.

The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, 04 Aug 1958, Mon  •  Page 12

Miner’s Days End in a Blaze of Color

More than 60 fast draw pistol shooters competed in the leather slapping contest Saturday afternoon. First place winner in the overall and first single action class was Curt Anderson of San Bernardino using a Colt .45.  Anderson won $100 in silver and a carved holster and belt by Arvo Ojala of Hollywood.

OTHER WINNERS

Second place winner in the overall and first double action class went to Hugh Carpenter of Big Bear Lake.  He won $50 in silver and a plain belt and holster by Ojala. Other winners were: second single action, Robert Munden, Big Bear; and second, double action, George St. Clair.

The Pomona Progress Bulletin, Pomona, California, 07 Aug 1958, Thu  •  Page 17

Fast Guns To Organize Valley Club

An organizational meeting for the Pomona Valley Gun Hawks, a quick draw club, will be held In about two weeks. Organizing the club Is Joe St. Clair, of 91 H County Rd., who took second place In the Big Bear live ammunition fast draw contest last week. Also helping are Hugh Carpenter, of Big Bear, first place winner, and Jake DeVos of Pomona. St. Clair, a machine operator at H. W. loud Machine Works, has been interested in leather slapping for five years. He also helped organize and served as vice president of the Judge Colt Fast Draw Club. The Gun Hawks is open to all persons 18 years and older. Members must own a gun. Interested persons may contact St. Clair at his home.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 11 Sep 1958, Thu  •  Page 8

NEW GUNSLINGERS CLUB MEETS SUNDAY

The newly organized Bear Valley Gunslingers will hold their first event Sunday at McAlister Rifle Range on the North side of the lake just east of the Twin Bear cut-off Competition will be open to all comers. The course of fire will not be announced until the close of entries at 4 pm to encourage al those interested in pistol shooting regardless of whether they favor conventional target work quick-draw or just plinking. Entry fee will be $1. Each entry must provide his own gun holster and ammunition one box (50 rounds) will be ample.  The Gunslingers invite anyone interested in organizing or entering pistol competition to join their group.  

KR notes: the format expands to include more than the man v man, with more stages that guaranteed entrants would all get to shoot more rounds for the event.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 18 Sep 1958, Thu  •  Page 10

Gunslingers Beat Hesperia Visitors The Bear Valley Gunslingers were a bit rude to their guests the Hesperia Crusaders last Sunday at McAlister Rifle Range taking first second and fourth places in a rapid fire match prepared by C E Phillips rangemaster The only prize taken by the visitors was that awarded for low score. Jeff Cooper won the match with score of 278 x 300 while Hugh Carpenter (252) was second and Bud Camomile fourth with 222 The Gunslingers will meet again on Monday September 22 at Snow Summit at 7:30 pm. Anyone interested in any type of pistol shooting is cordially invited to attend.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 23 Oct 1958, Thu  •  Page 16

Gunslingers Try Experiment An “Offside Draw”

The Bear Valley Gunslingers held an informal match last Sunday at McAlister Rifle Range to experiment with a new course of fire. An unusual feature of the experiment was the inclusion of an offside draw (left handed for right handers and vice versa). The course requires shooting with the off hand, but not drawing with it which poses quite a challenge. Bud Reynolds officiated in order to give C E Philips rangemaster change to compete. Jeff Cooper won the match while Philips placed second. Next Sunday October 28 the San Bernardino Thumb-busters are holding a leatherslap at Arrowhead Springs and Hugh Carpenter of the Gunslingers plans to represent Big Bear. Bud Camomile, Jerry McDougal, and Bob Munden are also possible entries. The Thumb busters are afraid of auto pistols so Cooper is ruled out. The next Gunslingers event will be held on Sunday morning November 2 weather permitting. All pistol shooters are welcome.

KR notes: Bob Munden went on to become one of the most famous fast draw exhibition shooters.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 06 Nov 1958, Thu  •  Page 9

Challenging Shoot For Gunslingers At Third Annual Event

Bear Valley Gunslinger’s held their third event last Sunday at McAlister Rifle Range under the direction of C E Phillips range-master. Participants report that it was the most interesting and challenging competition so far. Phillips placed twelve standard targets along a roughly marked trail through the ironwood and scrub-oak thickets and each shooter was required to find his way spot each target hit it twice reload as necessary and complete the entire course in the shortest possible time. As some targets were in plain sight but others were partially concealed contestants had fully as much difficulty with spotting as with shooting. No shooter was able to find all twelve targets under the pressure of the stopwatch. Jeff Cooper and Bob Munden shot scores of 115 but since Cooper ran the course in 5:40 against Munden’s 7 minutes flat he took first place. Third position was taken by Bill Fitzgerald a visiting police officer from Torrance. The widely varied nature of the Gunslingers events offers anyone who enjoys any sort of pistol shooting a chance to use his gun in friendly informal competition. All valley pistol enthusiasts are invited to attend the next shoot to be held at McAllister Rifle Range at 11 am Saturday November 29.

KR notes: this stage is the precursor of Jungle Walk and similar field courses still run at Gunsite and in some 3-gun matches.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 27 Nov 1958, Thu  •  Page 17

SURPRISE EVENTS TO CHALLENGE PISTOL SHOOTERS

Surprise events will challenge big bore pistol shooters when Bear Valley Gunslingers meet on Saturday November 29 at the McAlister Rifle Range at 11 am Visitors who participate in these competitions enjoy the departure from conventional target ‘shooting and really have’ a lot of fun.

All anyone needs to take part in these events is to be on the spot with a pistol any caliber except 22’s ammunition and interest in the sport.

