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http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/012007/01202007/252182
By CATHY DYSON
E.T. Bullock was checking out the guns at Gander Mountain last week when one caught his eye.
The Spotsylvania County man saw a rifle, just like the one his father and grandfather owned. He picked it up and looked down the barrel. Then, he ran his fingers over two small notches carved into the stock.
Bullock's father always marked his guns so he could tell them from those of other hunters. The nicks also signified how many generations had owned it.
"It gave me chills when I saw it," Bullock said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, that is my Daddy's rifle.'"
Bullock also recognized a chip near the metal and a scraped-up screw by the trigger--even though he hadn't seen the gun for more than a decade.
Twelve years ago, the rifle was on loan to Bullock's son, when someone broke into his home and stole all his guns, hunting knives and a boat.
The Bullocks didn't have serial numbers, so all they could do was describe the items to the police.
For a while, the elder Bullock, who's 62, searched gun shops and pawn stores.
He eventually gave up hope he'd ever hunt another squirrel, rabbit or raccoon with the J.C. Higgins .22-caliber automatic.
The rifle was part of Bullock's childhood. His father, Jim, and grandfather, Frank Allan, taught him how to shoot, and he first hunted with the rifle when he was about 11.
His family lived in Falmouth then--his aunt and uncle ran the old White Diner--and the Bullocks ate whatever they killed.
"We lived off the game then," Bullock said. "Everybody did."
Bullock's grandfather bought the rifle at least 70 years ago from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store on Caroline Street.
The rifles were mass-produced, as many weapons are, said Steve Dominick, manager at Gander Mountain.
"There were probably more than 10,000 of those made," he said.
Gander Mountain bought the gun a year ago from a local resident, the manager said. He couldn't disclose any more information, but planned to contact the company's legal department.
"Very seldom do we get a stolen gun sold here," he said.
Bullock is just glad to have the heirloom back. Gander Mountain knocked $20 off the price and sold it to Bullock for $140.
He'll eventually give the rifle to his son, after he heeds his father's advice.
"He said, 'Before you pass away, you put your mark on it. That way, they'll know how many generations it's been in this family,'" Bullock said.
To reach CATHY DYSON: 540/374-5425
Email: [email protected]
By CATHY DYSON
E.T. Bullock was checking out the guns at Gander Mountain last week when one caught his eye.
The Spotsylvania County man saw a rifle, just like the one his father and grandfather owned. He picked it up and looked down the barrel. Then, he ran his fingers over two small notches carved into the stock.
Bullock's father always marked his guns so he could tell them from those of other hunters. The nicks also signified how many generations had owned it.
"It gave me chills when I saw it," Bullock said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, that is my Daddy's rifle.'"
Bullock also recognized a chip near the metal and a scraped-up screw by the trigger--even though he hadn't seen the gun for more than a decade.
Twelve years ago, the rifle was on loan to Bullock's son, when someone broke into his home and stole all his guns, hunting knives and a boat.
The Bullocks didn't have serial numbers, so all they could do was describe the items to the police.
For a while, the elder Bullock, who's 62, searched gun shops and pawn stores.
He eventually gave up hope he'd ever hunt another squirrel, rabbit or raccoon with the J.C. Higgins .22-caliber automatic.
The rifle was part of Bullock's childhood. His father, Jim, and grandfather, Frank Allan, taught him how to shoot, and he first hunted with the rifle when he was about 11.
His family lived in Falmouth then--his aunt and uncle ran the old White Diner--and the Bullocks ate whatever they killed.
"We lived off the game then," Bullock said. "Everybody did."
Bullock's grandfather bought the rifle at least 70 years ago from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store on Caroline Street.
The rifles were mass-produced, as many weapons are, said Steve Dominick, manager at Gander Mountain.
"There were probably more than 10,000 of those made," he said.
Gander Mountain bought the gun a year ago from a local resident, the manager said. He couldn't disclose any more information, but planned to contact the company's legal department.
"Very seldom do we get a stolen gun sold here," he said.
Bullock is just glad to have the heirloom back. Gander Mountain knocked $20 off the price and sold it to Bullock for $140.
He'll eventually give the rifle to his son, after he heeds his father's advice.
"He said, 'Before you pass away, you put your mark on it. That way, they'll know how many generations it's been in this family,'" Bullock said.
To reach CATHY DYSON: 540/374-5425
Email: [email protected]
