As a history buff and a shooter, I have long wished to read a definitive history of the Modern Technique as it started, evolved, and emerged from the activities of the Bear Valley Gunslingers under the direction of Cooper. To my knowledge, no one has undertaken to write such a work, and those best in position to do so have pretty much passed on. This is unsatisfactory, and from time to time my curiosity continues to trouble me on this topic.

A few years ago on a visit to Big Bear, the kind ladies who run the local newspaper allowed me to go through their archives to search for any old articles which might make mention of the Leatherslap and related activities. To my delight, I discovered an article announcing the first Leatherslap in 1956, which included a layout of the safety rules that were to be followed.

The article reads —



“Leather Slapping Contest Rules Told

“An event unique to Bear Valley and included in the Old Miners Days celebration this year for the first time, is the quick-draw pistol shoot known as a Leather Slapping Contest, which will be held at Snow Summit on Saturday afternoon, August 4.

“The shoot is being supervised by Jeff Cooper of Los Angeles, retired Marine lieutenant colonel, who has staged events of this kind many times in the past. Entries are being taken at Snow Summit where the contest will be held at 4:00 p.m. on August 4.

“Entrants are required to list the make, model and caliber of their weapon, together with barrel length, type of holster, and whether right or left handed. Entry fee is $2.00 for those who register in advance. $3.00 for those who enter at the last minute.

“Worthwhile awards ranging from a first prize of $100.00, second prize of $30.00, third and fourth prizes (losers in the semi-finals) of $10.00 each, will be given in the event, as will Old Miners trophies. Winner of the shoot will also be the honorary Old Miners Day judge.”

Big Bear Lake Limelight News & The Mountaineer, July 27, 1956, p.2.



What stands out to me was the reassurance provided that Cooper had “staged events of this kind many times in the past.” I remain curious as to what this might be referring. I have read Cooper mentioning conducting man-on-man rifle contests on steel targets while in the Marines. He also audited the FBI program in ’46 or ’47 with its man-on-man FBI Duel, and worked a lot with Howie Taft on speed with 1911s. But “staged events” implies something formal, and I wonder if he did some preliminary pistol stuff elsewhere that was glossed over in his various recountings of the Big Bear years. Perhaps it had something to do with the training he provided in Southeast Asia while in the CIA during the Korean War years, which he would never talk about.

The announced safety rules are pretty thorough and quite familiar in principle to those followed by today’s action shooting sports. Note particularly that they had an arrangement for the Sheriff to deal with any inebriated old-timers who might show up as non-entry observers of the Leatherslap and might be inspired to start spinning their Peacemakers around or among the crowd.



“Safety Regulations

“Stringent safety regulations govern the conduct of the contest, which required authorization from Sheriff Frank Bland prior to scheduling the event on the Old Miners Day program.

“The following rules will be carefully enforced, and any violation by a contestant may result in immediate disqualification, while violation on the part of anyone present may result in his arrest on grounds of clear and present danger.

“1. No firearm will be loaded except after the contestant’s name is called and he has reported to the loading table.

“2. All firearms will remain in case or holster AT ALL TIMES, except when being loaded at the loading table, inspected for safety by a judge, or during actual firing. Firearms may not be cleaned, examined or otherwise handled during the contest.

“3. During a bout, the pistol must be holstered, pointed at the target, or in direct movement between the two previous conditions. It may not be spun, flipped, or otherwise brandished. It must be inspected for safety by a judge after each firing, while it remains pointed at the target.

“4. The shooter must under no circumstances turn his head away from the direction of the target, or turn his body, or move his feet during the bout. A bout extends from the time the director calls “‘All ready on the firing line!’ until he calls ‘Cease firing, unload!’

“5. During loading and unloading, muzzles must be kept pointed at the target backstop.

“6. No one but the bout director, the two line judges, and the two active contestants, may enter the roped-off firing area. All others must remain in rear of the base line joining the stations of the two line judges.

“Contest Rules

“1. Contestants will be paired as in a tennis match, with ‘byes’ as necessary for the opening round.

“2. A bout will consist of all firings necessary to establish three clear wins by one contestant over another.

“3. The target is a standard military silhouette. The range is seven (7) yards. Each contestant will fire at the target opposite his firing point. If he hits his opponent’s target, by mistake or otherwise, the hit will count for his opponent.

“4. Contestants will be placed, insofar as possible, so that pistols are worn on the side away from opponents. A line judge will stand one pace behind and one foot to one side of each contestant. The bout director will stand three places tot he rear and directly between the line judges.

“5. To commence a bout, two contestants will be called to the firing line. Each contestant will face his target and place his ammunition on the loading table at his side.

“6. The director will command ‘Load,’ and each contestant will load his own weapon, making sure it points down the range during the operation. When each pistol is loaded, each contestant will keep it pointed down range until the line judge is satisfied that it is loaded and safe. The line judge will then tap the shoulder of the contestant, who will holster his weapon and remove both hands at least 10 inches from it.

“7. The director will then ask ‘Ready on the right?’ [T]he right hand contestant will answer ‘Ready!’ The director will ask “Ready on the left?’ The left hand contestant will answer ‘Ready!’ The director will command “All ready on the firing line!’ And at an indefinite point thereafter will blow a short blast on a whistle. At the sound of the whistle each contestant will attempt to hit his target before his opponent can.

“8. Each line judge will observe his contestant’s target intently and raise his hand as he observes a hit. The director will raise his arm on the side from which the first shot is heard.

“9. Normally a firing will consist of only one shot from each contestant, but if both initial shots miss, a contestant is at liberty to fire again until he does hit. As soon as either line judge or the director, observes a hit, the director will blow a whistle. No shots fired after the whistle will count.

“10. If hits are so close that there is doubt about priority, the firing will be repeated. If three such ties occur in succession, the range will be increased to ten yards. Three ties at ten will open the range to fifteen.

“11. At the conclusion of a bout, the director will call ‘Cease firing, unload!’ Contestants will unload their weapons, taking care that muzzles are kept pointed down range, line judges will examine each pistol to verify this, and contestants will then holster their weapons and leave the firing line.”

Big Bear Lake Limelight News & The Mountaineer, July 27, 1956, p.2.