Thell Reed Jr. of Downey won the leather slapping contest held in Tombstone Arizona a couple of weeks ago. He is a 15 year-old expert pistol shot who competed in the open event with no age limit or handicap. Young Reed and his father, Thell Reed Sr.,are expecting to be here for the weekend shoot.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 04 Dec 1958, Thu  •  Page 2

Gunslingers Hold Field Reaction Course Competition

A field reaction course laid out in the brushy canyons just north of the regular target area was the attraction for Bear Valley Gunslingers last Saturday with C E Phillips rangemaster directing. The fourth open event by the local club at McAlister Rifle Range it attracted fourteen competitors.

Twelve targets were placed at varying distances from a trail marked by white cloth streamers and each shooter was required to find the way, spot the targets hit each one twice and cross the finish line in the shortest possible time. His numerical score was then divided by the number of minutes required to complete the course and the result was his index score for the contest.

Saturdays match was particularly challenging as the course itself was difficult to find and the targets were cleverly concealed. The streamers blended with the ironwood and scrub oak making them nearly invisible. Once off course the contestant was unlikely to find it again. Several entrants became so thoroughly lost that the match was stopped while they were rescued. Among these was young Thell Reed Jr of Downey who has become a celebrity in gunning circles during the past two years. Since it was an informal competition the consensus of shooters favored permitting the lost sheep to run the course again a decision which caused some regret as Reed won decisively on his second try. Jeff Cooper of Bear Valley placed second, Ray Chapman Norwalk was third and Norm Pardee of Bear Valley came in fourth.  Bob Munden another local shooter made the course in very good time but could not overcome the handicap of using an unfamiliar gun.

All visiting pistoleros were impressed with the interesting contest and are looking forward to future Gunslinger events. Policy of the club is to make each event entirely different to stimulate interest and challenge marksmen.

Next match is scheduled for December 21 at 11 am when the feature will be a Military Advancer Combat Course. This course requires 50 rounds and is confined to big bore pistols Open to all entry fees of $1 will be split by the winners.

Most of last week’s shooters came from the Los Angeles area. On this evidence the Gunslingers repeat previous invitations to all residents of the valley to come out and participate in these events.

KR notes: Ray Chapman, future Combat Master, moves up in the overall scores at this match.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 25 Dec 1958, Thu  •  Page 3

Mexican Defense Course Used At Gunslingers Shoot

The Mexican Defense Course the official training course of the Mexican armed forces and several other Latin countries was used for the first time in the United States when the Bear Valley Gunslingers held their last match of the year on Sunday

The event was held at McAlister Rifle Range with C E Phillips rangemaster preparing the contest and C F Bud Reynolds directing The course undertaken featured quick-draw pivoting and shooting ‘at several targets while walking and proved both novel and challenging to the contestants none of whom had shot it before.

Shooters came from such diverse points as Norwalk and Lancaster to participate and a contingent of five sheriff’s deputies from Riverside county appeared as a team. Jeff Cooper and Hugh Carpenter from the local club took first and second places respectively with Captain Ben Clark from Riverside taking third place.

The Gunslingers do not plan any further matches for the winter but will resume monthly meets of diversified pistol competition in May.

KR notes: more about the Mexican Defense Course in this blog article.

The Mexican and Yaqui Defense Courses (1964)

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 12 Feb 1959, Thu  •  Page 2

Coopers Article In Magazine Puts Provocative Point   [no byline]

Local handgun enthusiast Jeff Cooper presents an original and provocative article in the April issue of Guns and Ammo on the subject of making hunting legal with a big bore pistol or revolver.

Illustrated with the authors own photographs showing the impact on a gallon can of water when struck with a heavy hunting 357 Magnum, the article supports the suggestion with facts. Comparisons with archery hunting result in substantiating evidence, according to Coopers article, to advance the proposal of such a measure beyond the theoretical to the practical application which is a basic requirement for such an innovation.

An expert handgunner himself, Cooper’s article should prove of interest to local sportsmen for its well documented exposition of handgun hunting of big game, a relatively new concept in the sports field. Cooper has scored regularly in recent matches sponsored’ by the local Gunslingers Club with numerous firsts and many placings. He is assisting with preliminary studies to make the use of handguns an international competition. One of his favorite conversational topics is the “misuse of the fast draw as such without the gun handler having to prove his ability to hit something after the draw.”

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 05 Mar 1959, Thu  •  Page 7

The Bear Valley Gunslingers sent three members to the Western States Top Gun contest held last Sunday at the Juniper Tree range in Soledad Canyon. Jeff Cooper, Hugh Carpenter and Jim Sullivan were potential winners of the brand new Colt Peacemaker donated by the factory plus trophies and 20 of the gross.

Cooper and Sullivan fell by the wayside during eliminations but Carpenter shooting brilliantly knocked off every competitor up to the final bout which he lost in a split decision on one shot. He was using a Colt 45 Commander auto pistol with Cooper speed modifications. His holster was of his own manufacture.

Many contestants were familiar faces to the local men from past father slapping contests in Bear Valley including last year’s winner Curt Anderson. All senior competitors remarked that they are looking forward to this year’s match during Old Miners Days.

