ATF

A: Makers Mark 46. Yes. I'm obsessed. Try it. Trust me.

T: Twist. If you know what it is.. you know. If you don't... you don't. this particular one soaks in bourbon in a zip lock bag. Notice a theme here?

F: Ruger Vaquero... .44mag. Sometimes a big shiney gunslinger rig just feels right.

Raise your hand if you own a single six. Anyone? My vaquero is in the same caliber as a winchester model 94.. so I am pretty set for cowboy action shooting if I were to ever take it up... but its not my thing. Round these parts though.. they make great deer and boar gun because the brush is so damned thick. Never seen pines this tight.

So lets have it boys.. who has cowboy guns?

Drinkin' Back When

I'm gonna tell ya the plain truth boys... we're a damned bunch of teatottlin' do-gooders compared to our glorious ancestors. In this regard... I shall tell a tale... and a true one at that.

Way back in 1812 the USS Constitution left Boston. The ship had a crew of 475 officers and sailors. It was outfitted for war with 74,000 pounds of shot, and 11,500 pounds of powder. For drinking there were 48,600 gallons of water, and 79,000 gallons of rum.

Six weeks later the ship made Jamaica where she took on 68,300 gallons of rum. Three weeks after that she provisioned at the Azores where she shipped 64,300 gals of portugese wine. After shooting up the sea lanes around England, she made a raid on the Firth of Clyde where she captured, among other things a distillery. They loaded up 40,000 gallons of Scotch whiskey and headed for home.

The Constitution arrived home with its ammunition gone. So was all the rum, wine, and whiskey. But so the story goes... still in the hold were those original 48,600 gallons of water.

In honour of those fine men... and that fine tale... I will also share a recipe...

Chatham Artillery Punch

Three Gallons Catawba Wine
1 Gallon Rum
1 Gallon Brandy
1 Gallon Rye Whiskey
5 pounds brown sugar
2 qts of cherries
Juice from 3 dozen lemons

Smooth with 1 gallon of gin... just before serving add 3 gallons of champagne.