Reluctant Colt owner

[nocents]

It started last Friday with the passing of my next door neighbor for the past seven years. He and I had become close mostly because of our shared affection for animals especially mans best friend. But we were polar opposites on the political spectrum so that subject was never mentioned by either one of us. I would try to include him in range visits whenever I went but for always a different reason he would decline. He told me he had bought a pistol back about 1976 or so but hadn't shot it in a long time and actually only had it out once. I told his wife that I would help her sell it if she wished and told me she would come over tomorrow(Thursday).......this morning she did come over carrying a bag with a S&W labeled box of ammo with 24 rounds gone....I'm pretty sure that's all that's been through this gem close to 45 years ago.....she handed it to me and said Lynn wanted you to have this......as you can imagine I was grateful and humbled........but mostly reluctant ................. .. ................... .

[lihpster]

Fine revolver. Sucks the way you got it. My condolences on the loss of your friend. Since he wanted you to have it, I would say it's right where it needs to be. Shoot it or store it, but use it as a remembrance of your friend.

[BloodyThumb]

That is one to hang on to. My most prized are those that belonged to friends and relatives no longer around to tease me when I miss.

[Peak53]

Well, it appears you have something, a fine something, to help remember your friend. That much, at least, is a good thing. Seems like a fired salute is in order. I have many friends of an opposing political persuasion, which is recognized, but unspoken. We focus on the things we have in common. Fine Colt; fine friend.

[bamabiker]

Just goes to show you can have friends without agreeing on everything. And being a friend has many rewards.
I have one just like that but thank God I didn't receive it the way you did.

[Krogen]

Inheriting something is incredibly difficult. I didn't know just how hard it is until I experienced it. It's so unlike a typical gift. With a typical gift, you can protest a bit, say "you shouldn't have" smile, shake hands, say thank you etc. With an inheritance you can't even smile at the person, let alone say thank you. In my case, I felt unworthy and just plain rude for not saying thank you and showing my appreciation. It took me a while to realize that an inheritance is one of the kindest, most generous gifts. Now it makes me smile to think the giver is smiling right back at me.

[Rudi]

It is where he wanted it to be. Enjoy it and remember him.

[BourbonCowboy]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who "inherited" a fine revolver before a loved one actually passed.

My stepfather married my mother 30+ years ago. He's a true "gun guy" and owns a small arsenal. He had a revolver that I really liked, and I mentioned it to him a couple times. Over the last 3-4 years, I became more and more interested in shooting. Last August, I turned 50, and I went to visit him and my mom. He gave me a small, but heavy, gift bag. Inside was a card and the revolver that I liked...a Colt Python. I was floored. He'd always say that he's leave it to me when he died. I asked him about that, and he said that he wanted to give it to me so he could actually see me enjoying it while he was still around.

Seven months later, I still get giddy when shooting the pistol - and am still amazed by his generosity.

Keep the Colt and always fondly remember your friend when you use it. That was the intention of the gift.

[ISCS Yoda]

May he rest in peace. His final wish was to give you a delightful surprise. Enjoy it.

[vt_shooter]

It's painful when you can't thank the ones you want to thank. I guess the best you can do is look up at the sky, and say thank you and I miss you.

[Ray]

A gift from a friend, more so after he passed away, is a blessed gift. As for the ideologic differences there are several examples. If I´m not mistaken that was the case with Gary Cooper - Ernest Hemingway, Jimmy Stewart - Henry Fonda. But in both cases they remained friends in spite of their ideological opposite stances.
I guess there is something deeper in a friendship, something higher than political preferences.

Regards, Ray

[huskerbob]

once in a while, a hunk of steel and wood can suddenly transform into so much more. enjoy your Colt and memories of a special friend.

[stansdds]

Sorry that your neighbor and friend has passed away. He was truly a friend to will you a firearm.

[kaaskop49]

Wonderful gift, and a lovely firearm to boot. Almost funny, to call a DS a 'lovely firearm' but this one is. May I please suggest not mentioning this to anyone? People can be jealous, insanely so, even range buddies. Also, I'm not aware of the laws re transfer of guns in your locale, UBCs etc. I would not sell this item either, regardless of the premium prices Colts bring.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. Since no money was involved, perhaps you might offer to help your friend's widow should the need arise, next door neighbor and all. Just a thought...

[robvious]

sorry for the loss of your friend... differences can be ignored if both people acknowledge and accept it, but had you known he was a Colt guy... lol

[Golddollar]

Originally Posted by BourbonCowboy

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who "inherited" a fine revolver before a loved one actually passed.

I was fortunate that while my dad was still alive he gave me his old Trapdoor Springfield. That gave me the incentive to buy some good safes. My feeling was that if I had a fire in the house and that Trapdoor Springfield was destroyed, with money I could buy another Trapdoor Springfield, but it wouldn't be the one my dad gave me.

That Trapdoor Springfield is now more special as a remembrance of my late father and because I carried it as a prop when I appeared as a movie extra in the movie production "Day of the Gun."

[nocents]

I appreciate the kind sentiments about my friend.....the legality issue did cross my mind and since in Ohio face to face sales between residents sans background check is still legal....after I explained it to her I handed her a dollar........so now if anyone asks....I bought it....

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Sorry for the loss of your neighbor/friend. This is a good example of what I have seen of the closet gun owner.

[GypsmJim]

It was always expected that my Dad's collection would go to me, his only son. About 5 years before he passed, he wrote out a bill of sale for each item, signed and dated. He still kept them at his house in his gun safe. He gave me a copy of the key.

During that 5 year period I believe we went to camp shooting maybe once. He fired off a few rounds but had trouble holding a rifle. The Winter before he passed he said he wanted to go shooting once the next Summer. Sadly, the day didn't come.

When the time came and I brought the guns home, I immediately wrote bills of sale for half of them, and they were taken directly to his Grandson's house. I'm sure he would have been pleased.

NOTE - all the bills of sales accompany the original paperwork when the gun was first purchased eons ago. I don't imagine any laws require that, but you sure can't beat provenance.