KR notes: industry sponsorship of this type of shooting match begins

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 09 Apr 1959, Thu  •  Page 4

Gunslingers In Hesperia Contest

Members of Bear Valley Gunslingers have their weapons oiled up in anticipation of next Sundays fast draw competition at Hesperia Dude Ranch. Trophies to be awarded first five places are on display at the American National Bank this week Emphasizing accurate hitting ability along with the fast draw competitors will have results measured by an electronic device to determine winners Events will be held from 10 until 2 pm Placing high in past events and entering again will be local six-gun artists Jeff Cooper, High Carpenter, Norman Pardee, Chuck Dixon and Jim Sullivan.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 16 Apr 1959, Thu  •  Page 7

GROWING INTEREST IN SHOOTING ACTIVITY

Evidence of growing interest in Gunslingers fast draw and accuracy events were the 93 entries at the contest sponsored by Bear Valley Gunslingers at Hesperia Dude Ranch on Sunday. Kurt Anderson of Burbank took first place as he also did in the Leather Slap event of Old Miners Days in 1958

Placing 6th and 13th respectively were Hugh Carpenter and Jeff Cooper of Bear Valley who also actively ran the events.

Representing a cross section of the best fast draw pistol shooters in the country, the electronic timer proved that it takes one and one-third seconds to draw and place a disabling shot in a man at ten yards thus refuting claims of less than a second which have been made according to Jeff Cooper who noted that the winning time on Sunday was 1.32 seconds with about 20 entrants making accurate hits in two seconds flat.

The next event will be held on May 17 at the Rifle Range in Bear Valley Most of the entrants of the Hesperia contest indicated intentions of entering the Leather Slap this summer during Old Miners Days.

KR notes: the current obsession with the one second 7 yard draw is not new. 1.32 seconds for a 10 yard effective hit, working from open carry was what won the match. By this time in the evolution of their sport, competitors were likely bringing the gun up to eye level or using some kind of visual index, not just hip shooting as they had done in the pure leatherslap events.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 16 April 1959, Pg. 6, 07 May 1959,  Pg 5 & 28 May 1959, Page 4

GUNSMITHING leather goods made & repaired. Phone Hugh Carpenter, 4773

KR notes: there was a time in US history where local phone numbers were only 4 digits.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California 21 May 1959, Thu  •  Page 5

Gunslingers In Clean Sweep

Carpenter First. A clean sweep was made by local Gunslingers at the Mexican Defense Course competition on Sunday with Hugh Carpenter first, Norm Pardee second and Jeff Cooper third. Sixteen entries were made from various southland cities including Harold Gregory of the LAPD placing fourth and Ron Stillens of Santa Monica fifth.

Next meet for handgun artists, featuring accuracy of hitting as well as fast drawing, will be held on June 14 with a reaction course meet.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 28 May 1959, Thu  •  Page 2

Cooper To Discuss Guns At Lions Club

…Jeff Cooper will talk on hand guns. Having authored many articles and books on guns he is also considered an authority and is well known locally for lining up fast-draw contests in Big Bear as a feature of Old Miners. …

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 11 Jun 1959, Thu  •  Page 7

Gunslingers To Hold Field Reaction Event

A field reaction course will be held by Bear Valley Gunslingers on Sunday at 11 am at McAlister rifle range with a two dollar jackpot divided among the winners.

Scoring will emphasize both marksmanship and time with the number of hits divided by the time taken to run the course to establish winners. Laid out cross-country, the course will simulate hunting trail conditions with targets placed adjacent to the marked trail.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 18 Jun 1959, Thu  •  Page 2

BIG FIELD COMPETES IN GUNSLINGERS SHOOT

Lee Fitzgerald of Hawthorne topped the large entry list of contestants Sunday at the Gunslingers monthly shoot at the local rifle range. Jeff Cooper was second and John Kiger third.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 08 Jul 1959, Wed  •  Page 1

BEAR VALLEY GUNSLINGERS HOLD MONTHLY EVENT

Planned and supervised by Hugh Carpenter and assisted by Chauncey Phillips, the monthly event was held at McAlister’s Rifle Range. Participants numbered 14 with the Barstow Fast Draw Club well represented. This event was a timed dual and also was a Jackpot Event with the first 3 places given money prizes from the entry fees. Winning the lop 3 places were Bob Munden first, Joe Williams, Barstow, second, and Hugh Carpenter third.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 08 Jul 1959, Wed  •  Page 1

ROBERT MUNDEN INJURED

Riding with his uncle Floyd C Burt, 42, of Inglewood on Sunday evening at 11:50, Robert Munden, 17, received major injuries as he was thrown out of the car as it rolled at the top of Red Ant Hill and was pinned under it. He was sent to County Hospital in San Bernardino.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 22 Jul 1959, Wed  •  Page 8

Hugh Carpenter Wins Soledad Canyon Shoot

Hugh Carpenter of Big Bear City won the Gunslingers Fast Draw Contest held in Soledad Canyon Sunday July 19. It marked the initial contest sponsored by the new association “The Peacemakers of San Fernando Valley.” It proved to be a well-chosen location on Wes Thompson’s Juniper Tree Rifle Range.

Although advance notices to local shooters announced that all single double and automatic guns were acceptable in the contest, it has since been learned that the Southern California Fast Draw Association may take action to outlaw automatics from future contests.  Hugh Carpenter and Jeff Cooper were the only two men using automatics.

August 2nd is announced for the Hesperia Shoot put on by “The Crusaders.”

In winning the trophy, Hugh defeated Harry Gregory, Los Angeles Police Officer, 2nd place, Lee Monroe, member of the “San Fernando Peacemakers,” 3rd place.

From a bystanders viewpoint a shoot contest “measures the caliber of the man not the gun”

KR notes: Wes Thompson’s range in Piru was the home of the original Steel Challenge World Championship matches in the 1980’s, and remained the home of that major match until California laws and purchase of the match by USPSA led to its relocation.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 05 Aug 1959, Wed  •  Page 1

The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, 09 Aug 1959, Sun  •  Page 3

‘Gunfighter’ Prize Won By Deputy BIG BEAR

Jack H. Weaver, Los Angeles County deputy sheriff from Lancaster, carried home the grand prize for the best -all around gunfighter in the Old Miners’ Days gun shooting contest here yesterday.

