Watch this scene from 1975's The Wind And The Lion, and you'll see Brian Keith as Teddy Roosevelt looped up for target practice.
I don't think you'd see that today. Keith came by that skill honestly - a Marine in World War II, he was a radioman/tail gunner in an SBD Dive Bomber.
I hadn't realized that, and hadn't noticed the sling when I watched the film.
Proper cross-legged sitting position as he's shooting that Winchester 1895, too. (the one that he cleaned with his tie.) The Real T.R. loved that rifle. And that first rifle--a Martini-Henry. Nice.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is still a great movie, as well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice that either, but I'm a handgun chick mainly.
ReplyDeleteI love that movie, especially the end where he 'justs wants to be with his bear.'
Brian Keith was an amazing actor, often relagated to mediocre roles. Thanksfully, this was not one of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd a sad story. He was dying of cancer and his daughter had just committed suicide (drug-related), and he couldn't live with the grief. He ended his own life.
My dad always used a sling that way; he learned it in the Navy. They used the 1903 Springfield when he went through boot camp back in 1946.
ReplyDeleteI must have seen this film a hundred times... and I love it still. I first saw it as a kid and it began my love affair with Teddy Roosevelt.
ReplyDeleteAahh Appleseed. Taught me to loop properly and increased my accuracy 100%.
ReplyDelete"John, I'd never shoot anyone accidentally. I need their votes."
ReplyDeleteHa!