Early Red Heads

[Pressman]

Playing with some lighting ideas and other camera settings to ended up with these. Do you have a preference that you like better?

Early tri-color Red Head from the early 1940's, this one is marked CC Johnson. It is assumed the Narramore sold the press to CC Johnson around 1942 when Narramore was recalled to active duty.

229674

229675

[rancher1913]

bottom one makes press stand out better, less glare.

[StratsMan]

The brightness of the light on the press in the first pic helps bring out the details in the press, but the background is too bright. I don't like white backgrounds for dark subjects in the foreground. Press illumination of the first plus darker background similar to the second should give best detail of the subject.

[Minerat]

The washed out background in picture 1 accentuates the press, by removing the shadows. If you went with a pastel background like a very light blue it might soften it.

[Pressman]

At some point after the end of the war Mr. Johnson began painting the presses all black while retaining the red Turret. He also began stamping the top of the post with the sequential number of production along with the year.
The links may be square on the ends or round, CC Johnson always appears and some had a city name.


229809

[LUBEDUDE]

Hmmm, now I’ll have to have a close look at mine. :)

[Green Frog]

The brightness of the light on the press in the first pic helps bring out the details in the press, but the background is too bright. I don't like white backgrounds for dark subjects in the foreground. Press illumination of the first plus darker background similar to the second should give best detail of the subject.

^^What he said^^ The brighter highlights on the press in the first picture let those details show, but adding the contrast of a slightly darker background as seen in the second picture is a lot easier on the eyes. Either way, I'd be pleased if most of my pictures came out as well as either of those.

My Red Head press was purchased at an OGCA show many years ago and is dedicated to loading 40-40 Maynard ammo. I had to custom make a shell holder for that big rim on the (1873) Maynard, but that, along with a set of Lyman 40-65 TruLine Jr dies, made that old work horse useful once again. :mrgreen: I met Charley's grandson and he gave me a second turret head for my press, but I've never even put it on the press. :???:

Froggie

[Pressman]

Mr. Frog person Sir, you have met the grandson? Wow, you really can walk on water.
I would love to have a sit down one on one with him. He has a lot of knowledge about his grandfather.

[clarksvillejoe]

My dad and Mr. Johnson were friends, I met him when I was about 10 years old. Went to his shop and home several times. Still have a few of his guns as well as a Red Head press.

[Bent Ramrod]

Ken,

Jerry Johnson posts on the ASSRA website, and is available for inquiries re the details of C. C. Johnson rifles. Send him the serial number and caliber and if the card is still in the file, he will give whatever data he has on it. (Unfortunately, mine wasn’t.) He might be amenable to an interview; send him a PM and see what he says.

[Markopolo]

i like the top one.. but prolly an old eye issue. brighter is better for my detail orientated eyes.

[pworley1]

I like the bottom better.

[dsh1106]

Ken
I have an excel workbook tracking serial #'s and mfg dates on these presses, Brue and I have been tracking back and forth for the last 5 years.

Let me know if you need a copy.

Scott

[Half Dog]

I need brightness. Perhaps the age of the intended audience will dictate.