Weaver, who has been shooting for nine years, won the prize by copping the double-action shooting contest and placing second in single-action shooting.

San Bernardino’s Irv Fountain, a member of the San Bernardino Thumb Busters Club, took first in single-action shooting, and Walter Ivie, member of the West Hollywood Gunfighters, placed third.

Slim O’Connor of Canoga Park grabbed second place in double-action shooting, and Larry Rogers of Riverside took third. Eliminations were held yesterday morning and the finals at 3 p.m. at the Lynn Ski Lift.

KR notes: first mention of Jack Weaver

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 12 Aug 1959, Wed  •  Page 5

LA DEPUTY WINS GUNFIGHTER PRIZE

Jack H Weaver Los Angeles County deputy sheriff from Lancaster was winner of the grand prize for best all-around gun-fighter in the Fourth Annual Leather Slapping Contest held on Sunday as a major feature of Old Miners Days. Weaver placed first in the double-action shooting contest and placed second in single action shooting.

Irv Fountain, a member of the San Bernardino Thumb Busters Club, took first place in single action shooting with Walter Ivie, member of the West Hollywood Gunfighters, placing third.

In double-action shooting, Slim OConnor of Canoga Park took second place, and Larry Rogers of Riverside came out third.  

The contest which has grown in scope and popularity since it was initiated during the Old Miners Days celebration of 1956 was supervised by sheriff’s deputies of the Big Bear Sub-station assisted by reserve officers.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 16 Sep 1959, Wed  •  Page 2

Gunslingers Compete Despite Rain

Sunday’s rain merely added appropriate weather conditions to the contest held at the McAlister Rifle Range by the Bear Valley Gunslingers who were competing with 337 magnum revolvers in a deer hunters match

Of the seven who competed in the monthly event John D “Jeff” Cooper of Boulder Bay placed first with Maitland Stewart of Pomona second and Jim Sullivan of Big Bear City third.

The striated figure of a deer was used as target and the contest determined that a stationary deer can be hit in the heart at 50 yards by a hand gun with no problem and an absolutely stationary animal can be tagged in the shoulder at 100 yards. At 200 yards however the deer is safe from a hunter with a hand gun.

As of now standings in the yearly point competition held by the Bear Valley Gunslingers are: Jeff Cooper first place with 22 points, Jack Weaver of Lancaster, winner of this years Old Miners Leatherslapping Contest, second with 17 points, and Hugh Carpenter of Big Bear City third with 15 points. The contest which extends over the calendar year is now two-thirds complete.

Next meeting of the Gunslingers will be held on Sunday October 18 at 11:00 am on the McAlister Rifle Range on the North Shore Cooper announces.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 17 Sep 1959, Thu  •  Page 5

GUNSLINGERS USE MECHANICAL DEER

Monthly meeting of the Gunslingers was held Sunday at the mechanical rifle range featuring a deer hunters experimental match using silhouettes of deer as targets.

Winners of the match were Jeff Cooper, Maitland Stewart of Pomona, and Jim Sullivan.

Meets are held nine months out of the year and the next one scheduled will be October 18.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 07 Oct 1959, Wed  •  Page 6

RUSSELL TAKES TROPHY

Reed Russell of Big Bear Lake placed fourth in a fast-draw contest at Dead Man’s Point Western Village Saturday October 3.

The shoot was promoted by the Crusaders Fast Draw Club of Dead Man’s Point. The contest was shot at a distance of 21 feet with balloons as targets and due to the lack of a suitable backstop wax bullets were used instead of lead.

This was Russell’s first contest. He has been practicing under the direction of Hugh Carpenter known to be one of Southern California’s top-rate fast-draw artists.

Reed is the first member of a proposed fast-draw team which it is announced will represent the Bear Valley Jaycees. Other tentative members of the team are named as Bruce Broughton, Charles Beck and Jack Wright.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 14 Oct 1959, Wed  •  Page 8

LOCAL GUNSLINGERS COMPETE HERE

Bear Valley Gunslingers will hold another in their series of competitive events on Sunday Oct 18th at McAlister Rifle Range on the North Shore at 11:00 am. The public is welcome both as entrants in the shoot and as spectators points out Jeff Cooper.

The event will be based on the advanced military course for combat hand gunners Cooper states and contestants will run up points in their various places to be figured into the annual total by which the gun-slingers will be rated after the ninth and final contest for 1959 to be held in December.

KR notes: More on the Advanced Military Course can be found here

2019 Practical Pistol Reunion – Advanced Military Combat Course

 Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California 21 Oct 1959  Page 2

Turkey Shoot

The November meeting of the Dear Valley Gunslingers will be in the nature of a turkey shoot it was announced this week by Jeff Cooper. The competition to he held on Sunday November 22 will be based on points scored in shooting the regulation FBI course which is standard with all law enforcement officers. Winners of the first three places will be awarded dressed 15-lb turkeys.

Last Sunday’s competition was an interesting comparison of three types of guns used by the three top gunslingers. First place was taken by Jeff Cooper using a 45 automatic; second place went to Hugh Carpenter with a .38 double action police pistol; and third place was won by Roland Beaver USMC at Bar-stow with a single-action Peacemaker. Contestants shot the military combat course.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 22 Oct 1959, Thu  •  Page 7

COOPER TOPS SHOOTING

Results of the Gunslingers October event held Sunday featuring the combat courses of the armed services were: Jeff Cooper first, Hugh Carpenter, also of Bear Valley, second and Roland Beaver, Barstow Marine, third.

