Born 65 years too late..

Ron Smith · 04-09-2011, 10:04 AM

I watched a documentary on Roy Chapman Andrews last night. He's the guy who inspired the Indiana Jones movies.

This is the kind of stuff that gets "wander lust" going for me. I wouldn't have hestitated for a second in joining his expeditions, if I had been around.This kind of exploring and adventure is pretty much dead.

Years ago, I was given an old Colt Army Special in 32-20 that was taken from a dead Mexican Bandit in the 30's after a raid on a gold dredge. That pistol exuded excitment everytime I held it and thought about it's origin. Some low-life scum-bag POS broke into my truck while I was at work and stole it out of the console. It was recovered a few years later, but was so rusted, pitted and beat up that I sold it as a parts gun.

Has anyone read any of his books? If so, which are the best?

Ron

saab-bob · 04-09-2011, 10:39 AM

Ron
I know exactly what you mean about "wander-lust".

Here is my favorite advertisement for adventure.
This is a wanted ad that Sir Ernest Shackleton ran in 1913.
He was looking for men to go on a Antarctic Expedition.
Reportedly he received 5000 applicants.
I like to think I would have been one of them!

Bob

Ron Smith · 04-09-2011, 10:49 AM

Bob,

I've dreamed of this stuff since I can remember. The closest I have ever come to it, was the discovery of an old trapper's cabin in Central Oregon while Deer hunting.

I found several bottles dating from the 1800's, and my brother(the bum) found a $5 gold piece nailed above the inside of the door with a square nail though the center of it. Evidently the trapper's emergency funds?

I returned several years later with a metal detector, but the entire area had been logged and the cabin was gone.

Ron

Edward Tinker · 04-09-2011, 11:35 AM

There was an article on this guy somewhere Ron, I think it was in a history magazine, he was a fascinating mad and yes, I wish I could share adventures with him.

Ed

Ron Smith · 04-09-2011, 01:02 PM

Ed,

I found what is supposed to be his best book, but it's $250. So, I think I'll hold off for awhile.

He's also where they came up with Indiana Jones' fear of snakes, he hated snakes. Although seemed absolutely fearless otherwise.

While in Mongolia he had gun battles with Chinese Bandits, which made me hesitate momentarily in thinking I would have wanted to be there. Then realized that I have been there, in a way. Not Bandits, but just as bad and wanted me just as dead.

Ron

alanint · 04-09-2011, 01:58 PM

Ah, The days of Frank Buck, the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and a world open to anybody with the courage to take it.

George Anderson · 04-10-2011, 08:53 AM

I had my first and only Singapore Sling at Raffles. Quite a place.

FNorm · 04-10-2011, 10:06 AM

Never made it to singapore, but I had a martini at the Peninsula in Hong Kong.

"Shaken, not stirred"

FN

Norme · 04-10-2011, 10:35 AM

I, too, never made it to Singapore, but I did visit the three other great Colonial hotels, the King David in Jerusalem, the Taj Mahal in Bombay, and the Peninsula in Hong Kong. When I first stayed at the Taj 35 years ago, Maharashtra (the State in which Bombay is located) was dry, so to get a drink one had to visit the hotel doctor and have ones passport stamped "Certified Alcoholic, alcohol required for medical reasons". One could then enter the hotel's famous bar which was a very lively and popular place (surprise!) and get a drink. I ate all my meals there. Regards, Norm

policeluger · 04-10-2011, 12:16 PM

Been to Singapore and Raffles several times, what a great place, India and about next Jan/Feb........Calcutta and Dum Dum airport where my parents meet during WW2...........

mlmahon · 04-10-2011, 11:09 PM

Been to Singapore many times. Clean and green. Beautiful, but Expensive!! Cross the border into Johor Bahru Malaysia and everything is dirt cheap. Love Tiger beer. I'm scheduled to go to India for a job in a month or so. I'll let you know how it goes.

-ML

The Wizard · 04-11-2011, 09:47 AM

Several years ago I was offered a Colt New Service in .45 Colt that the gentleman said belong to his father who he claimed was a mechanic with one of Roy Chapman Andrews Central Asian expeditions. He did not have any documentation to back up his claims. I told him without documentation the revolver was just another Colt New Service. I always wondered if he went back and did some research.

policeluger · 04-11-2011, 10:44 AM

Let me know how it goes, so far in my research India at the upper level of travel is very expensive.......

Ron Smith · 04-11-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wizard

Several years ago I was offered a Colt New Service in .45 Colt that the gentleman said belong to his father who he claimed was a mechanic with one of Roy Chapman Andrews Central Asian expeditions. He did not have any documentation to back up his claims. I told him without documentation the revolver was just another Colt New Service. I always wondered if he went back and did some research.

You might ask him if he knows what kind of vehicles they used. One make was used exclusively for the Mongolian expeditions. It wouldn't be a fool proof, as the make was mentioned in the documentary, but might add some validity to his story.

