This:
Is not a shotgun. It's a Sharps Model 1874 "buffalo" rifle. The caliber on this bad boy starts at .40 (which means the barrel opening is 4/10ths of an inch in diameter and, by extension, the size of the cartridge used in the gun) with many models in the .45-.50 range. Cartridges (the bullet, gunpowder, and primer all packed inside a metal case) were around four inches in length. That's a sizable weapon, folks.And you needed one to take down this (if you were a buffalo hunter in the late 1800s):
Yes, the American Bison (the state animal of Kansas). Too bad the undead versions don't go down with a single head shot.
And that's all you need to know about my WIP. Have a good one.
21 comments:
Hmm... I need to learn more about guns. Thanks for the reminder Aaron. Though I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to shoot the buffalo anymore. Zombie ones would get different precedence in my book... :D
Happy writing.
Hinny - Unfortunately, there are some private farms which allow you to shoot their stock of buffalo. I'm not sure what the draw is...killing a herd animal who spends most of its time grazing in an open field...
Other than National Parks, I'm not sure there are too many buffalo left which aren't raised on private land. A real tragedy.
We have a few farms here that have Bison locally. Some just for the oh that's cool factor. Others for the meat. It is much more lean and better for you than beef and has a wonderful flavor. They do treat their animal well, large fields, fresh water and special grain (not much).
As to guns, when I need to know about them I ask B (bf) he and his dad do a lot with them include making ammunition, reloads, some restoration and other things. They know this stuff off the tops of their heads. :D
It's so sad how the numbers are dwindling. I think buffalo are beautiful. I know that sounds stupid, but I think of them as "royal cattle". Rub off from my late father.
But... if they're undead, I say shoot 'em all. In the WiP, of course.
Woo hoo! Zombie bison. I bet your WIP will be a hit in Kansas.
Sarah - I know enough to be dangerous, but not enough to be an "expert". That's what the 'net is for.
Effie - Can you imagine millions of them? Millions? (not undead ones, of course)
Alan - either that or they'll kick me out and revoke my citizenship card.
The Sharps is a beautiful gun. Probably one of the nicest pieces out there. Can't wait to hear more about the undead bison.
I don't want to kill anything - except maybe a tree - but I've always wanted to try firing a gun.
Sounds very cool.
By the way, cat's out of the bag now over at Moving Parts.
Ah ha, nice teaser for the WIP. Sounds like a good one. And speaking of WIP...I better get a move on.
Jamie - They're monsters, all right.
Cate - Depends on the gun, but it is a little fun. We used to shoot all kinds of things in high school. Cans of shaving cream were especially fun.
Doug - Thanks, and congrats to you.
Anthony - Always. ;)
The only thing that would be better than a zombie bison would be a zombie shark. A zombie shark that can walk on land and breathe air. A zombie shark that can also fly and can see through walls. Okay, I guess what I'm saying is that if Superman were to turn into a shark and then a zombie, that would be better than zombie bison. How's that for particular?
That is a stately buffalo.
Nice post, Aaron. I was just starting to wonder what the chat about guns was for, then...ooh, zombie bison. Cool!
Robert - Superman-anything zombie would be bad. And by "bad" I mean awesomely entertaining.
Michael - I kind of snuck it in there at the end. ;)
Natalie - Stately and slighly terrible. He might be eating grass, but those eyes say his mind is elsewhere.
Undead buffalo? Those are the best kind!
Curiouser and curiouser.
I'd like to see someone take down a Zombie Buffalo with nothing more than a Bowie knife. :-)
Hell yes. Zombie bison.
Have I mentioned how excited I am? Because man. I so am. Eeee!
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