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 25 Nov 1959, Wed  •  Page 10

GUNSLINGERS & LOCAL YOUTHS WIN TURKEYS

Jeff Cooper local Gunslinger took the match and the turkey last Sunday when the Gunslingers held another in a series of competitive pistol shoots.

Using a 45 automatic Cooper made a score of 984 to take first place while Chuck Roberts a Marine from Barstow using a Peacemaker made 92 points to take second place. Tie for third place went to Ron Beaver a Marine from Barstow and Travis White deputy sheriff of Riverside County White used a regular 38 police special.

Scorekeeper was Col Paul McNicol USMC Barstow

In the turkey shoot open to the public three local youngsters edged out visiting young people who were primarily skiers. A turkey was won by first place winner Danny ORourke while Diane ODell and Danny Munden were given pies donated by Tommi Tyndall of Snow Summit.

The final shoot of the Gunslingers year will be held on Sunday Dec 20 which will determine the years point standings

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 26 Nov 1959, Thu  •  Page 5

Local Crackshots Win The Turkeys

Local sharpshooters Jeff Cooper and Danny O’Rourke won the Gunslingers annual turkey shoot last Sunday at McAllister riflerange and Snow Summit.

Coopers score was 98.4 and was followed in the race for the three turkey by Chuck Roberts, a marine from Barstow, with 92.0, Strais White, deputy sheriff from Riverside, with 88.0. This section of the event was held at McAllisters FBI pistol course.  ORourke won the junior shoot at Snow Summit by nipping Diane O’Dell second and Danny Mundun. Each of these three also were awarded turkeys.

The next and last Gunslingers shoot for the season will be held on December 20

Big Bear Life, Big Bear Lake, California, 23 Dec 1959, Wed  •  Page 1

Jeff Cooper Takes Gunslinger Honors

In the final Bear Valley Gunslingers match of the year Jeff Cooper of Boulder Bay took first place in both contests to capture top point standing for 1959 when six members competed on Sunday Dec 20 at the McAlister Rifle Range.

As holder of 65 points garnered during the ten matches this year Cooper is winner of the First Annual Norman Pardee Memorial Award established by A. Claire Pardee in memory of his late son who had been an enthusiastic member of the Gunslingers. The award an engraved belt buckle will be presented to Cooper by Pardee at a later date.

Second place in the years standing went to Hugh Carpenter of Bear Valley with Jack Weaver of Lancaster in third spot.

In the first contest of Sundays shoot the Bear Valley Composite a jackpot shoot Cooper took first place with Jim Sullivan of Bear City and Ray Chapman of Downey following in second and third places. The second event was a sudden death speed shoot in which contestants were required to load run and shoot at seven silhouette targets. Here again Cooper with his automatic pistol placed first:

Second place winner was a professional using a single action pistol who completed incognito because of contractual restrictions and Hugh Carpenter of Bear Valley came in third. Winners were awarded champagne beer and wine respectively to take the chill off the snowy weather.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 24 Mar 1960, Thu  •  Page 5

Gunslingers In Action April 24

Bear Valley Gunslingers will get into action on April 24 with a timed FBI duel featuring paired contestants. The match will begin at 10 am and four trophies are being offered winners.

Jeff Cooper, secretary of the Gunslingers, describes the duel shooting this way: They (contestants) will walk toward the targets after being loaded and holstered at 25 yards.  On the bell they will halt draw and fire until one or the other hits the target.

“The director will whistle cease fire when the light indicates a hit. After each cease-fire, contestants will reload, reholster and stand fast.  On command they will then start forward from the location of the previous shots. First man to store twice wins the bout.”

The shoot will be run as a “double elimination challenge ladder” so that an eliminated contestant may challenge any other losers and displace him by winning, Cooper explained

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 28 Apr 1960, Thu  •  Page 8

Jeff Cooper (center) won first round of Bear Valley-Gunslingers 1960 pistol competition for Norm Pardee Memorial Award last Sunday as 45 entrants  showed-up for event despite snowstorm. Second place winner was Bill Lindquist of Glendale and Ray Chapman (right) of Norwalk took third (Photo by Bob Freeman)

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 09 Jun 1960, Thu  •  Page 7

Rifle Range Gets Official OK

Proposed site for a new rifle range in Bear Valley received approval of the county planning commission last week at a hearing in San Bernardino. Representatives of the local Sportsman’s club seeking approval were accompanied by officials of forest service who had assisted the organization in locating the 54 acre plot about half a mile north on the west side of Division street (were it extended northerly from state highway 18). The site will permit building of a target shooting area with a maximum of 150 yards designed for large bore rifles and small bore pistols and possibly also trap shooting. The forest service is issuing a special use permit for the project

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 14 Jul 1960, Thu  •  Page 3

CENTENNIAL

Jeff Cooper lining up the fifth annual leather slapping contest for Old Miners Days on Aug 6 reports that a very appropriate additional trophy will be awarded this year’s winner-a yank pistol which is a modern replica of the 1851 Navy Colt a 36 caliber black powder cap-and-ball revolver that was the most popular and efficient side arm of the Gold Rush Era.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 04 Aug 1960, Thu  •  Page 1

CELEBRATING OLD MINERS

BURROW DERBY HIGHLIGHTS WEEKEND OF FUN

Saturdays activities include an Elks club barbecue beginning at noon, a pony express race at Baldwin Lake, a log sawing contest at Big Bear Lake and the annual shooting (leather slapping) competition at Snow Summit.

