1KPerDay
Member
I'm sure a couple of these have got some history... unfortunately I don't know it. Fun to imagine, though. (No, the Walker, Paterson, and Dragoon aren't original)
Own any guns that have "a history"?
- Thread starter woolfam
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I'm sure a couple of these have got some history... unfortunately I don't know it. Fun to imagine, though. (No, the Walker, Paterson, and Dragoon aren't original)
bumm
Member
A wonderful story, well told, armored-man!
I have a number of very old guns and a few milsurps I picked from my late father's collection. I wish there were some way to find the stories, but there just isn't. By far the LEAST valuable gun in my safe though, is his Remington Model 33 bolt action .22. He got it as a Nebraska farmboy living with his widowed mother during the dust bowl years and the depression. While to most people, the stories that go with it wouldn't be particulary impressive, to ME, they're very special.
Marty
I have a number of very old guns and a few milsurps I picked from my late father's collection. I wish there were some way to find the stories, but there just isn't. By far the LEAST valuable gun in my safe though, is his Remington Model 33 bolt action .22. He got it as a Nebraska farmboy living with his widowed mother during the dust bowl years and the depression. While to most people, the stories that go with it wouldn't be particulary impressive, to ME, they're very special.
Marty
During the late 1960s and early 1970s I read everything I could by Skeeter Skelton, Elmer Keith and Jeff Cooper. Cooper’s influence caused me yearn for a 1911 Colt.
So in February of 1973, two months before my 18th birthday, I talked my mother into signing the forms to purchase a brand new Series ’70 Government Model Colt. I paid $135 for it. The local Woolworths sold guns and ammo back then (wish I still had the 1903 Springfield they sold me for $69) and they had surplus .45 ACP ammo at 5 cents per round loose in a jar. I was working for $1.65 per hour and traded my paycheck for ammo.
I shot that gun a lot. Thousands of rounds. I started reloading and that gun was why.
In 1975 I bought a set of ivory stocks. Paid $32.50 and screamed like a banshee. I also had a local smith swap on the S&W sights because that’s what the guys in the magazines were doing.
I started working in a 7-11 store the day after my 16th birthday (family friend owned it). One night a guy shoplifted two cases of beer. I chased him into the parking lot and found myself facing not only him but four of his friends, as well. Hmmm… 5 to 1 odds. Not good. So I pulled out the 1911 and cranked one off into the night sky. I know, I know, not supposed to do that… but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I still think it was a good idea as it had the desired effect. They hauled ass out of there like nobody’s business. The guy dropped the beer as he ran and they all beat feet down the street and disappeared into the darkness. Great fun. No, nobody in the neighborhood called the cops. Gunfire wasn’t that unusual around there.
In March of 1975, one month before my 20th birthday, I was working nights in the 7-11 store to pay for college (tuition was cheap back then). One night about 5 minutes before quitting time a man came in the store, pointed a .22 revolver in my face and demanded the cash and my wristwatch. I handed it over with my left hand as I filled my right hand with the Colt. It was stashed behind the register where it couldn’t be seen from in front of the counter. Not sure if I wanted to shoot him, I hesitated. Then I saw people approaching the door, unaware that they were walking into an armed robbery. The bandit’s face showed panic and I really thought he would shoot them or me or everybody in sight. So I shot him 4 times. He ran about 100 feet and collapsed.
The cops took the Colt for a few hours then returned it as it was a pretty clear case of self-defense.
In 1976 I was working as a bouncer in a sort of a tough bar. A lot of bikers (the type with club names on the backs of their vests) and assorted others came in and there was often trouble. One night a guy took a swing at me and just missed my chin as I leaned back to avoid the punch. I knocked him down with a straight-arm to the chest. He got up on one elbow and told me the next time he saw me I had better have a gun. So I pulled out the Colt and showed it to him. “I have mine,” I said. “Where’s yours?” He just groaned and sank back to the floor. Later, one of his friends came in with a message for me. He wanted to thank me for not killing him. No problem.
On another occasion two guys squared off with large knives. I stepped between them to break it up. I know, I know… bad idea. And it was. The three of us just stood there for a long, long time. Maybe 2-3 minutes which seemed like a long, long time, believe me. The two guys holding knives and me with my hand on the Colt tucked in my waistband. The standoff was ended when two cops walked in. The morons with the blades stashed them and tried to act casual but I ratted them out and the cops took them away. One knife guy’s buddy came over to complain, saying I could have given his friend a break and not alerted the police. I said I did give him a break as I didn’t kill him. As I said this I showed him the Colt. He blanched and left. Good riddance.
