I have this old gun, inherited from my paternal grandmother when she died in 1975.
It's a S&W Model 1902, and it belonged to my paternal grandfather, who passed in 1942. At the turn of the century, he was a dry goods store owner in Crittenden, Kentucky, just below the Ohio River, across from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Every day at the close of business he would walk carrying the proceeds from his sales to the local bank, which was located about a quarter-mile from his store. He protected himself and the cash with this gun, carried in a shoulder holster under his jacket.
The gun has evidently seen hard use. My grandparents moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1924, as my grandmother had developed tuberculosis and needed to go to a dryer climate. My grandfather secured a job with a large variety store in Phoenix as a sales manager, and proceeded to build, with his own hands, two rental houses to provide extra income. I suspect he continued to carry this gun while building the homes.
It's one firearm I will never give up. Sure, it's seen better days. I have only fired it once with mid-range wadcutter ammo. I then cleaned it and retired it to the safe.
It's photographed with my granddad's shoulder holster on an old wagon wheel that belonged to my mom and dad. It's a tangible link to my family's past that I treasure.
Some of you may have Smiths that used to belong to someone in your family - if so, let's see them!
John
It's a S&W Model 1902, and it belonged to my paternal grandfather, who passed in 1942. At the turn of the century, he was a dry goods store owner in Crittenden, Kentucky, just below the Ohio River, across from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Every day at the close of business he would walk carrying the proceeds from his sales to the local bank, which was located about a quarter-mile from his store. He protected himself and the cash with this gun, carried in a shoulder holster under his jacket.
The gun has evidently seen hard use. My grandparents moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1924, as my grandmother had developed tuberculosis and needed to go to a dryer climate. My grandfather secured a job with a large variety store in Phoenix as a sales manager, and proceeded to build, with his own hands, two rental houses to provide extra income. I suspect he continued to carry this gun while building the homes.
It's one firearm I will never give up. Sure, it's seen better days. I have only fired it once with mid-range wadcutter ammo. I then cleaned it and retired it to the safe.
It's photographed with my granddad's shoulder holster on an old wagon wheel that belonged to my mom and dad. It's a tangible link to my family's past that I treasure.
Some of you may have Smiths that used to belong to someone in your family - if so, let's see them!
John
