Distinctly Montana Magazine

42 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 3 F r the show's finale, TOM PREPARED HIS SET FOR A FINAL DEMONSTRATION, ONE WHICH ALL OF US WERE READY FOR: HIS FAMOUS MARKSMANSHIP DRAWING. One exhibition shot caused a gasp from us in the crowd. He had placed a Buck hunting knife on a backboard with the blade facing out. On each side of the knife was a balloon. He took aim and fired. Both balloons burst. I saw the blade of the knife actually move. Did he split that small bullet on the knife blade? Well, I believed it back then, and now that I am Tom's age I still do! For the show's finale, Tom prepared his set for a final demonstration, one which all of us were ready for: his fa- mous marksmanship drawing. This time it was of a Native American chieftain with a full headdress. Tom ex- plained exactly what he was going to do, and that he had placed four or five copies behind the original. After his speech he took a seat on that inverted wooden Remington cartridge box. He then placed the oxygen mask on his face, took a few deep breaths, then be- gan to shoot. He took his time and meticulously drew out the portrait with his rifle shots. Then he stood up, and displayed his drawing and thanked everyone for their kind support. The crowd applauded. Afterwards he began to clean up the area by dismantling his display equip- ment. The crowd filtered away; my wife and I stayed and offered our help. He graciously accepted our offer, and we carried his tools of the trade to an area of the parking lot where his son was to meet him. Tom asked me if we would mind watching his two rifles while he went inside the store for a quick burger and soda, and as he stood up he fell to- ward the plate glass window. I reached out and grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the window. He looked startled and then smiled and said, "Thanks, I almost crashed and burned." I replied, "Air Force, right?" "Yep!" he replied. Then he went in- side the store. He had a gun case with his trademark Remington Nylon 66 rifles lying side by side. They are now in the Cody, Wyo- ming Buffalo Bill Museum. Tom came back out, and his son had just pulled up with his pickup truck that had "1SHOT" on the license plate. We helped his son load the equipment into the back of the truck. As we finished, Tom came over. We shook hands again and said goodbye, then he got into the passenger side of the truck. He waved as the truck left the parking lot. Two weeks later, Tom Frye was gone. He was only 66 years old. So, I finally got to see Tom Frye, shootist, not knowing that it was to be his last marksmanship exhibition. It was an honor knowing this gentle man for the short time that I had with him. He was quite a showman and as always a gentleman. After all, he was the Montana Marks- man!

• Cover