Dick has collected Springfield rifles since 1970. He began by specializing in the Allin 'trapdoor' series, but gradually expanded the hunt into an attempt to acquire a specimen of every different long-arm produced at SA during the 1865-1915 time period. This greatly increased the diversity and interest of the collection, though a few pieces have, so far, managed to elude him.
A third-generation (on both sides) Californian, he has lived in or near the San Francisco Bay area since 1937, receiving his secondary education at the City College of San Francisco. His working life was spent in the construction industry, retiring in 2001 as senior project manager for a leading manufacturer of special-purpose (sound-retardant, bullet-proof, and blast-resistant) doors. He and his wife presently own and operate an antique store.
He is a Life Member of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, and a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association.
He began his writing project in 1992, by accepting a challenge from Joseph Poyer and Craig Reisch, of North Cape Publications, to write a book which would cover the scarce and rare models omitted from their basic work on the subject. Over 25 years, the manuscript (in constant flux due to the acquisition of more information and new specimens) grew to a size which would necessitate splitting it into two volumes, encompassing in total just over fifty related arms.
The ‘first half’ of the project, entitled 'The .58 and .50 Caliber Rifles and Carbines of Springfield Armory, 1865-1872' was published by North Cape in 2006. 'More .45-70 Springfields 1873-1893, the Uncommon, the Scarce and the Rare' (released 8-21-2017) completes the work.
The author’s ancestors arrived in America in 1635, while his collateral lines extend to the 'Mayflower'. Several members have served in the military over the years, beginning with the French & Indian Wars. One, Abner Hosmer, 19, of Acton MA was one of the two patriots (the other being his captain, Isaac Davis) who were killed in the skirmish at the Old North Bridge in Concord MA, on 19 April 1775, the first day of the Revolutionary War. Their names appears on the obelisk at one end of the bridge, while the famous bronze 'Minuteman' statue by Daniel Chester French stands at the other.
In addition to their military service, his family also had a very long association with the Springfield Armory. At least eight cousins were employed there - with, at one point, three generations working side-by-side. According to a 1968 article in 'Gun Report' magazine, written by Major Christopher Dvarecka, Springfield’s last historian, there was at least one Hosmer on the Armory payroll from 1809 to 1915. That will stand forever as the record for length of service (106 years) by one family at Springfield.