The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, 07 Aug 1960  Sunday page 4

Big Bear Celebration

The leather-slapping fast draw contest held at Snow Summit attracted the largest crowd in the history of the local event. Top gunner was Elden Carl Jr. of El Cajon, who won a trophy and a check for $500. Second gunner was Jack Weaver of Lancaster, who won a trophy’ and $200. Weaver was winner of this event last year. Ronald Close of Highland was third gunner, winning a trophy and $100. Close is a member of the Outlaws Club of San Bernardino. Fourth gunner was Noel Cobbs of El Cajon, winning a trophy and $50. ; It is interesting that Carl, Weaver and Cobbs are police officers while Close is an “outlaw.”

KR notes: First mention of future Combat Master Elden Carl.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 12 Jan 1961, Thu  •  Page 4

Jeff Cooper (on the left) accepts the Norman Pardee Memorial award from A.C. Pardee. The award is given to the over-all best pistol shot member of the Hear Valley Gun slingers.            

[Photo Caption from larger article may be 1960 award given for 1959.]

Valley Times, North Hollywood, California  July 26, 1961  page 4

Fast Frontiers combat shoot at Wes Thompson range

At the recent Combat Shoot at Wes Thompson’s Soledad Canyon range 28, shooters entered the Fast Frontiers sponsored contest.  First place went to Jack Weaver of Lancaster with a 146×150 score.  Weaver shoots with a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver.  The second spot went to Elden Carl who scored a 145×150.  Jeff Cooper took third with a 121×150.

Both Cooper and Carl shoot the Colt .45 caliber automatic.  Max Ruby also using a .45 Colt automatic took fourth place and scored 117×150. Trophies were presented to the winners.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 27 Jul 1961, Thu  •  Page 1

LEATHER SLAP CONTEST SET FOR AUGUST 5

Jeff Cooper, chairman of the leather – slap contest which will be held at Lynn Lift on August 5, says that entries are still coming in and will be taken up until the end of the qualifications on that date. The sixth annual contest of its kind in the United States there will be qualification contest in the morning and a main event featuring 16 top qualifiers at 1:30 in the afternoon. This is a speed shooting contest held for uses of heavy duty pistols with full – charged ammunition.

Two snow queens Christy Cooper and Anne Lund will be on hand to help award the trophies at the close of the contest

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 03 Aug 1961, Thu  •  Page 1

MARKSMEN IN LEATHER – SLAP ON SATURDAY

Crack marksmen in a speed shooting contest will vie for trophies in the annual leather – slap contest during Old Miners Days. The 16 best qualifiers in the heavy duty pistol shoot will compete in the main event Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock at Lynn ski lift. Qualifying rounds will be shot Saturday morning The entry list remains open until the morning contest begins.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 10 Aug 1961, Thu  •  Page 1

LEATHER SLAP SAID BEST ONE YET

Spectators at the annual leather slap held at Lynn Lift on Saturday afternoon saw an outstanding event during Old Miners Days celebration and generally agreed that it was one of the finest yet staged.  

Jeff Cooper who has been in charge of the gun-slinging events for the valley was awarded a plaque for his devoted time and effort in the promotion and success of the Bear Valley Gunslingers club. Eldon Carl of San Diego won first in the event and was awarded $60 plus a trophy and new Remington 44 cap and ball modern replica pistol.

Other Jackpot money was divided among the three winners: Jack Weaver of Lancaster Robert Madden of Pico Rivera and Ray Park of Bellflower.  Weaver was also given the Pardee Memorial award a handsome belt buckle for the highest overall points for gunslinger events for the year up to and including the leather slap. Receiving the largo trophy for the best dressed and most authentic outfit at the event was Bob Arnold of North Hollywood.

For outstanding performance and showmanship, a surprise award was presented to Thell Reed Jr of Downey. The fastest time contest was won by Ray Chapman of Norwalk who also received a new Remington 44 cap and ball pistol.

On hand to help make the awards were Christy Cooper and Anne Lund, Snow Queens of Bear Valley.

The Grizzly, Big Bear Lake, California, 21 Sep 1961, Thu  •  Page 1

30 RECORDS FALL AT BIG SHOOT

All shooters in the Bear Valley Gunslingers event last Saturday unofficially broke either nation or world records using the 44 Mag pistol said to be the most powerful hand weapon ever built.  Jeff Cooper president of the Gunslingers praised the shooting skill of Eldon Carl of El Cajon and Jack Weaver of Lancaster who won firsts for slow fire and “time fire” respectively.

Desert Dispatch, Barstow, California, 08 Aug 1962, Wed  •  Page 1

THE TWO GREATEST GUNSLINGERS IN THE WORLD

That is the way Jeff Cooper, president of the Big Bear Gunslingers Association described these two contestants who fought it out during last week’s Old Miners Days, “Leather Slapping” tournament.  They are Jack Weaver (left) and Eldon Carl (right) of the Lancaster and El Cajon police departments respectively.  Last year, they were pitted against each other in the final match; here they are shown in an early round.  Carl won and then went on to capture the $300 first prize money for the third year in a row.

The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, 05 Aug 1964, Wed  •  Page 9 & 13

THEY TELL ME by Earl E Buie        

It’ll be noisier than the O.K. Corral.

If you’re tired of watching gunmen of the television westerns blaze away with their six-guns and, it seems, never hit anything, then you would enjoy the Big Bear Leather Slap, a combat shooting contest at Snow Summit at Big Bear Lake, Saturday.

