Gunsmuggler: Gunsmoke (January 30, 1954)

“Gunsmuggler” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast January 30, 1954. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Major Evans from Fort Dodge arrives in Dodge City reporting that Pawnee Indians have been raiding settlements and are armed with rifles he believes are being smuggled from town. Marshal Dillon investigates the only rifle merchant in Dodge, Mr. Jonas, but finds no evidence of illegal sales. When the Major reports a brutal raid on a ranch at Crooked Creek that has killed a family, Dillon agrees to help track down the source of the weapons.

Dodge City and Fort Dodge, Kansas in 1954; a burned-out ranch at Crooked Creek.

Characters: Matt Dillon, Kitty Russell, Chester, Major Evans, Mr. Jonas, Doc

Listen for: The mystery of who is smuggling rifles to the Pawnee Indians and why; Doc's examination of the victims at the ranch fire.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.