A difficult but timely question for me, as I am considering shrinking much of my collection. At 75, I just don’t shoot the amount I used to, and most of the firearms stay unused. Plus some just are true hanger-queens, like my 1883 Colt 10 gauge hammerless DB. So, in the last couple months, I have been contemplating this question, to some extent.
The ‘single most’ is not hard, and is one of my 1911’s; one that my father made. He was the R&P Coach on the USS Pennsylvania, flagship of the Pacific Fleet, and he made a 1911 (frame and most of the internals, but with stock slide) for each member of his team. In lieu of a Serial Number, he stamped their name on the side of their pistol. He test-fired his on December 4, 1941! The Pennsy was in Dry Dock on December 7, and as a CMM, he was at battle stations in the bowels of the battleship, so was fairly safe. Tell that to their sister ship, the USS Arizona!
Still, I can’t stay with just one! There are a few more that stay, as I inherited them from him, and they are worshipped. One is a Registered Smith, fully engraved with ivory grips (dragon engraved in the ivory) which I have spoken of in this blog. In addition, I inherited his match pistols, a 38-44 Outdoorsman, also with ivory grips and King ventilated rib, and a Colt Woodsman 2nd series. The Outdoorsman was the first firearm I learned to shoot, at around 7 years of age (reduced loads!) and also reload and cast bullets for, so a lot of personal history. Then in the world of rifles, I have a John Dubiel in 300 H&H, built around a Mauser Magnum action, and 3 Winchester 52’s, two of which I’ll keep. I might also keep my other Registered Smith, maybe not…
Man, this is a tough subject…