Nosler Originals

by
posted on February 8, 2016
nosler_originals.jpg

One doesn’t often get to witness history turning full circle, but that’s exactly what I saw during last week’s Safari Club International convention in Las Vegas, Nev., when a fellow stopped by the Nosler booth with a very special discovery. Company CEO John R. Nosler was on hand, and instantly broke out in a big smile when he saw the visitor’s small pasteboard box bearing a red label. “These are from the original run,” Nosler told those who gathered round. “From 1948, the first year in production.”

The label read, “Nosler Partition Jacket Bullets” and offered a cutaway illustration of the famed dual-core projectile that started the controlled-expansion wave that would change big-game ballistics. “My grandfather (the late John A. Nosler) hand-turned each one of these on a lathe, and my grandmother would have packed this box and put the label on.”

“We only have two of these red-label boxes in our collection,” added Nosler. “They’re very rare.”

I think everyone present felt a kind of electricity in the moment. Obviously it meant more to the present-day Mr. Nosler, who carries on the family business and still makes lots of the signature Partition bullets that were developed before he was born. The rest of us, however, were more than simply detached onlookers, since (I’m willing to bet) we all have Nosler Partition memories of our own. Folks who aren’t hunters may not understand how a small plug of jacketed lead could possibly trigger such nostalgia, and the best explanation I can offer is that it’s more about who we are than what we do.

Latest

Draper Shooting S20 Hunter
Draper Shooting S20 Hunter

#SundayGunday: Sako S20 Hunter

Get a closer look at the Sako S20 Hunter, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.

Local Legends: Why Butch and Harold Still Prowl the Big Woods

The experience of two Vermont hunters shows it’s never too late to find a new hunting partner.

Non-Toxic Shot Roundup

Contributor Mike Roux discusses the ins and outs of non-toxic shot with his audience.

First Look: Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE Handheld GPS Units

Whether you want a high-tech hunting device that’s loaded with sophisticated features or simply need an easy-to-use GPS to avoid getting lost in the woods, Garmin’s new handhelds have you covered.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Henry Repeating Arms has announced a donation of $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as part of its $1 million silver anniversary pledge and the company’s commitment to safeguarding America’s outdoors and hunting traditions.

Hardware: CVA Cascade XT

The new XT (X-Treme) is CVA’s precision-oriented rifle in the company’s popular Cascade rifle series, and boasts several features that make it an ideal multipurpose hunting rifle. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.