01/19/2020
Reflecting on how we got here as I get ready to leave for Shot Show, I just got this newsletter send from my dad. If you would like to learn more about us be sure to join the free newsletter on the website and check out all the great articles we have been posting.
Dad's Send:
P.O. Ackley autographing his books starts the Ackley Tribute in the Bellm TCs articles page Index
Most of the articles from our old website are now indexed and readily available on Kurt Bellm's new website with his ever expanding product lines and services. Contact me directly, [email protected] , for current barrel work information. Or, just reply to this newsletter.
June of 2016 over 15 years of my own articles on the TC break open guns were temporarily lost when the server crashed, and the website program would not run on the new server. Most of the articles and pix were archived on the Wayback Machine site, but not readily searchable.
Kurt now has them all on the new Bellm TCs site where they are nicely indexed for quick access.
Most of the whole custom TC barrel making heritage traces back directly to P.O. Ackley through me, then known as Dennis M. Bellm.
As I have written a number of times, P.O. had little to do directly with TC guns, but what I gained from the years mentoring under him and doing the same work he did for 20 years was a substantial foundation for me, those associated with me, and on through those who went on to greatly expand the custom TC barrel trade and even blatantly plagiarizing them!
Ironically, what I learned from P.O. and his mindset often puts me at odds with much of what is vogue even among those in the custom TC barrel trade; however, P.O. Ackley himself was often viewed as something of a heretic among "the industry" also, and I guess I am no exception.
No understanding of cartridge guns can be complete without knowing the groundwork laid by others and honed by notables like P.O. Ackley.
Give the Ackley Tribute page a read first on these cold winter nights and pick other topics from the Articles Index geared to help you get the most from your shooting activities, especially with the TC break open guns.
And gear up for spring shooting!
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Best regards,
Mike Bellm, aka "The TC Hairy Tick"