Top 5 Posts from 2019

As 2019 comes to an end, I took a look at my site analytics and discovered that these were the top five most popular posts I had this year on the HCH blog.

Be sure to click each link for the full story - and a video on each. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of the top 5 from 2019:

#5

Gun that Fired the 1st Shot at Bunker Hill

On June 17, 1775, the British crossed Boston Harbor and attacked the American position on Breed’s Hill, which history has erroneously remembered as Bunker Hill. It was there, while waiting for the attack, that Colonel William Prescott uttered those famous words: “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” One soldier, Private John Simpson, failed to heed Prescott’s orders. With that one shot, Simpson opened the Battle of Bunker Hill and cemented his place in history.

#4

The Guns of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre

The story of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre is one of the most well-known mob-related events of all time. Everyone knows something about what happened, but few know most of what happened. I had the opportunity to get some "hands-on history" time with the guns from that infamous event, and provide a rundown of all the details pertaining to the storied history of the two actual Thompson submachine guns used in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on February 14, 1929.

#3

Guns Recovered from Ground Zero

As a museum professional, I've had the opportunity to handle some remarkable pieces of American history, and these three all relate to September 11th.

#2

Founding Fathers and Repeating Rifles

Many people try to claim that the Founding Fathers couldn’t have conceived of repeating rifles when they drafted the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights. However, the story of Joseph Belton and his correspondence with the Continental Congress proves otherwise.

#1

Carlos Hathcock's First Rifle

Regarded as one of the most accomplished Marine Corps snipers in Vietnam, Carlos Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills. The key word there is “confirmed,” as Carlos estimates his actual number to be somewhere between 300 and 400. Hathcock’s story is the ultimate testament to what can be done when a small spark from a gun like the Stevens Model 15-A ignites the passion for marksmanship.

Alright, so there you have it! Thanks for a great 2019 and here's to an even better 2020!

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