This week I’ll have owned my Trapper 50CAL pistol for four months, which is the same amount of time I’ve been into muzzleloading. Several times I have thought about naming this Traditions replica pistol, and this thread says it is a good time to do that.
I’ve named my Trapper
ASP. In a moment I’ll explain what it means. I’ve learned from readings that my Trapper could be historically identified as belonging in the 1780s to late 1800s. So far, the MLF historical sub-forum I most enjoy is the “Rocky Mountain Fur Trade.” But the meaning behind my name choice
took me out of the United States, as I looked at the pistol’s usage and historical importance in another country, Russia. However, the time period of the early 1800s is the same. I most likely will not add to our Rocky Mountain sub-forum from this perspective. But I’ve sure enjoyed what I’m reading/learning about this style of muzzleloading firearm in Russia.
ASP are the initials of
Alexander
Sergeyevich
Pushkin. My first thought in my choice is that the name of the deadly poisonous snake is quite apropos. The historical context is that Pushkin died when “bitten” by a dueling pistol at the age of 37 in 1837. Many, many Russians then and now consider Pushkin to be their greatest Russian poet of all time, and that he was the catalyst in establishing modern Russian literature. Born into Russian nobility, the use of a dueling pistol was particular to his social status. Sadly, a dueling pistol was what took his life at the hand of Georges d'Anthès. The duel took place near the Black River just outside of St. Petersburg.
I continue researching the pistol, which Pushkin used. Yes, I know that his pistol was not a Trapper. But when I look at this painting of that duel, I see a similar-looking pistol in Pushkin’s hand. My imagination and curiosity soar with interest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fileduel_of_Pushkin_and_d'Anthes_(19th_century).jpg
Along with the weapons used, I’m also researching the whys and wherefores behind this duel. Pushkin himself was fascinated with the dueling tradition. In fact, I think I will re-read his well-known novel-in-verse, “Eugene Onegin.” A duel weaves throughout that story.
That is how my Trapper got its name. It has been fun participating in this naming thread.
wiksmo