I was driving to work one night and I had the Colt in the glove box. I was dropping off a friend whose car was broken down and for some reason he opened the glove box door. Before I could say a word the fool grabbed the pistol and pulled the trigger. He fired two shots as the recoil of the first round caused him to pull the trigger a second time. One went through the windshield and the other through the roof. To this day I have no idea what possessed him to that. He never paid me for the damage, either.
Things were quiet for a while after that. Then in 1986 my house was burglarized and the Colt was stolen along with all my other guns. About 4 months later the cops called to say they had recovered it from a drug dealer. It was found in his car during a traffic stop. Of the 23 guns stolen 4 have been recovered to date. The last one was 17 years after the theft so I still have hope for the others.
This pistol is now semi-retired. I don’t shoot it much anymore.
Is this what you meant by “history?” I have other stories involving other guns but I don’t want to drone on any longer.
So in February of 1973, two months before my 18th birthday, I talked my mother into signing the forms to purchase a brand new Series ’70 Government Model Colt. I paid $135 for it. The local Woolworths sold guns and ammo back then (wish I still had the 1903 Springfield they sold me for $69) and they had surplus .45 ACP ammo at 5 cents per round loose in a jar. I was working for $1.65 per hour and traded my paycheck for ammo.
I shot that gun a lot. Thousands of rounds. I started reloading and that gun was why.
In 1975 I bought a set of ivory stocks. Paid $32.50 and screamed like a banshee. I also had a local smith swap on the S&W sights because that’s what the guys in the magazines were doing.
I started working in a 7-11 store the day after my 16th birthday (family friend owned it). One night a guy shoplifted two cases of beer. I chased him into the parking lot and found myself facing not only him but four of his friends, as well. Hmmm… 5 to 1 odds. Not good. So I pulled out the 1911 and cranked one off into the night sky. I know, I know, not supposed to do that… but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I still think it was a good idea as it had the desired effect. They hauled ass out of there like nobody’s business. The guy dropped the beer as he ran and they all beat feet down the street and disappeared into the darkness. Great fun. No, nobody in the neighborhood called the cops. Gunfire wasn’t that unusual around there.
In March of 1975, one month before my 20th birthday, I was working nights in the 7-11 store to pay for college (tuition was cheap back then). One night about 5 minutes before quitting time a man came in the store, pointed a .22 revolver in my face and demanded the cash and my wristwatch. I handed it over with my left hand as I filled my right hand with the Colt. It was stashed behind the register where it couldn’t be seen from in front of the counter. Not sure if I wanted to shoot him, I hesitated. Then I saw people approaching the door, unaware that they were walking into an armed robbery. The bandit’s face showed panic and I really thought he would shoot them or me or everybody in sight. So I shot him 4 times. He ran about 100 feet and collapsed.
The cops took the Colt for a few hours then returned it as it was a pretty clear case of self-defense.
In 1976 I was working as a bouncer in a sort of a tough bar. A lot of bikers (the type with club names on the backs of their vests) and assorted others came in and there was often trouble. One night a guy took a swing at me and just missed my chin as I leaned back to avoid the punch. I knocked him down with a straight-arm to the chest. He got up on one elbow and told me the next time he saw me I had better have a gun. So I pulled out the Colt and showed it to him. “I have mine,” I said. “Where’s yours?” He just groaned and sank back to the floor. Later, one of his friends came in with a message for me. He wanted to thank me for not killing him. No problem.
On another occasion two guys squared off with large knives. I stepped between them to break it up. I know, I know… bad idea. And it was. The three of us just stood there for a long, long time. Maybe 2-3 minutes which seemed like a long, long time, believe me. The two guys holding knives and me with my hand on the Colt tucked in my waistband. The standoff was ended when two cops walked in. The morons with the blades stashed them and tried to act casual but I ratted them out and the cops took them away. One knife guy’s buddy came over to complain, saying I could have given his friend a break and not alerted the police. I said I did give him a break as I didn’t kill him. As I said this I showed him the Colt. He blanched and left. Good riddance.
