Mod 36 from mid 1960's

[LKGMADMAX]

This pistol belonged to my father and was purchased and carried by him while he was a criminal magistrate in NC in the mid 1960's. My father had spent his early years as a policeman & detective from 1937-1950. My father passed away in 1979 one year before my son was born so they never met each other. My son is the only grandson in my family so it seemed only fitting that I present him with it on his 40th birthday in August. I've had custody of the piece for 41 years, I'm going to suggest to my son that if he never has a son of his own that he pass it on at his death to my daughter's son who will be born this March in hopes of keeping it in the family. I still have the original box and manuals for the pistol. A letter is on it's way from S&W which should show it shipped to a local hardware store (no longer in business) in our home town. I'm putting together an embossed leather binder on my my father about his life which will also include many law enforcement pictures from my father's career. I know I sound like a sentimentalist

The case was made by Glenn at Classic Chests and more, made from Peruvian Walnut.

 

[Watchdog]

That's going to be an incredible gift/heirloom to your son. And what a beautiful custom made case! Hopefully, you will show us the letter when you get it, and then later on, the leather binder with details from your father's life.

 

[MetalMan]

What a wonderful and precious legacy from you father!

I hope that your son and future grandson(s) will learn to appreciate the sentimental value of this treasured gift and you father's storied history.

 

[LKGMADMAX]

That's going to be an incredible gift/heirloom to your son. And what a beautiful custom made case! Hopefully, you will show us the letter when you get it, and then later on, the leather binder with details from your father's life.

Thank you for the kind words, I certainly will share the album once complete.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[The_Truth]

Such a perfect heirloom. Looking forward to some old police photos!

 

[kmyers]

Excellent looking Smith and presentation case and sounds like a wonderful heirloom to pass on to your son.

 

[LKGMADMAX]

Looking back on his short 66 years on earth he was such a good provider and accomplished a lot coming from a humble background overcoming great obstacles in his early years, beginning with the loss of his mother at age 18 months of age to cancer, basically being left to be raised by his grandparents later his two aunts & uncles until he was old enough to rejoin his father to help work on the farm, then he was off to work in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CC Corps) during and after the depression period to try to earn a small wage from which the majority was sent home to help in an effort to save the family's farm located on the Pamlico River in Eastern NC. After the CC Corps be joined the Durham Police Department as a patrolman, later he rose to rank of Detective. I remember is a boy my father telling me that he was walking a beat as a police officer when it came across the radio that Pearl harbor had been bombed December 7th 1941. My father moved into private business in 1950 owning & operating a Cooper Tire store in Durham for 17 years. In 1968 he was sworn in as one of Durham's first three original Criminal Magistrates (Durham's Justice of the Peace position was replaced with Magistrate position) where he worked until being appointed into the position at Durham's Small Claims Court Judge where he worked until he retired in 1978, passing away a year later in 1979. He was the true definition of a good and honorable man which I can understand and appreciate even more today.

A black jack carried by my Dad, can you imagine a police officer using one of these on a culprit today? (if they were still legal) This thing is full of real fine lead pellets it has a spring in the braided handle for flexibility, you could crack somebody's skull pretty easily with this device. Of course back in the day culprits were a lot better behaved than they are today, with exception of people like Al Capone

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[mikerjf]

Awesome package!

I'm leaving a document detailing the history of all the family-connected stuff I have... something everyone should do for those next in line.

 

[Krogen]

I know I sound like a sentimentalist

Yeah, I think you do too! And that's great!

So often we say, "if only these guns could talk." This is darn close to it. You've documented a part of your Dad's life and one of his tools. Nice work!

 

[ajgunner]

Very neat story and history. Thank You for sharing.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Great stuff!

Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Wow, that's awesome. What a thoughtful gesture.

 

[sw44spl]

Very nice seeing old Durham NC photos.