With Independence Day right around the corner, I will be so bold as to caution CW period weapon collectors to refuse the temptation to fire their original firearms on the Fourth. Most of us don't really need this warning, but for those so tempted, you endanger both your valuable weapon and your own safety if you fire any kind of live round down the barrel or even a blank in the chamber. No matter how well your piece was made back then or how well you maintain it, old metal can hold out just so long.

Years ago when I worked as a seasonal ranger for the National Park Service at an unnamed NPS facility out west we fired our original Gatliing Gun every July 4 with live, home-made ball ammo as part of the festivities until the district headquarters found us out. The NPS policy was and probably still is that only replica firearms may be fired. I don't know if anyone faced disciplinary action for this error back then, but it could have been disastrous or at least very expensive to machine new parts for a blown-up Gatling Gun.

I know with antique vehicles and other machines it is good to run them at least once in a while, but it my own belief that this is not true with original antique firearms. I also remember strong admonitions when I was a young man not even to allow a hammer to drop on an empty chamber of such a weapon, as it was bad for the action of the piece.

I realize many of you strongly disagree with me, and feel you should be allowed to express this form of freedom on such a holiday recognizing our freedoms. This is just my opinion. Stay safe out there, and protect your collection.

Bruce Nichols