This Week in Firearms History:

August 20: In 1741, Alaska is 1st sighted by a European, Vitus Bering; in 1866 President Andrew Johnson officially proclaims the Civil War to be over; in 1932 Ed McGivern sets a World record by shooting 12 shots from 2 revolvers in 2 seconds.

August 21: In 1861 Eliphalet Remington dies; in 1863 Lawrence Kansas Massacre (Quantrill's Raid), 150 unarmed men and boys are killed by confederates; in 1995 The Ruby Ridge Siege begins; in 2009 Inglorious Basterds is released in theaters.

August 22: In 1485, Battle of Bosworth Field, King Richard III is killed in battle, the last English Monarch to die in battle; in 1851 Robert Adams is granted a patent for the double action revolver; in 1934 General H. Norman Schwartzkopf is born

August 23: In 1305 William Wallace is executed; in 1942 the last calvary charge in history as the Italian Savoia Cavalleria charge the Soviet Army.

August 24: In 410 AD Rome is sacked by the Visigoths; in 1814 the British Army captures Washington DC and burn the White House down; in 1896 Bill Doolin, leader of the Wild Bunch is killed by US Marshal Heck Thomas.

August 25: In 1718 French colonists arrive in Louisiana and found New Orleans; in 1852 gun maker and inventor of the milling machine, Simeon North dies; in 1944 Paris is liberated after 4 years of NAZI occupation.

August 26: In 1945 Japanese diplomats board the USS Missouri to receive instructions for the formal surrender.

Gun of the Week: Ruger PC 9

The Ruger PC-9 is a pistol caliber carbine from Ruger that was re-introduced a few years ago.

The original PC-9 & PC-4 looked like a larger version of the 10/22 rifle. When in introduced in 1996, the PC stood for "Police Carbine" as law enforcement was its intended customer base. The carbines, in 9mm and .40 S&W, accepted the magazines from Ruger's P series pistols (P85, P89, P91), the gun was discontinued in 2007.

Ten years later a redesigned version emerged from Southport with new magazine compatibility and take-down function along with threaded barrels and stock/forearm options.

The new Pistol Caliber Carbine takes both Ruger SR9 magazines and Glock 17/18/19 magazines.

Cartridge of the Week: .410 Shotshell

The .410 shotshell is only shot shell that uses its bore diameter rather than a gauge (measurement of how many lead balls that fit the bore that weigh 1 pound).

The .410 was designed in England by Eley Brothers in 1857 as a "garden gun" for dispatching critters.

The .410 has a similar rim diameter to the 45 Colt and is often chambered in guns that can fire both rounds.

Brass cases are available or can be made using 444 Marlin brass (which is an elongated 44 Magnum).

The cartridge was most often loaded in single or side by side shotguns, but in recent years has been loaded in pump shotguns as well as pistols and revolvers.

Gun Quote of the Week: