Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Gumshoe Novel Update

For what it's worth, that gumshoe former Marine I am writing about carries a 1903 Pocket Hammerless in his pocket.  It was a gift, and it is his constant companion.  When expecting trouble he dons the shoulder holster with his Colt .45.  In his desk drawer is a 1917 S&W revolver, and he has a Model 10 stashed in his car, and in his bedside table.

I figured he'd have the Model 10s from his time as a cop, and the other were associated with his service in the Marines, both in WWI and in Nicuragua.

19 chapters outlined.  So 2600 words per chapter to get to 50k.  It's not working out like I planned.  I have a feeling I am writing a novella, and not a novel, and will come up short in the end of month deadline for word count.  And I am behind.  Only a bit over 10,600 words by the middle of Chapter 6.  It'll be a full sized chapter, this one, at least.  The long weekend will help.  I fell behind because of my brother's wedding last weekend.   I will endeavor to persevere.

10 comments:

Sport Pilot said...

Diverse collection of SDG, the S&W M&P wasn't called the M-10 until sometime later in the 1950's. I have one from the 1930's and have wondered about it's history.

Bubblehead Les. said...

No long guns?

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

I couldn't figure how he'd get the 03 back, Les. He's a city PI. They get on with pistols back then in the gentler times.

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

Good call, Sport Pilot. Better not call it a Model 10 in the story.

That Guy said...

Woo-hoo! The 1917 FTW!

abnormalist said...

You could always throw a Remington Model 8 in there :-)
Very period piece. Popular hunting rifle (first semi auto sporting arm sold to the public) also popular with police departments from the 20s.

If you ever come up to Michigan I will let you play with mine (built in 1919 or so) "For research purposes"

http://abnormal-pov.blogspot.com/2011/09/out-of-gun-safe-its-sorta-like-30-30.html

Sport Pilot said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_1897

1897 trench gun, removed the barrel and rolled it up in his blanket roll to sneak it home, friend checking outgoing personal effects ignored it.

Sport Pilot said...

Another possibility for a long rifle or carbine for a WW I veteran would be a Savage 99 in 300 Savage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Model_99
I’d suggest a storyline where the rifle had been used by a criminal while he was a working LEO and his Chief allowed him to keep it. This was a customary practice of the time; an evidence custodian, ranking officer or Judge could and would award the firearm to the officer. Without question it was a commonly accepted practice that was much abused and rightfully discontinued by accredited agencies.

Bubblehead Les. said...

Got it! See, after the Great War, a lot of 1917 Enfields were sold off as "Surplus" to various Rifle Clubs. Naturally, your Hero, wanting to keep up his Skills, has one stored at the Club, and since he has the Key to the Arms Locker...

Stretch said...

Sport Pilot is right re. officers allowed to keep guns taken from bad guys. My Grandma's bedside gun (H&R breaktop in .32 short) was taken from a D.C. hood by my Grandfather back in the '40s. Have a few other safe queens that have "colorful" histories.