I was driving to work one night and I had the Colt in the glove box. I was dropping off a friend whose car was broken down and for some reason he opened the glove box door. Before I could say a word the fool grabbed the pistol and pulled the trigger. He fired two shots as the recoil of the first round caused him to pull the trigger a second time. One went through the windshield and the other through the roof. To this day I have no idea what possessed him to that. He never paid me for the damage, either.
Things were quiet for a while after that. Then in 1986 my house was burglarized and the Colt was stolen along with all my other guns. About 4 months later the cops called to say they had recovered it from a drug dealer. It was found in his car during a traffic stop. Of the 23 guns stolen 4 have been recovered to date. The last one was 17 years after the theft so I still have hope for the others.
This pistol is now semi-retired. I don’t shoot it much anymore.
Is this what you meant by “history?” I have other stories involving other guns but I don’t want to drone on any longer.
I purchased a BSA martini action in .22 hornet from an old Australian railroad worker who used to be a neighbor of mine. There is a Kangaroo stamped into the top of the receiver (Between the tipping block and the barrel) and to the right of the receiver it is stamped "1929 Commonwealth of Australia". Apparently it was used for Kangaroo control back in the day. Pretty cool find $200! He had no family to speak of so when he was moving to a retirement community, he offered it to me at that price and I could not resist.
Aaryq
Member
Yes. My great grandfather bought this .22 for my grandfather when he was young. My grandfather was killed in front of his house after a case of mistaken identity and my grandmother gave the gun to one of her sisters who gave it to one of her sons. About 15 years ago, on a family vacation to visit relatives, I found it in their house. Being properly raised around guns I almost kill myself flying down the stairs because Auntee has a gun in the closet and I want to see it. My dad and his cousin go upstairs and shows me how to clear it. Long story short, he eventually gives it to my dad. I don't own it yet, but my dad hinted that I might get it as a gift for my next birthday. When my oldest daughter's old enough to pick out her own gun, I'm going to present it to her and tell her where 1 branch of her her family tree came from. That will make it a gun that will be in the family for 5 generations.
bluetopper
Member
SaxonPig,
that's one for the ages......ought to be a sticky! Well written too.
that's one for the ages......ought to be a sticky! Well written too.
donttellthewife
Member
A couple years ago I got the bug to own a beltfed 1919a4 and bought a parts kit complete accept the right side plate. The firearm was once in the US arsenal until it was sent/leased to Israel. There it was re-arsenaled to accept the 7.62x51 round with metal links instead of the cloth belts. Fast forward to 2004 when I purchase a kit to build it into a semi auto. These kits had all the Israeli markings on them. In preperation for the big day I bought 1000 of ammo at Southern Ammo, mixed headstamp $100.00 ( those were the days ). Some of the ammo with Isreali headstamps had strange markings on the sides of the brass. It wasn't until I was hand loading the rounds into the links that I saw that I could line up the marks on the ammo exactly to the links. They felt right at home. It gave me the feeling that this firearm, the links and the ammo were all experiencing deja vu. Lucky for me, I am not a small country surounded be my sworn enemys
Red Mist Effect
Member
My small collection of old stuff as alot of family history
win 92 25\20 was used to get dinner for about twenty years
year model 1900 H&R 16gauge single shot
browning pump 22 that is the most awesome 22 i own have no idea how old it is though
win 92 25\20 was used to get dinner for about twenty years
year model 1900 H&R 16gauge single shot
browning pump 22 that is the most awesome 22 i own have no idea how old it is though
Tomcat47
Member
I have a Mauser .22 from the WW2 era that my great grandfather handed down. It has some of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. They have some extreme range, maybe used as a sniper rifle I suppose.
I remember him in his late 80's sniping crow out of the corn field. He could shoot!
I need to post some pics of this rifle here on THR to see if I can find some history...
I remember him in his late 80's sniping crow out of the corn field. He could shoot!
I need to post some pics of this rifle here on THR to see if I can find some history...
Steve N
Member
My father-in-law has a Type 99 he brought back from Okinawa. He was there for most of the battle, and stayed on thru the end of '44. He refuses to tell me, my wife, or anyone else the story behind the gun. It brings tears to his eyes. I'm trying to get him to write it down for my daughter. The rifle is complete with the sights and bayonet. It is missing the bolt cover. The stock has the "duffel cut" where he cut it in half to fit into his duffle bag. My wife made me swear to never shoot it, when I inherit it.
