The Elusive 70mm Cigarette Case

Back in June, I lamented the lacking availability of new cigarette cases for my hand rolled, 70mm sticks and began using an Altoids tin ("Using an Altoids Tin as a Cigarettes Case"). This has been a successful undertaking as, after six months of heavy use, the tin has remained in tact. Of course, while quite serviceable, it is imperfect as, like most contemporary cigarette cases, there is plenty of empty space remaining after it is filled with 70mm smokes. As a matter of fact, its length surpasses that of standard king sized tubes (see the accompanying photograph at left).

Yesterday, while perusing a number of thrift and antique stores, I stumbled across a vintage cigarette case that provides a perfect fit for twenty-two 70mm cigarettes. The brass case, which has no manufacturer's mark, was made in England and it is in generally good shape with the exception that the original leather covering has been removed. Having priced vintage cigarette cases, I was somewhat apprehensive to inquire about the cost yet I was encouraged by its exterior condition. Needless to say, I was astounded to find that it was only $1.50 (one dollar and fifty cents)! It is certainly true that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

With a capacity of twenty-two cigarettes, this is a large cigarette case. However, it is very flat and it carries well in a hip or jacket pocket. I have used it all day today and I am quite satisfied with my bargain basement find which fulfills my quest for a true, 70mm cigarette case. Though it is vintage, its price renders it suitable for daily use while its condition ensures that such service will not harm any potential collector value.

The Remington Model 33 and Other Single Shot .22s

The Remington Model 33 is a single shot, bolt action rifle chambered for the .22 Long Rifle Cartridge. It was introduced in 1932 and discontinued in 1935; according to Remington, approximately 263,550 were produced with serial numbers ranging from 00001 to 263,550. The specimen pictured, serial number 195,XXX belonged to my great grandfather who passed it along to my father who in turn passed it to me. Well worn from from countless thousands of rounds of ammunition and nearly eight decades of service, the old rifle still performs admirably, despite its dings, blemishes, and missing rear sight blade.

Such rifles, once popular due to their rugged simplicity, inherent safety, reasonable accuracy, and modest cost, have been first rifles for many youthful shooters and continue to serve as excellent training tools. Though unexciting in the age of Tactical .22s, single shots like the old Remington 33 eliminate distractions and provide a deliberate focus upon safety and marksmanship with each round that is chambered and fired. For seasoned shooters, they offer unparalleled reliability and flexibility: their simple actions incorporate few moving parts, rendering them unlikely to fail, and they reliability digest most non-magnum .22 rimfire ammunition from mild mannered CB Caps to hyper velocity Stingers. This reliability and flexibility can make them viable survival tools.

Bolt action, single shot .22s are currently available in adult and youth models from Savage Arms and Keystone Sporting Arms, LLC (manufacturers of the Crickett and Chipmunk Rifles) while Marlin offers a single shot youth version of the XT Series. Other single shot .22s that are available include Savage's reintroduction of the venerable Stevens Favorite, a falling block design, and the inexpensive break actions produced by H&R and Rossi in both adult and youth models. While all are good rifles, the Rossi Model S411225BS, a youth sized rifle that comes with matching .22 Long Rifle and .410 shotgun barrels represents exceptional value (retailing for around $150) and versatility.

Swiss Army Knives

From childhood, I have been intrigued with multifunctional, Swiss Army style knives. The first one that I ever owned was a Japanese knockoff that was acquired at a flea market at about the time that I was a Cub Scout. While not of exceptional quality, it was functional and included a hobo tool that certainly boosted its "cool factor", even though I do not recall ever eating with it. Since then, I have tried to keep a knife of this style handy because its compact, no nonsense functionality makes it a dependable tool of preparedness that is used almost every day.

The original Swiss Army Knife, the Model 1890, was produced by Wester & Co. in Solingen, Germany. This knife, which was somewhat bulky, contained a blade, reamer, can opener, and a screwdriver. Towards the end of 1891, Karl Elsner began producing the Model 1890 knife and in 1896, he designed a new one, the “Schweizer Offiziers und Sportsmesser” (the Swiss Officers and Sports Knife) which had a new spring mechanism that facilitated the addition of a smaller blade and corkscrew. Elsner's company ultimately became Victorinox, which still produces the iconic Swiss Army Knife.