At the match, which is one of the top events of Old Miner’s Days, the fastest guns in the West (no kidding, the very fastest and most accurate) will go boom boom.

But the fast guns will not shoot at each other; they’ll shoot at balloons. Two gunmen will stand, pistols in holsters, 21 feet from two 12-inch ballons. A whistle blows. They draw and fire live ammunition. The first man to break his balloons wins.

In another competitive event, the contestants will draw and fire at several targets. The targets will be silhouettes of men, placed 5 to 50 yards from the firing line. Usually, the skilled gunslingers will hit the five targets in about four seconds. If they don’t hit the target in the center of the body, the shooters are penalized. There’s none of that winging ’em stuff.

And who are these fastest guns? Well, they are called combat masters, that’s who.  There are but six combat masters in the nation and one of them, a retired lieutenant-colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps, John D. (Jeff) Cooper of Big Bear Lake, will be in charge of the contest.

Cooper, who served as a line officer in the South Pacific in World War II and in the Korean action, is one of the recognized pistol marksmen of the country. Always interested in guns, he sharpened his shooting eye in combat, where how fast you could draw frequently made the difference of whether you came back home or became a statistic. He is an officer of the Southwest Combat Pistol Association, an organization of fast guns.

The combat shooters began their careers practicing quick draws with blanks, then used wax bullets and finally graduated to live ammunition. Those who fired too soon ripped a leg or lost a toe or two. With wax bullets they only burned their holsters. It’s no game for the drug store cowboys, or, for that matter, the television gunmen.

But you’ll be perfectly safe at the Big Bear Leather Slap, so-called because the gunmen slap their holsters as they draw in an instant. The shooting range is located in the forest with plenty of range for bullets which tear through the targets. The contest will begin at 10:30 a.m. when qualifying rounds are held. Prior to the final competition, a demonstration of fast draw shooting will be presented, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Competing in the contests will be the six combat masters (champions), all of whom won their title in events hold during the past nine years. They are Eldon Carl, a deputy sheriff of San Diego County; Ray Chapman, state highways engineer of Sepulveda; John Plahn and Jack Weaver, both Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs stationed at Lancaster; Thell Reed Jr., a professional exhibition shooter of Downey, and Col. Cooper.

In the competitive events you can expect the combat masters to draw, fire and hit a target in a matter of a mere 16-one-hundredths of a second good time for even Marshal Dillon, or a Paladin (now retired to just plain drama stuff).

If fast-draw shooting doesn’t interest you, there’ll be plenty of other events of the Old Miner’s Day program to see. The 10th Annual National Burro Derby, which starts tomorrow from Apple Valley, will finish at 10 a.m. Saturday, if the burros behave. Then there’ll be judging of the whiskerino contest, a log-sawing contest, the Big Bear Players’ production of “The Romance of Scarlet Gulch” and, in the evening, a dance at the Peter Pan Club in Big Bear City. Old Miner’s Days will continue through Sunday with a parade and barbecue.

The San Bernardino County Sun   San Bernardino, California   26 Jun 1970, Fri  •  Page 10

THE SUN Friday, They Tell Me

Big Shoot Out at Big Bear Valley By EARL E. BUIE

Some 45 to 50 pistoleers perhaps the world’s fastest draw marksmen will compete In a shooting match at Snow Forest, in the range south of Big Bear Valley Aug. 1 In the first event of a week’s program of the valley’s Old Miner’s Days.

In the parlance of the quick-firing gunmen, a pistoleer is an expert with fa .45 target weapon. And I hate to disillusion you admirers of Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday, Wild Bill Hickok or any of the legendary gunslingers of the Old West, but I must tell you the leather slappers today could shoot the buttons off any of the two-gun men, whose aim was, admittedly, deadly – if he wanted to live.  

In the Old Miner’s Day competition, a pistoleer must draw, fire and hit a 12-inch target at seven yards at a tick -of, your watch or clock. Fast? Well, in last year’s match, a Saugus mechanic, Leonard Knight, did just that in .39 of a second.

Jeff Cooper, of Big Bear Valley, a gun consultant who trains police how to handle their weapons, tells me that today’s professional leather slapper is unquestionably faster than the gunmen of another day and more accurate.

Cooper is one of the four or five fastest men in the world with a gun.

There was, of course, nobody holding a stopwatch on the old-time killer when he met his adversary in the street to shoot it out, Cooper frankly admits. But there were other factors. Cooper contends, to show that the modern Leather slapper fires faster. One thing, said Cooper, was that the frontier gunmen wore holsters which held their gun tightly, that in the event they were thrown from a horse that six-shooter wouldn’t fly out. Consequently the hired gun couldn’t possibly draw as fast as the pistoleer who carries his gun in a so-called open holster from which his gun can be instantly drawn.

Split-second timing in leather slap contests, Cooper said, shows that a competitor in the shooting matches requires something like .21 of a second to react to the signal, sounded by bell. Then he must aim at the target and fire. Ordinarily, a performance in .49 to .55 of a second will take home the money. A .60-second performance of drawing and firing is slow, Cooper said.

Today, said Cooper, the reaction of target shooters, and even athletes, to a signal is electrically timed. It may surprise you that Cassius Clay, the dethroned heavyweight champion, scored a figure of .16 seconds in scientific tests. Clay, however, is not a sharpshooter outside of the prize ring, he fired with his hands. This year’s leather slap competition will be the 16th to be held annually at the Old Miner’s Days event in Big Bear Valley. On the program are the three-day burro race, the wranglers starting Thursday Aug. 6, and finishing Saturday Aug. 8 at the Elks clubhouse on the valley’s main street.

