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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 03-16-2017, 08:11 PM
Shark Bait Shark Bait is offline
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Default My Great Uncle's Pre-17

I successfully worked out a trade with my nephew for my great uncle's pre-17. I have posted pictures of it here before and mentioned that it was not mine. But it is now it is! I traded my nephew a very nice older model Kimber .45 ACP for it. He is happy and so am I, so it's a win/win.

I remember my father's uncle, Conrad Cates, as a tall thin man who enjoyed smoking his pipe and fishing in the lakes and ponds in Kentucky. He had worked in banking and spent a fair amount of time visiting his sister. My brother and I would see him almost every summer when we spent a week or two with my grandmother. She had a farm outside of Elizabethtown and I remember using this revolver and a lever action Marlin to hunt ground hogs for her. This is also the first handgun my father ever shot.

The gun dates to 1948 and so does this picture of Connie and his wife, Ina.



Here he is with his pipe, and fishing. I remember him taking my brother and I fishing a few times.




Here he is as a young man in 1926.



And finally the gun. I can't express how happy I am to have this revolver. It will stay in the family as long as I have a say in it.




Last edited by Shark Bait; 08-23-2017 at 08:29 PM.
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:18 PM
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That's a nice story and a fine revolver.

DW
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:25 PM
RILEY31 RILEY31 is offline
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It is good to see a nice old gun like that with someone who appreciates it.It obviously means a lot to you and has a good family history.Thanks for sharing!

Last edited by RILEY31; 03-16-2017 at 08:26 PM.
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:25 PM
series guy series guy is offline
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He obviously took great pride in it judging by the condition. Good to know that it's in caring hands again.
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:37 PM
Bob L Bob L is offline
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Great story and a wonderful addition to your (S&W) family. Congrats as she is a pretty revolver.
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Old 03-16-2017, 11:02 PM
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...nice revolver...and good to see the family history behind it...
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Old 03-17-2017, 08:49 AM
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Congratulations on bringing it where it's most appreciated.

Saw a picture of him in his Knights Templar uniform, on the LDS website, and he looked very dashing.
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Old 03-17-2017, 09:59 AM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is online now
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Congrats on getting a family gun, especially with the good memories you have of your great uncle.

I have my granddaddy's Stevens .22/.410, that he bought around WW II to keep the cottontails out of his garden. He passed a few months before I turned 4, but I still have some vivid memories of him.

When my dad passed in 2013, I received his guns and when mom left us, I got her guns as well.

Of course, I would rather have my folks back than have all the guns in the world.
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Last edited by Muley Gil; 03-17-2017 at 10:09 AM.
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Old 03-17-2017, 11:39 AM
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Classy guy and classic revolver, you are fortunate to have it. Congratulations.
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Old 03-17-2017, 11:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shark Bait View Post
I successfully worked out a trade with my nephew for my great uncle's pre-17...I remember using this revolver and a lever action Marlin to hunt ground hogs for her. This is also the first handgun my father ever shot...The gun dates to 1948.

For a gun used to hunt groundhogs, and used by your dad as well, it's been remarkably well taken care of by everyone who's come in contact with it.

It's a fantastic family heirloom, and you're extremely fortunate to have it. Congratulations on achieving your goal of obtaining the gun and preserving a great part of your family's heritage. I know your uncle would be pleased.
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Old 03-17-2017, 07:34 PM
Shark Bait Shark Bait is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwheelzip View Post
Congratulations on bringing it where it's most appreciated.

Saw a picture of him in his Knights Templar uniform, on the LDS website, and he looked very dashing.
Awesome! Was it this picture from 1940?

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Old 03-18-2017, 04:28 AM
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Quote:
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Awesome! Was it this picture from 1940?
Yup, that's the one. I bet he turned a lot of gals heads in his day.
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