He had a samuri sword he took off of a dead Japanese major. He had to go live in the caves with the bodies and rats when the cyclone hit in Sept. 44. Someone on board ship stole it when he was shipping home because it was too long to fit inside his duffle bag.
He also has a 5-shot break-action .38 revolver. Apparently, my mother-in-laws uncle bought it to shoot his wife because she was running around. His brother (mother-in-laws father) took it away before he could shoot her. It is still in the original box. My father-in-law thinks it was fired a few times, but I don't think so. This would have been in the 1930's, I believe.
He had a samuri sword he took off of a dead Japanese major. He had to go live in the caves with the bodies and rats when the cyclone hit in Sept. 44. Someone on board ship stole it when he was shipping home because it was too long to fit inside his duffle bag.
He also has a 5-shot break-action .38 revolver. Apparently, my mother-in-laws uncle bought it to shoot his wife because she was running around. His brother (mother-in-laws father) took it away before he could shoot her. It is still in the original box. My father-in-law thinks it was fired a few times, but I don't think so. This would have been in the 1930's, I believe.
JonP
Member
A few....
My M1 carbine was slung over my dad's shoulder when he got out of the cab returning from Viet Nam:
My 1911 was my Dad's, too....
and this 1861 Navy was carried by my great-grandfather during the Civil War:
Then again, almost all of my guns were inherited from my Dad. They are his legacy, and I'm honored to carry it forward.
My M1 carbine was slung over my dad's shoulder when he got out of the cab returning from Viet Nam:
My 1911 was my Dad's, too....
and this 1861 Navy was carried by my great-grandfather during the Civil War:
Then again, almost all of my guns were inherited from my Dad. They are his legacy, and I'm honored to carry it forward.
Limeyfellow
Member
I guess the only one I can confirm is an Arisaki taken off Mount Suribachi by my wife's uncle. He was a forward observer in the Marine Corp and over the night he and a few others were ordered to the top to keep an eye on the Japanese with a big box of Grenades. In the morning there were no Grenades but plenty of rifles about so he picked up a Type 24 carbine with flipout bayonet. Its still in excellent condition after all these years. Theres a couple of others two and a few Japanese swords and flags. One day, one of the sword is supposed to come to me. Lucky me.
RocketMan
Member
I have an M1 Garand and an M1 Carbine. The Garand has a low six digit s/n, manufactured in Feb. 1942.
If only they could talk...
If only they could talk...
armoredman
Member
Thank you for the positive comments. My stepfather was never a big shooter, but he wasahappy man when he got that 10-8 so many years ago.
Here it is again, with a coffee cup that used to be his, on his old end table, now at my house, since he got rid of everything to move into assisted living.
Saxonpig, great story! Loved it, glad that old Colt was there for you every time.
Here it is again, with a coffee cup that used to be his, on his old end table, now at my house, since he got rid of everything to move into assisted living.
Saxonpig, great story! Loved it, glad that old Colt was there for you every time.
Yugoslavian SKS 59/66
Has damage to the bayonet, the barrel, and the gas tube in a nice straight line. Looks like it was bullet damage. The gas tube was even repaired with a stainless steel repair section that I have seen on at least four or five other Yugo SKS. And it has stock carvings.
Has damage to the bayonet, the barrel, and the gas tube in a nice straight line. Looks like it was bullet damage. The gas tube was even repaired with a stainless steel repair section that I have seen on at least four or five other Yugo SKS. And it has stock carvings.
Elza
Member
'43 Springfield Garand
'44 underwood carbine
'38(I think) 98k Mouser
P08 Lugar date unknown
God, if only they could talk!
'44 underwood carbine
'38(I think) 98k Mouser
P08 Lugar date unknown
God, if only they could talk!
1KPerDay
Member
WOW.
My grandfathers, then my fathers, 1903 Colt. Grandpa, who died before I was born, carried it everyday in his first job as a Cleveland bank guard. He never fired it in anger, but did hit an unruly customer across the face with the holster! Dad hadn't fired it until a few months ago when he gave it to me, and we ran through a couple boxes of .32 through it, along with Grandpa's other pistol, a 1913 Sauer. He got that one while guarding mail shipments on the Cleveland docks from a German sailor during the early 30s. Family lore has it that the sailor was a former destroyer commander in the German navy during WW 1, and took the pistol with him when he mustered out after the Armistice. It has no non-commercial markings, but it was produced during 1917.