Ron

04-09-2011, 10:04 AM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Born 65 years too late.. I watched a documentary on Roy Chapman Andrews last night. He's the guy who inspired the Indiana Jones movies. This is the kind of stuff that gets "wander lust" going for me. I wouldn't have hestitated for a second in joining his expeditions, if I had been around.This kind of exploring and adventure is pretty much dead. Years ago, I was given an old Colt Army Special in 32-20 that was taken from a dead Mexican Bandit in the 30's after a raid on a gold dredge. That pistol exuded excitment everytime I held it and thought about it's origin. Some low-life scum-bag POS broke into my truck while I was at work and stole it out of the console. It was recovered a few years later, but was so rusted, pitted and beat up that I sold it as a parts gun. Has anyone read any of his books? If so, which are the best? Ron Attached Thumbnails __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said... Last edited by Ron Smith; 04-09-2011 at 02:31 PM.

04-09-2011, 10:39 AM	#2
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Ron I know exactly what you mean about "wander-lust". Here is my favorite advertisement for adventure. This is a wanted ad that Sir Ernest Shackleton ran in 1913. He was looking for men to go on a Antarctic Expedition. Reportedly he received 5000 applicants. I like to think I would have been one of them! Bob Attached Images __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

04-09-2011, 10:49 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Bob, I've dreamed of this stuff since I can remember. The closest I have ever come to it, was the discovery of an old trapper's cabin in Central Oregon while Deer hunting. I found several bottles dating from the 1800's, and my brother(the bum) found a $5 gold piece nailed above the inside of the door with a square nail though the center of it. Evidently the trapper's emergency funds? I returned several years later with a metal detector, but the entire area had been logged and the cabin was gone. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-09-2011, 11:35 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	There was an article on this guy somewhere Ron, I think it was in a history magazine, he was a fascinating mad and yes, I wish I could share adventures with him. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

04-09-2011, 01:02 PM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Ed, I found what is supposed to be his best book, but it's $250. So, I think I'll hold off for awhile. He's also where they came up with Indiana Jones' fear of snakes, he hated snakes. Although seemed absolutely fearless otherwise. While in Mongolia he had gun battles with Chinese Bandits, which made me hesitate momentarily in thinking I would have wanted to be there. Then realized that I have been there, in a way. Not Bandits, but just as bad and wanted me just as dead. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-09-2011, 01:58 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Ah, The days of Frank Buck, the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and a world open to anybody with the courage to take it.

04-10-2011, 08:53 AM	#7
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	I had my first and only Singapore Sling at Raffles. Quite a place.

04-10-2011, 10:06 AM	#8
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Never made it to singapore, but I had a martini at the Peninsula in Hong Kong. "Shaken, not stirred" FN Last edited by FNorm; 04-10-2011 at 12:11 PM. Reason: add

04-10-2011, 10:35 AM	#9
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	I, too, never made it to Singapore, but I did visit the three other great Colonial hotels, the King David in Jerusalem, the Taj Mahal in Bombay, and the Peninsula in Hong Kong. When I first stayed at the Taj 35 years ago, Maharashtra (the State in which Bombay is located) was dry, so to get a drink one had to visit the hotel doctor and have ones passport stamped "Certified Alcoholic, alcohol required for medical reasons". One could then enter the hotel's famous bar which was a very lively and popular place (surprise!) and get a drink. I ate all my meals there. Regards, Norm

04-10-2011, 12:16 PM	#10
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Been to Singapore and Raffles several times, what a great place, India and about next Jan/Feb........Calcutta and Dum Dum airport where my parents meet during WW2...........

04-10-2011, 11:09 PM	#11
mlmahon User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Port Neches, TX Posts: 80 Thanks: 51 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts	Been to Singapore many times. Clean and green. Beautiful, but Expensive!! Cross the border into Johor Bahru Malaysia and everything is dirt cheap. Love Tiger beer. I'm scheduled to go to India for a job in a month or so. I'll let you know how it goes. -ML __________________ Knowledge is Power. Trust but Verify.

04-11-2011, 09:47 AM	#12
The Wizard User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Several years ago I was offered a Colt New Service in .45 Colt that the gentleman said belong to his father who he claimed was a mechanic with one of Roy Chapman Andrews Central Asian expeditions. He did not have any documentation to back up his claims. I told him without documentation the revolver was just another Colt New Service. I always wondered if he went back and did some research. __________________ The Wizard Air Dropable AND Ground Recoverable Necat omnes! Deus suos agnoscet. The application of the proper amount of high explosives can solve any problem. War is an act of force and to the application of that force there is no limit! So say the philosophers (Carl von Clausewitz b 1780 d 1831) of war.

04-11-2011, 10:44 AM	#13
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Let me know how it goes, so far in my research India at the upper level of travel is very expensive.......