Post by jameshunt on Dec 29, 2010 18:38:19 GMT -5
With the advent of BPCR and long range shooting, most all are familiar with what is today commonly termed "shooting sticks" or "cross sticks" to steady the heavy rifle barrel. Period literature describes their use by the "stand" hunter.
In my research it seems that the commercially prepared, or common cross sticks of today's BPCR shooter bare scant resemblance to those use by the 1870's professional. One fact is that today we often shoot prone, whereas they found it better to shoot from a sitting or kneeling position.
I provide two references aptly describing their appearance and use. One is being used by a buffalo hunter, the other by a Texas Ranger considered an outstanding shot by his peers. Although both are from Texas there is no indication that they knew each other. Interestingly they both use the term "rest sticks" indicating that this was probably the common term of the day.
The first description is from Frank Mayer in "The Buffalo Harvest" by Mayer and Roth (Pioneer Press) from page 44.
"A heavy rifle fired so close to the ground reverberates and causes more sound than one fired from higher above it. So if you were prone while firing you would soon frighten your game away. We used rest sticks which put us about thirty inches above the ground, we either sat while we fired or fired from a kneeling position.
"The sticks were a simple device, merely two pieces of wood bolted together so as to provide a crotch in which you put the heavy barrel, hold the barrel and sticks steady with the left hand, which made shooting almost like using a bench rest."
On page 43 Mayer, now an old man, is shown demonstrating the use of rest sticks with his Sharps. The sticks appear about three feet long, and his hand is gripping them where they cross with the rifle forearm sitting upon the crotch of the sticks. He is assuming a kneeling position. The sticks appear to be about an inch think and although difficult to discern, appear to be somewhat flattened on the side like milled lumber. Note that he neither shows nor describes any towel, or leather or other sling like contraption on the sticks to rest the barrel (unlike many modern devices). Nor does he describe any nail on the bottom of the stick to secure in the ground (also probably a modern device). Note also that he describes his as "bolted" together.
The other source is from a Texas Ranger, Lieutenant Baylor who had gotten rid of his .44-40 carbine for a .45 -70 Springfield sporting rifle for Indian fighting. James Gillet wrote in his great book "Six Years With the Texas Rangers: 1875 - 1881 (University of Nebraska Press) page 144:
"He always used what he called rest sticks; that is. two sticks about three feet long the size of one's little finger. These were tied about four or five inches from one end with a buckskin thong. I shooting he would squat down, extend the sticks at arm's length out in front of him with the longer ends spread out in tripod fashion on the ground. With the gun resting in the fork he had a perfect rest and could make close shots at long range. He always carried these sticks in his hand and used them on his horse as a quirt."
Note the similar length, although Mayer's sticks seem a bit more robust. Note the similar use of the term "rest sticks". Note there are no nails in the bottom of the sticks, slings, or multiple holes for adjustment.
Mine follow Gillet's description, tied with a buckskin thong and are about 36 inches long. They work wonderfully from a kneeling position. I think if we are to portray a hide hunter we should be carrying our rest sticks, unadorned and shooting from a sitting or kneeling position. Pure conjecture, but removing my thong from my sticks leaves me with two excellent wiping sticks.
In my research it seems that the commercially prepared, or common cross sticks of today's BPCR shooter bare scant resemblance to those use by the 1870's professional. One fact is that today we often shoot prone, whereas they found it better to shoot from a sitting or kneeling position.
I provide two references aptly describing their appearance and use. One is being used by a buffalo hunter, the other by a Texas Ranger considered an outstanding shot by his peers. Although both are from Texas there is no indication that they knew each other. Interestingly they both use the term "rest sticks" indicating that this was probably the common term of the day.
The first description is from Frank Mayer in "The Buffalo Harvest" by Mayer and Roth (Pioneer Press) from page 44.
"A heavy rifle fired so close to the ground reverberates and causes more sound than one fired from higher above it. So if you were prone while firing you would soon frighten your game away. We used rest sticks which put us about thirty inches above the ground, we either sat while we fired or fired from a kneeling position.
"The sticks were a simple device, merely two pieces of wood bolted together so as to provide a crotch in which you put the heavy barrel, hold the barrel and sticks steady with the left hand, which made shooting almost like using a bench rest."
On page 43 Mayer, now an old man, is shown demonstrating the use of rest sticks with his Sharps. The sticks appear about three feet long, and his hand is gripping them where they cross with the rifle forearm sitting upon the crotch of the sticks. He is assuming a kneeling position. The sticks appear to be about an inch think and although difficult to discern, appear to be somewhat flattened on the side like milled lumber. Note that he neither shows nor describes any towel, or leather or other sling like contraption on the sticks to rest the barrel (unlike many modern devices). Nor does he describe any nail on the bottom of the stick to secure in the ground (also probably a modern device). Note also that he describes his as "bolted" together.
The other source is from a Texas Ranger, Lieutenant Baylor who had gotten rid of his .44-40 carbine for a .45 -70 Springfield sporting rifle for Indian fighting. James Gillet wrote in his great book "Six Years With the Texas Rangers: 1875 - 1881 (University of Nebraska Press) page 144:
"He always used what he called rest sticks; that is. two sticks about three feet long the size of one's little finger. These were tied about four or five inches from one end with a buckskin thong. I shooting he would squat down, extend the sticks at arm's length out in front of him with the longer ends spread out in tripod fashion on the ground. With the gun resting in the fork he had a perfect rest and could make close shots at long range. He always carried these sticks in his hand and used them on his horse as a quirt."
Note the similar length, although Mayer's sticks seem a bit more robust. Note the similar use of the term "rest sticks". Note there are no nails in the bottom of the sticks, slings, or multiple holes for adjustment.
Mine follow Gillet's description, tied with a buckskin thong and are about 36 inches long. They work wonderfully from a kneeling position. I think if we are to portray a hide hunter we should be carrying our rest sticks, unadorned and shooting from a sitting or kneeling position. Pure conjecture, but removing my thong from my sticks leaves me with two excellent wiping sticks.
