Firearms and the Family

[colorado_handgunner]

I pulled out my old (literally) Remington 1100 shotgun tonight because I happened to realize it was in need of oiling and a wipe down.

Opening up the case and examining the gun, I saw the small specks of rust in the blueing, the scratches on the stock, and the wearing on the tip of the barrel. Some people would say I should take it to a gunsmith to be re-blued and refinished, but to me, each of those marks means something.

You see, this was my great grandfather's gun, which was passed down to my grandfather, and then to me. While neither of them are with us any longer, the gun still gives me a tie back to them.

I imagine the rust coming from when they took it out to the lake to go duck hunting, the scratch on the stock maybe from the antler of the buck they took down with it, and the wearing on the end of the barrel showing a favorite firearm chosen time and time again for our sport.

It is comforting how we can share our love and sporting use of firearms with our families down through the generations. A well maintained firearm will easily outlast us, and even our children, and is something we can take pride in passing through the generations.

With the current state of economic and political affairs, it seems that firearms are being held up as simply tools to protect oneself. Let us not forget the more practical use, the sharing of a passion and connection with those we love.

 

[bang_bang]

Couldn't be said better.

My grandfather has a small collection of around 8 or 9 firearms. He was the one that introduced me into hunting, fishing, and respecting outdoors.

The other day, while out with my dad, brother, and grandfather doing some yard work, he looked over at me and said "You're going to get all of my guns, except for 2."

I asked him "Which 2?" in which he replied "Well, your uncle Gary wants the old 12 gauge (kicks like a mule anyways) and your dad is going to get (my great-grandfather's) the chrome 32." Knowing that dad is getting the .32 gives me more comfort. That gun protected my great-grandfather for many of years, and he even chased some burglars down the street in his truck, shooting out the window with that pistol. Dad will hold on to it for a while, but then just give it to me to add to the rest.

He could give all of his guns away to other family members, I just want the old Sears & Roebuck 30-30 that he always grabbed to go hunting. It's not fancy or pretty, but he put many bucks down with that rifle. I doubt I'll ever shoot it, unless my kids or grandkids are interested in hunting. That will be their rifle to use, and I'll only give it away when I'm dead.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Well said...

I copied and pasted it here ( http://www.1911auto.org/forum/showthread.php?p=38505#post38505 ) because I thought it should be read by as many people as possible...hope you don't mind. ( I gave you the credit for writing it...I wouldn't dare steal such a well written opinion )

 

[ghoster]

i have several guns that have been handed down through the generations.
most are not imedate family as dad is still with us and those are on his wall.

i grew up on a dairy farm and me and my brother were loaned to many of the local farmers when there was a illnes or accident that laid up one of the farmers. it was the way it was done in grandpa's day.
we never thought twice about it we just did our chores and headded for whoevers place needed us and did what had to be done.

well as that generation started to leave us i would be told that old mrs. so and so needed somthing done and wanted me to come over.

i would get there and do some small chore and when we would sit down to eat ( you were always fed--not paid ) she would reminess and say somthing like-- father wanted you boys to have his guns.

i cant fully explaine the pride i feel when i look at and handle those guns.
i know their story and how important they were to the owners. most of them i had used at one time or another as you would pop in to see him and find out what needed done and would be told to grab the rifle cuse you might see some varments out there. or we would show up to hunt and they would say well help me finish up here and i'll go with ya. learned alot about hunting that way.

my boys know all the stories about those guns, grandpas guns and my guns.
i can see the stories in their eyes when we clean them and put em up on the walls. i tell more stories when we go to the farm to hunt and i am sure they will remember and tell their boys after im gone too.

i wouldn't dream of doing any thing to them other than clean and oil, i even have one that got run over with a tractor and he just used bailing wire to hold the stock together. it was like that for years.
it has a place of honor on my wall with all the others, probly one with the most stories as that old guy was a hoot. and a damn good shot.