My true favorite is my maternal Grandmother's ANCIENT Crossman air pistol. She used this little pump action wonder to decimate the squirrel population of Middletown, Ohio for close to 50 years. Any squirrel that even LOOKED like it was thinking about raiding her birdfeeders had a lifespan measured in mere seconds. She probably dropped a good 25-30 every week, and she NEVER missed. If you ever visit Middletown, and wonder why the squirrels there will never be persuaded to venture within a hundred feet of white-haired little old ladies....well, the word is "LEGACY".
My true favorite is my maternal Grandmother's ANCIENT Crossman air pistol. She used this little pump action wonder to decimate the squirrel population of Middletown, Ohio for close to 50 years. Any squirrel that even LOOKED like it was thinking about raiding her birdfeeders had a lifespan measured in mere seconds. She probably dropped a good 25-30 every week, and she NEVER missed. If you ever visit Middletown, and wonder why the squirrels there will never be persuaded to venture within a hundred feet of white-haired little old ladies....well, the word is "LEGACY".
1KPerDay
Member
Sweet! Give you a nickel for it!
I have a Swiss K31 with the soldier's tag in the butt plate, but never made contact. I have my grandfather's Steven's 311 double barrel 12gauge and his Remington Targetmaster 22, both probably purchased from Sears back in the '50s or '60s. I don't know their past history other than he used them for rabbit and bird hunting. My father killed a few deer with the shotgun. I have used the shotgun for Cowboy Action Shooting, so it has shot Indians, train robbers, low down dirty card cheaters. I have a couple of guns that the story starts with me. I have a Lyman's Plains pistol that my father and I built. I also have several muzzleloaders I am building, or going to build, from almost blank stock, with one to be given to my nephew when he gets a little older. Building muzzleloaders is like any other gun, I just can't stop at one. What doesn't get passed to my nephew will go to my kids when I have them. I also plan to give my father a couple.
Zundfolge
Member
I have my Great Grandfather's Colt Army Special in .32-20
When my Great Grandfather passed away, my grandmother was a young child so his guns went to his brother in law for safe keeping until my grandmother was an adult. My Great Grandfather's brother in law unfortunately used this gun to end his own life in 1945 so it spent some time in police custody and was forgotten by the family until several years later when the local PD were cleaning out their evidence lockers and they mailed the pistol to my great aunt. When she passed many years later her daughter ended up with the gun and when she married she happened to marry a gun nut, so the gun was put in his safe. He passed away a couple of years ago and my grandmother ran into her cousin at a wedding last year and they got to talking and someone brought up that I was a bit of a gun nut with a C&R so arrangements were made for the pistol to be shipped to me.
Its a nice little Colt, but has had a bit of a tragic life.
When my Great Grandfather passed away, my grandmother was a young child so his guns went to his brother in law for safe keeping until my grandmother was an adult. My Great Grandfather's brother in law unfortunately used this gun to end his own life in 1945
so it spent some time in police custody and was forgotten by the family until several years later when the local PD were cleaning out their evidence lockers and they mailed the pistol to my great aunt. When she passed many years later her daughter ended up with the gun and when she married she happened to marry a gun nut, so the gun was put in his safe. He passed away a couple of years ago and my grandmother ran into her cousin at a wedding last year and they got to talking and someone brought up that I was a bit of a gun nut with a C&R so arrangements were made for the pistol to be shipped to me.Its a nice little Colt, but has had a bit of a tragic life.
30Cal
Member
My brother has an aircrewman's revolver and shoulder holster that a friend of my dad's gave him.
The guy it came from (USMC F4 pilot) says he got it off the body of someone that crawled through the wire late one night.
The guy it came from (USMC F4 pilot) says he got it off the body of someone that crawled through the wire late one night.
RancidSumo
Member
I have an old Colt revolver with ivory grips. It was given to my great grandfather who was somewhat involved in the Johnson County cattle war. A man came up to his house and offered to trade him this revolver and its twin in exchange for a train ticket to anywhere a long way away. The other gun is on the other side of the family but I intend to aquire it one day. I wonder what the guy did that required him to get out of the state at any cost.
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