An Old War Horse....

[Sebago Son]

I sat on the back porch with the old lawman in the Texas twilight... The silence only broken by the ice clinking in our glasses of a very nice, smoky scotch. He was retired and heading north to live with his daughter in New Jersey... She had told him that he could stay with them but he had to leave his guns behind.... part of him wanted to go because he would see his grand daughters every day. But he knew that his life in the wild places that he loved so much was over. he had started with the Border Patrol before the war and he knew many of the men whose names are legend. Carter, Jordan, Blankenship, Skelton and Askins... Photos of him with these men were spread out on his table and mantelpiece. We sat in silence as the late afternoon bled slowly into the evening... "... something I want you to have..." he said abruptly, breaking the stillness and he reached over and handing me a Sixgun.... an early 1950 Pre-27. His last duty gun. Well used, but meticulousness maintained. As he handed it to me he said "... careful of that old gun... it's dangerous.. Knocked many an injun off his pony.... " Here's to you Sam... Thank you for the trust. I hope you are still with us, but probably not. I'm taking care of your sixgun.

 

[26betsam]

That'd be a tough decision for me to make and it's a safe bet neither one of my daughters would ask me to make it. Certainly my son-in-laws wouldn't allow it.

 

[LEO918]

Great story, Drew. Made my day.

 

[Sebago Son]

Great story, Drew. Made my day.

Glad to do it that would make ole Sam smile...

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

What an honor to receive such a treasure. That speaks to a solid friendship and respect. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DV0]

If only we could all have a tale like that with every piece. Cheers

 

[quinn]

Simply outstanding!

 

[Engine49guy]

Love the story and the revolver!
Wondering if the high shoulder Magnas are nickel coated brass?
The hammer profile and ejector rod shroud shapes are very interesting on the early ones.

 

[45NUTT]

Scotch in Texas......not bourbon?! Oh my. Seriously, thank you for sharing the old war horse's story. I have known some of those Gentlemen and their friendship is truly an honor. Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[Sebago Son]

Well.... I brought the bottle....

 

[SS336]

Thanks for that, made my morning.
beautiful old revolver, class personified.

 

[roundels]

I'm 64 years old and I've been truly blessed to have known many, many real men, from WWII pilots to Vietnam Grunts to IED survivors to veteran Cops. There is one man, however, who still sticks out in my mind 46 years after our brief encounter.

In 1979 I was living in Del RIo, Texas and I had to pay a couple of fines brought on by a teenage misadventure. I went to see the Town Constable and found myself standing before the hardest-looking man I still have ever seen. I think at the time he was in his late 80s or early 90s and his wrinkles had wrinkles, but he was lean and fit and he looked like he could tie me in a knot without breaking a sweat. As he did the paperwork I eyed the nickeled and engraved 1911 he was carrying in a beautiful Border rig and after he caught me eye drooling all over his barbecue gun he asked me if I wanted to see it. He cleared it and handed it to me and although I don't remember for sure I'll bet my hands were shaking. Those precious few moments I spent with a real Western Lawman were a thrill that I've never forgotten.

 

[Erich]

Wow, I'd forgotten what a poet you are, Drew. Cheers.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

… handing me a Sixgun.... an early 1950 Pre-27. His last duty gun. Well used, but meticulousness maintained.

I eyed the nickeled and engraved 1911 he was carrying in a beautiful Border rig …

I enjoy gun stories.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dave Haynes]

Men from a different time when people were polite and respect was earned not issued. When my brother and myself were just little kids 5-6 years old, you could light us on fire and neither of my grandfathers would even rise up to put it out. One was in the Spanish American war and the other was in the Philippine Insurrection. When I grew up and came home from VN, Pampa started to talk to me about the Philippines. Basic was walking from Missouri to Washington State. A six week boat ride over that saw dozens of men die from disease, it was so bad that some men would muster out over there to avoid the ride home. He was a Bugler and Farrier in a Cavalry outfit. What those men had to do was amazing and dangerous, yet everyone rose to the standards of the day. There will never be men like this again and it is sad and disturbing to see what passes for normal today.

 

[Sebago Son]

Wow, I'd forgotten what a poet you are, Drew. Cheers.

Grasias Primo!...

 

[hdfinder47]

So... I'm the only one to tear up just a bit? Maybe I'm getting somewhat sentimental in my old age and the post brings back memories. Thanks for sharing.
Ed

 

[two-bit cowboy]

So... I'm the only one to tear up just a bit?

Jus 'cause nobody says it, never assume you're the only one!

 

[Ljoconnor]

Great story! Most of life is just a collection of stories. Some are much more interesting than others. This is a good one!
Larry

 

[Revelation]

I sat on the back porch with the old lawman in the Texas twilight... The silence only broken by the ice clinking in our glasses of a very nice, smoky scotch. He was retired and heading north to live with his daughter in New Jersey... She had told him that he could stay with them but he had to leave his guns behind.... part of him wanted to go because he would see his grand daughters every day. But he knew that his life in the wild places that he loved so much was over. he had started with the Border Patrol before the war and he knew many of the men whose names are legend. Carter, Jordan, Blankenship, Skelton and Askins... Photos of him with these men were spread out on his table and mantelpiece. We sat in silence as the late afternoon bled slowly into the evening... "... something I want you to have..." he said abruptly, breaking the stillness and he reached over and handing me a Sixgun.... an early 1950 Pre-27. His last duty gun. Well used, but meticulousness maintained. As he handed it to me he said "... careful of that old gun... it's dangerous.. Knocked many an injun off his pony.... " Here's to you Sam... Thank you for the trust. I hope you are still with us, but probably not. I'm taking care of your sixgun.


View attachment 789152

Hand Salute....