Specter 1882
SPECTER 1882. (See also, SHOTGUN, SPECTER ARMS CO.) The Specter was the very first bottom-loading, pump- action shotgun. It was named not for its stealth, as would be a misnomer, but for the man who invented it. Marlin Specter was a successful engineer and inventor. To his name are accredited the inventions of the first automatic lathe, an innovative sewing machine, and a steam-powered carriage. However, his passion always lay in firearms, having learned the trade while working for Caldwell. His success with repeating rifles led him to create the Specter Repeating Rifle Co., which then became the Specter Arms Company in 1882, producer of the Specter shotgun.
The Specter 1882 was a very popular shotgun and was manufactured from 1882 to 1890. It uses a slide mechanism that loads shells from a tube-shaped magazine. The pump removes a shell from the magazine and inserts it into the chamber. Empty shells are ejected from the top of the receiver. However, it is difficult to reload while cartridges remain in the magazine - ideally all five shots must be spent before reloading. Because the barrel has no rifling, its accuracy is sub-par, its range medium, and its recoil strong
Journal of William Salter
Severe water damage, reconstructed by archivist
Unlined paper, 3x5 in.
2/10
Must be June still. Near July. Don't know the date. Been in this cabin for a couple of weeks now at least. Lose track of time easy. When did I leave the asylum? Made the mistake of reading more of Huff's papers.
Should have burned them. The nightmares come during the daytime now. Nightmares about what I've read. Nightmares about what I've seen. About whatever it was Huff injected me with. I found my own file, and I barely recognize the man they describe: dysphoric mood, aggression, grandiose behavior, violent, and they even purport to know the nature of my familial relationships!
So many lies. If they knew the first thing of my family, they would be afraid, afraid that Charlie heard I was held. I feel sad to think of all the lies, lined up so neatly in the doctors reports. What they would have done to me if I hadn't run?
Yes, I admit there have been episodes. I regret the yelling and carrying on that got me taken in, but it doesn't make me wrong or violent or crazy. Beef wilted malt worms! I am heir to a FORTUNE! I am assembling an army to defeat the forces of DARKNESS! What do these doctors know about it? Angry again. That anger-heat rises to my face same way as drink. Walking should set me right. Then it's back to work. Focus, Salter, FOCUS. Ws
Journal of William Salter
Severe water damage, reconstructed by archivist
Unlined paper, 3x5 in.
3/10
Mr. Trevors has refused to sell me ammunition on credit! He is infuriating, but no dullard, and I will admit he was correct - I had no intention of returning to pay my bill. But I know how to earn money quickly, and in my desperate state I fell back on what I know. What matter if heaven or hell awaits me? The gates of hell open into this world now, and vomit forth their grisly ilk be we sinners or saints.
But I appear to have offended Trevors greatly in both my appearance and the passion of my response, and even when I returned with the proper funds he turned me away. Perhaps he suspected my sudden change of fortune was not wholly honorable. Perhaps he is an elf-skinned pignut. I suppose only his wife will ever know.
With no further recourse, I used the last of my funds to place an order with Roebuck for the necessary ammunition. This will delay my progress, but I have mastered the assembly of the Specter, and with nothing to do but wait, my mind begins to wander. I dream of bullets penetrating flesh, but in these daydreams it is not a creature I hunt, but Philip Huff. ws
