My Growing Passion for Black Powder Firearms

This is my collection, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. I have a growing love and excitement for black powder firearms—a timeless piece of history that combines craftsmanship, precision, and tradition. These firearms tell stories of the past, and owning them feels like holding a piece of history in my hands. Whether it’s the intricate details or the unique firing process, there’s something truly captivating about these classic weapons. As my collection grows, so does my appreciation for their artistry, functionality, and the legacy they represent.

When I was a child my father forbade us to have anything even remotely related to firearms. I can remember wanting a water gun so badly because all the other children in my neighborhood had them but it wasn't meant to be. Fast forward and I'm a young man, i was already familiar with basic firearms by this time, .22 calibers on up to 1911's. I enjoyed the smooth and harmonious way they moved when fired, the sound they made when a magazine was inserted. My influences in firearms taught me a lot of things, unfortunately they didn't teach me basic gun laws in the state of Illinois where i was born and raised. I subsequently became a felon and my love affair with firearms came to a premature and quick end. Now as a middle aged man, years of experience starting to show on my salt and pepper bearded face, I was once again introduced to firearms. But not the firearms of my youth, something much older, slower like i have become, with a history tied to one of the darkest times in American history. The percussion revolver, specifically a reproduction of the 1847 Colt Walker, a gigantic gun, as far as revolvers are concerned. Mr. Keith the man that gifted me that revolver thought, i supposed, that since i was now an Illinois-born Texan that i would appreciate the significance of the firearm. I didn't, i was oblivious to it, but that didn't stop me from finding out about the Walker. I also hesitated because being a felon prohibited me from having firearms. I have learned that even though federal law and state law can sometimes differ, in the great state of Texas, i am allowed to have this antique, and many others like it. As i have delved into the world of black powder firearms i have learned and begun to appreciate how much detail goes into the operation, maintenance and construction of these firearms. Just think of it, mid 19th century America there wasn't even widespread use of electricity and these firearms, stamped engraved, the small springs and mechanisms constructed and assembled, its an amazing feat. I continue my research into this era, while still buying the firearms that have become more than a hobby. Ill always be grateful to Mr.Keith for introducing me to a gun, a gun that changed my life.