When I was in high school, I can recall arguing with a buddy as to which of us had a "real" Swiss Army Knife. I had a Victorinox and he had a Wenger and each of us vociferously contended that our respective knives were bona fide. As it turns out, we were both right. In 1893, Paul Boéchat & Cie, which was acquired by Theodore Wenger and renamed the Wenger Company, began selling a similar knife and in 1908, the government contract for Swiss Army Knives was split between the two companies.

Over the years, many companies have produced knives of the Swiss Army style and pattern which have ranged from poor to excellent in quality. The general purpose pocket knife that served the US military for generations, the MIL-K 818, is an example of an excellent Swiss Army style knife as are many vintage Boy Scout knives which are built along this pattern. My father's Boy Scout Knife, which was made by Kutmaster and is pictured above, beneath a Victorinox Super Tinker, shows the wear of approximately fifty years of regular, utilitarian service. Of course, only Swiss Army knives produced by Victorinox (The Master Craftsman and the Astronaut models) have the distinction of being officially issued by NASA and used in space.

A Swiss Army Knife or a quality imitation is imminently useful and it fills the niche between between a simple pocket knife and bulky multi-tool that requires a sheath. How many times have you wished that you had tweezers or a toothpick at hand? Have you become spoiled by the twist caps of domestic beers only to be defeated by the traditional cap of a quality micro brew or import? Have you ever needed to adjust the windage on your adjustable rear sight but had no small screw driver available? Have you ever broken a can opener in the midst of preparing dinner?

Such petty inconveniences are easily overcome with a Swiss Army Knife and while amusing, they provide a point of reflection upon the utility and flexibility that such a compact and easily carried tool can provide in an emergency or survival situation. Moreover, the more basic models are no more expensive than other quality pocket knives and are periodically offered at a bargain. The Victorinox Super Tinker, pictured above, was recently acquired from a Wal-Mart clearance rack for $17 which makes it a practical and cost effective addition to any preparedness inventory.

Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God!

Uttered by Benjamin Franklin, proposed as the motto for the Great Seal of the United States, and used by Thomas Jefferson on his personal seal, "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God" reflects the spirit of the American Revolution and the commitment to individual liberty that was shared by the Founding Fathers. However, this sentiment is most justly credited to Bishop John of Salisbury who stated in Policraticus in 1159 that "...it is just for public tyrants to be killed and the people to be liberated for obedience to God."

Bishop John's opus was a response to the attempts of Henry II to dominate the Church which ultimately led to the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. In Policraticus, Bishop John rejected tyranny, holding that it was high treason and a public crime which rendered tyrants public enemies. He further acknowledged that tyranny was not just a political venue because "...many private men are tyrants." Accordingly, he found that Christians were not always bound to authority and laws because "...God must be preferred before any man on earth."

The Twelfth Century wisdom of John of Salisbury was heeded by our revolutionary forefathers who secured our independence from Great Britain and it should not be lost by Twenty-first Century Americans. We live in an era in which we are no longer free and independent. Our pursuit of happiness is intruded upon and trampled daily by tyrannical politicians, bureaucrats, and private men who profess to know what is better for us than we know ourselves and force it upon us via laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and mandates that are offensive to self determination and individual liberty.

We have become so accustomed to intrusions in all facets of our personal lives that we willfully accept conditional and regulated liberty, breaches of privacy, and the expectation that we sign away rights and release liabilities on a daily basis just to function within society, conduct business, and maintain employment. Such pervasive control over citizens is tantamount to slavery and contrary to the nature of liberty provided to us by both Almighty God and our Revolution. For freedom to truly exist, it must be constantly seized, fostered, and protected at all levels, public and private. For freedom loving Americans, "rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." It is our daily duty that should be reflected in all aspects of our public and private lives from polling place, to workplace, to marketplace.