Annually, the burro race draws throngs of spectators, a few of whom wager on their favorite wrangler and animal. The race course is around the lake. The leather slap shooting competition will begin at 9 a.m. for qualifying rounds. The finals are scheduled for 1 p.m. when the two-man teams begin firing. The range is equipped with the steel targets, each 12 inches in diameter. On each target is a tiny balloon, one red, the other green. On the firing line the shooters cannot make a move until the bell signal sounds. Then the competitors begin firing, continuing until they hit the target. On occasions, but rarely, some empty their guns without a hit. The winners in each two-man match must compete against other winners, the field narrowing with each match.

The winner will receive a top prize of $500. Other prizes range downward to $50. Incidentally, the 21-foot range was determined to conform with FBI records which show that in the average gun play the distance between participants is seven yards.

So the whole thing may be extremely Interesting, what with lightning fast and consistently accurate shooting. Moreover it could be educational. It will teach you how fast to duck in case you’re being fired upon.

The San Bernardino County Sun  San Bernardino, California   30 Jul 1970, Thu  •  Page 30

The 18^th [sic] annual commemoration of “the old days” of Big Bear Valley will open officially with the popular Leather Slap contest sponsored by the Southwest Pistol League and hand gun expert Jeff Cooper with qualifications from 9 to 12 noon Saturday and matches and demonstrations scheduled for 1 p.m. The site will be changed from Snow Summit this year to Snow Forest Ski area. “Fast guns” from the length of the state assemble for this contest of skill with pistols. There will be an admission charge this year of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.

More info from EldenCarl.com

Big Bear Leatherslap – The Peak Years     9-8-2015

Here is a list of the 1960 through 1965 Leatherslap winners, all shooting from one-hand point:

• 1960 Elden Carl – S&W Model 19 double action at 21 feet

• 1961 Elden Carl – Colt 1911A1 45 auto at 21 feet

• 1962 Elden Carl – Colt 1911A1 45 auto at 21 feet

• 1963 Thell Reed – 45 Colt Peacemaker single action at 15 feet

• 1964 Thell Reed – Colt 1911A1 45 auto at 21 feet

• 1965 Thell Reed – Colt 1911A1 45 auto at 21 feet

I competed in 4 Leatherslaps winning three with two types of pistols from one-hand point. Thell Reed is the only other competitor to win three with two types of pistols from one-hand point. Once Thell and I retired from the Leatherslaps, me in 1964 and Thell in 1965, all Leatherslaps were won by shooters using the two-hand hold.

From my historical handgun research team, a 1968 Shooting Times article from Texan Skeeter Skelton on point shooting with a revolver. By 1965, Jeff Cooper had already started the revolution, advocating two handed, aimed fire, but the mainstream writers working for the mass market gun publications were still talking about the old ways. Note that the gathering of handgunners for this particular event included legendary shooters Bill Jordan, Harlon Carter and Charles Askins.

Back in 1968 the only way to try out these point shooting techniques was either to dryfire at a full length mirror (a technique advocated by Jelly Bryce), or find a safe place (such as a large Texas ranch) where stray unaimed rounds were unlikely to leave the property or harm people. The hip shooters of cowboy fast draw use wax bullets propelled by primers fired at large steel targets. Typically these are handloaded by the shooter, which requires reloading equipment.

In the current era, laser cartridges and laser-firing training guns, such as the SIRT pistol, or Airsoft guns, can be used by the curious gunslinger to try their hand at these vintage techniques. Developing some skill at point shooting can be fun, but bringing the gun to the eye target line and using the sights produces much better and consistent results.

From my historical handgun research team: a 1945 NRA article written by Lt. Col. Rex Applegate describing the floorplan and training conducted in his shoot house. The shoot house included multiple scenarios with 3D targets, props, blank firing guns simulating return fire, audio cues and other elements to provide a realistic simulation.

Advocates of Applegate’s point shooting techniques should note that out of 24 rounds fired in the shoot house, Applegate was pleased to point out that his training improved their hit ratio from 4 out of 24 to 8 out of 24 – a hit ratio of 33% on targets closer than 10 feet. The students in his training were all shooters who scored Marksman or Expert with the .45 pistol — but that shooting was done on a 24″ wide bullseye target at 15, 25 and 50 yards. Applegate’s data doesn’t really show the success of his technique as much as the failure of traditional one handed bullseye to develop skills for close range combat shooting…and the failure of his unaimed/unsighted fire techniques to elevate performance even to the 50% hit ratio level.

The gun used in the shoot house, according to Applegate, was the Colt Service Ace .22. More info about that gun in the video below.

My historical handgun research team sent me this article from a 1945 issue of the American Rifleman. Credited to J. Edgar Hoover, it gives an overview of all the guns and shooting drills the FBI was using in that era. In the article, Hoover shares the qualification courses for the .38 special revolver, Thompson submachine gun and 12 gauge shotgun, and also explains how the FBI uses the .357 magnum revolver and .30 caliber rifle as special purpose weapons. Most of these drills were shot on the old Fitzgerald target designed in the 1920’s, also known as the Colt Silhouette target or the NRA B-21. I wrote about the history of that target in this older blog post.

Target Evolution: B-21, B-21X, to B-27 and beyond

I’ve written a lot about the FBI’s Practical Pistol course, which became the course of fire for PPC (Practical Pistol Combat) competition. Several of those articles are linked below.

Historical Handgun – more on the 1945 FBI course of fire

Historical Handgun – even more on the 1945 FBI course of fire

FBI Practical Pistol Course (1946)

Here’s some vintage film clips of FBI shooting practice from the 1930’s and 1940’s.