What History Has Taught Me: Mike Harvey

Mike Harvey

Mike Harvey is the owner and founder of Cimarron Firearms Co. and the proprietor of Texas Jack Wild West Outfitter in Fredericksburg, Texas. In 1979 Mike and his wife, Mary Lou, opened a muzzle loading shop and sporting goods store in Houston, Texas, known as “Bigfoot.” Around this time, he ordered plans for a Hawken rifle from a museum and built his first replica from scratch. By 1984 Mike had bought out Allen Firearms. Seeking to diversify their stock, Mike began selling replica Old-West firearms, starting with percussion replicas, but soon included cartridge firearms. His Cimarron Firearms Co. is considered one of the most important Old West firearms replica manufacturers and dealers in the U.S and beyond. The rest is history!

 

My favorite Old West town in the world is Cimarron, New Mexico. Back in the ’70s, my wife, Mary Lou, and I visited the area annually.

I love history because I lived through much of it. I was born five days after D-Day. When I was a child, our history was recent. My parents were born near the end of Western expansion, so the tales were fresh. All my family were gun owners and hunters, so I was familiar with all the guns of the day, including family guns from the 1700s. My grandfolks were involved in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans, the War for Texas Independence, the war in 1860 against Northern Aggression, World War II. My sixth great grandfather, William Prather, a former colonel under Jackson, rounded up and armed locals in Southeast Texas and defeated the Fredonian army in 1838. I am not certain of the date.

I learned the most about history from my family.

For my money, the best firearms ever are the Winchester line of firearms beginning with the original Henry rifle when Oliver owned the New Haven Arms Company. The line starts with the1866, and includes1873, 1886, 1887, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1895, 1897, Model 71, Model 61, Model 70.

I wish I had kept that model 1886 50EX with factory case colored frame that I had to sell long ago, along with other great guns, to expand my company.

The best Western is Monte Walsh (1970) starring Lee Marvin as Monte and Jack Palance as Chet Rollins. Jeanne Moreau played Monte’s gorgeous sporting lady friend. The movie was outfitted correctly. It was set in Wyoming following a true event in history, a great blizzard. Mama Cass sings the theme song. Back then I thought that was nuts! Now I see that it was genius.

My hero in history is Gen. George S. Patton, U.S. Army, 1885-1945, the greatest warrior of the Greatest Generation.

The best town in the West that lives up to being Western is Cody, Wyoming.

My essential for a road trip is a good road map on paper. I like to see the surroundings. Printed maps are great teachers. GPS will get you there, but you won’t see how this country is connected.

The best Old West firearm ever made was the Peacemaker by Colt. It remains the most popular today.

The most useful Old West firearm ever made was the 1873 Winchester carbine or rifle. Typical shooters in those days were better than the best few of today. My grandfather was one of them. Their eyes when young were unbelievable, and accuracy came naturally. No practice required. A ’73 rifle could be used to defend against a grizzly when you could hit him in the eye while running.

If I could go back in time to repair history, I would arrange a cease-fire, followed by negotiations before the Battle of Gettysburg.

The most important Old West invention ever was toilet paper. It was after 1950 before I used it. It was amazing how long Sears and Roebuck catalogs would last.

The best way to explore history is to read then travel.

History has taught me how a person should and should not live their life; the importance of truth, the evil in lies; that there is no higher gift from our Creator than the gift of life; and how to make a living doing something I enjoy thoroughly.