A model of 1917 and a great friend.( Pics Posted)

[Wheelgunner840]

OK, here's something I have debated on posting since last Tuesday. All I can say is that I have the best friends in the world!

As some of you know, I have been looking for a S&W model of 1917 .45 ACP revolver. More precisely, one with all the proper US ARMY, and PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES. markings, original smooth walnut grips, lanyard ring, etc. Well, they are pretty hard to find, and once found, the prices are very high.

I went to the range to meet this good friend of mine, because he had some mags that I had ordered. This friend is an FFL and a collector of fine guns. He slid a box over to me. I open it to find his own 1917, a holster, a bunch of moon clips, a moon clip tool, and a small piece of paper that simply said "Happy Birthday".

I know the gun well, as I have shot it in the past. The bore on this gun is as bright and shiny as a brand new gun! This gun easily has 98% of its original finish, and locks up tighter than any one of my modern revolvers. Absolutely no end shake or cylinder movement of any kind. It also has been lettered by the Office of S&W Revolvers, signed and sealed by Mr. Roy Jinks as having been shipped from S&W to the US Government on May 18th 1918. The letter was also in the box.

I was blown away. I told him repeatedly that I could not accept such a gift, and offered to pay him whatever he wanted, but he insisted that it was a gift and I should just take it.

Being an FFL, he had the paperwork with him, and all ready to be filled out and signed. To say I was floored would be an understatement. Being that I am much more into giving than receiving, I really didn't know what to say, or what to do. I thanked him profusely, but I am still in a state of disbelief. "Thank you" doesn't even scratch the surface! It really doesn't matter what it's monetary value is (and I am sure it is worth a bunch) because I will never sell it.

What an amazingly generous person. I needed to share this with you folks, knowing that y'all would appreciate it.

Before someone posts POIDH, I will post pics eventually, but I just haven't had the time.



WG840

 

[bamabiker]

Congrats to you for having a real friend and being a real friend. They are worth more than any gun.
Now when you get time the rest of us want pictures.

 

[gaucho1]

Accepting the gift is your gift to your friend.

Some things have no words.

 

[mtb1bkr]

Wow!! Congrats WG!!! Can't wait to see the pics, but I sure will!

Bill

 

[DCWilson]

People who cast heir bread upon the waters don't necessarily expect to see it returned to them, but it often does. Just because you didn't expect it doesn't mean it should surprise you. If you act like a friend to others, you can't be astonished when they act like a friend to you.

One of the best lessons my grandfather (a preacher) ever taught me was to accept gifts graciously, even if you think you don't deserve them. Doing otherwise has the potential to offend the giver and may damage or even terminate his policy of generosity. Turning down a gift, or accepting it with seeming reservation, may prevent other gifts from being given to others in the future. Nobody should want that weight on his soul.

Treat others as generously as you can. And allow them do the same -- even to you if they are so inclined.

Here endeth the lesson.

 

[4506517]

I think the real treasure here is finding out you have such a great friend.

Especially one that thinks so highly of you.

They are few and far between.

 

[alaskavett]

You sir have a true friend there! What I have found that throughout life, to have a true friend you yourself must be one. Kind of like it takes one to know one. Kyle

 

[Sprefix]

Congratulations and thanks........

I'm glad to say I have the great fortune of friendship like you do. Without having met you I can still say thanks for being the kind of person that earns respect and friendship to this degree from someone. More people like you and your unnamed friend are needed in this world of today. Shoot safely and in good health.

 

[gjamison]

great friend,story and gun nuff said!!!!!!!

 

[Iggy]

I would venture to guess that you have been a good enough friend in the past to have unknowingly or unwittingly earned the gun.

Things like that usually don't just come out of the blue.

Congratulations on your gift and more so on the friendship.

 

[62bowtie]

I am new to this forum and have read about some great things, but this this is by far great. True friends don't come along often. Your a very lucky person to have one that generous. Terrific and Happy Birthday.

 

[glenncal1]

WG- does your friend have a charity or cause that is impotant to him? If so you might consider a nice donation in his name as a way to say thank you.

 

[S&W 10]

Congratulations WG840... I thought I had a good friend when he sold me a fairly high condition (92-95% ?) 1917 a few months ago for $600...yours is truly a GREAT friend!

 

[captainjohnsofd]

The Lord gives us gifts every day we don't deserve. Thank your friend graciously. You have already repaid him for the beautiful gift with the look on your face when you opened the box. Enjoy your new gift as he would want you to.

 

[JSR III]

Great friendships have no material value. I would merely send your friend a nice thank you note telling him that you will be reminded of his great friendship and generosity every time you handle the 1917.

 

[loknload]

Congratulations and enjoy, your friend really thought the most of you and knew you would really appreciate and care for the gift he gave you.

 

[j38]

A story about real friendship is always welcome - and heartening. Thanks much and enjoy that old shooting iron.

Jerry

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

It is very interesting to me to hear this story and the comments it generated, since something similar happened to me almost two years ago. A good friend at the gun club was moving to a state less gun-friendly than MA (!) to be closer to family, and had physical issues as well. I was surprised when he announced that I could have any one of his five H&R USRA pistols, and I asked how much he wanted for a particular one, whose characteristics were appreciated only by him and me among those present. He made it quite clear that he was giving me the pistol, not selling it. Of course, I thanked him, and he eventually brought it in and gave it to me. I took several steps to thank him, but I still know that I owe him, bigtime. This is a gun that got a LOT of personal attention by Walter Roper.

My wife and I have long been fairly openhanded, particularly towards religious organizations, but my friend's generosity did affect me, and one of the more obvious effects made me wonder whether the Almighty had this in mind all along. I also thought we might get audited by the IRS for last year, since our recorded charitable donations went up so much, but we have so far been spared that nuisance.

I guess all we can do is to say, "Thank you!" and try to pass it forward.

 

[sophie]

You have truly been blessed to have such a good friend.
I will bet he feels blessed also to have you as a friend as he has surely shown you.
Sometimes it is real hard to accept a gift (especially one like that) when you are caught off guard.
Very hard to find the real words to say.
Really nice gift.

James

 

[Biginge]

Admiration between friends is something that has no monetary value. Your friend delighted in gifting you this fine revolver. And, as Iggy said in his post, I am sure that your friendship, to him, has more than "earned" this reward. The gesture is worth way more than the weapon and it seems you are seeing it that way too. Congratulations and thanks for sharing a wonderful story with us. I know that this 1917 has become your most valued Smith & Wesson.

Regards

Bill