My "Thanks Dad" revolver

[4wheelin]

Wow, talk about a lump in the throat.

I lost dad to ALS at the age of 64. That's been 5 years ago, and still miss him everyday.

The first pistol dad gave to me was a S&W 65-1 w/ 4" barrel. He actually loaned it to me, then never wanted it back.

I have many fond memories of quail hunting with my dad that will never be forgotten. We couldn't afford a dog, so we had to kick 'em up and he always accused me of making him "bird dog" for me. We would laugh ourselves silly at how far we'd walked and never saw a bird...great times!

If I could have dinner with any person in the world, past or present, it would be dad. Happy fathers day, dad!

 

[firearmsunlimited]

This is the best thread I believe I have read in years. I was touched by each and every story posted here. I lost my dad 22 years ago and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him with fondness recalling the great memories that I have of the hunting trips, trap range and target range visits we made together over the years. I thank God that when he decided to take my dad it was immediate and without any suffering. We were all fortunate in that regard. I have the deepest sympathy for those who must endure the trials associated with Alzheimer's. It is a terrible disease.

The only S&W hand gun my dad had was a no dash model 14 that he really liked. He gifted it to a friend as a birthday present shortly before he passed away. The friend has since also passed and his daughter inherited it. She is not a shooter but is not quite ready to part with it. I contact her about once a year and eventually hope to obtain it so I can pass it along to my son. I do have the original sales receipt from '62 when he bought it and I look at it every once in a while and it brings a smile to my face knowing that out of all the S&Ws I have I just can't seem to get the one that would mean the most to me.

 

[skoltuniak]

I can relate. My father loved guns but wouldn't spend the money on himself; growing up poor he worked hard all his life to provide for his family, never putting himself first.

My father is the same way. He's had a CPL for over 2 years and never purchased a carry gun for himself. About 2 weeks ago I told him to stop by my place and I gave him a 642.

He loves it! My mother says he even carries it when they go for walks now. Makes me happy.

 

[amd6547]

My Father was a WWII vet..a cavalryman who fought at Falaise Gap. He never talked much about the war, but he was always interested in firearms. He taught me the fundamentals at age 5 with a single shot 22 in the basement, using CB caps.
My one "never leaves the family" gun is a norwegian 1911 45 he brought home from the war, along with the paper (hand typed in France) allowing him to bring it home.
He passed away suddenly, and I didnt get to say goodbye to him...
But, perhaps better that he went quickly by himself of a massive heart attack/stroke combo, laying in the grass looking up at a sunny blue sky.
A month ago, I had a vivid dream..he and my Mom (also gone) and I were having a picnic at a park...Dad was smoking a Pall Mall, like he always did. There was a steep hill, and I said "Hey Dad...want to climb that and get your heart pumping?" He said "No, you dont have to go up there yet..." I woke up, and felt completely at peace, happy to have seen Mom and Dad...never dreamed of them before or since.
Dads Norwegian Colt, and a helmet he brought back:

 

[balldboy]

Hiram,
My wife lost her mom 2 years ago and her dad to Alzheimer's and complications this december.

We were blessed with having a rental house across the street so we could move him in with a 24/7 caregiver.

We shared his daily life from Feb. to Dec...and my wife being his baby was able to comfort her dad on a regular basis.

The Alzheimer's nurse told us to agree with everything he said and just do what's best for him.

We took him out to the local hash house on Wed. and Sun.sy they were the highlight of his week.

Make sure you or someone you trust is in charge of his finances, vultures circling are a common symptom with this disease.

IF other members of the family opt out of supporting and visiting...their loss...it just let's you know who's on the team that much quicker.

Good on you for valuing his impact on your life,
Pete

 

[hiram2005]

Thanks balldboy.

 

[celticfisherman]

AMD- God bless your Dad for his service. We are losing his generation fast. And not many are stepping up to take their significant place.

Both of my grandfathers served in WWII and My Dad in Vietnam. He was outside Saigon during Tet. My Dad is still with me but my grandfathers have all passed on...

 

[bigpoppop51]

My dad is 79. Dementia has taken him from me. It cannot however take away all the memories of my dad and I shooting, hunting...etc. I do have his S&W Model 27 he bought new in 1958 and his S&W Model 41 which he also bought in 1957 I believe. Both are in very, very good condition. I also have 3 pre 64 winchesters he bought me growing up. 22 semi, 243, and a 410. Those memories and these guns will always be with me.

 

[sw44spl]

my stepdad died on halloween day in 2008 of alzhiemers.my mom and me kept him at home and looked after him. it is a major undertaking I hope all goes well. I have a winchester model 94 he got that was covered in surface rust .I had it parkerized and put the williams rear sight on it because it was missing the rear sight blade.I also had to put it together as it was in containers with oil in parts for 20 years.also his 639, I have the box and docs and factory grips he put on the pacs.

 

[smithman 10]

Thanks Dad

I was all set to head out to the range but couldn't stop until I read all the entries in this thread.

Strange how many have the same elements. A father who didn't buy much for himself but sacrificed for his family and is now gone, but thought about just about every day.

I have my Dad's side by side shotgun he hunted with on the farm as a kid - it's not shootable but I wouldn't take any amount of money for it.

He passed away fairly quickly from a stroke-induced dementia in 2002 and like others have stated in their posts I think about him almost every day.

Like someone who posted said - If your father is still alive and you want to tell him how much he means to you - DO IT NOW!

 

[WPD26]

This is a good thread, I had to finish before I left for the local gun hangout. I have the opposite problem, three sons, and not one really interested in guns, well maybe modern "bottom feeders", but not revolvers.

I have a pretty "respectable" collection of Smith revolvers and Winchester levers my wife will have to decide what to do with whenever I leave the present, ( I'm not in any hurry to leave so don't get any ideas of asking).

I've tried to interest them in the wheels but they just don't seem interested, this modern generation, don't know what they are missing!

 

[SaberOne]

Like the grips but like the story even better. I have a 66-2 that I wish to pass on to my son when it's my turn to pass.

 

[7shooter]

WPD26 ...

I am available for adoption.

Regards,
7shooter

 

[feralmerril]

Wow! That damn alzheimers! I also lost my dad to alzheimers in 2003. He was two months short of 90. Mom went 10 years earlier. I had just retired in 2000 when he started to come down with it. I was single then and went home and lived with him for six months untill I finaly talked him into going to assisted liveing. It was a rough six months!
Dad was 6 ft 5"s and a big boned strong man. While he was always a gentilman the girls at the rest home were afraid of him because of his size and appearance. He would force his way out many times. Once our old neighbor found him by our old house in a blizzard. He had walked about 8 miles from the rest home!
Dad was a hunter and fisherman. He always reminded me of chuck conners, "The rifleman" as they looked much the same and were the same size. I was a lucky kid! I had to take a S&W 1917 from him as they wouldnt let him keep it under his mattress at the rest home. Sure hated to do that. Here are a couple pictures, the folks on their wedding day, a picture of dad hunting and his/mine 1917.

 

[WPD26]

7shooter...,

Sorry, I don't need any more "grown up" dependents.

WPD26

 

[Bert Man]

Been sitting here reading the posts; sure brings back memories. It is so rewarding to hear of so many outstanding fathers. My dad was a proud WWII veteran and loved to hunt and fish. My parents weren't actually poor, but had to watch every penny. We didn't always get everything we wanted but we always got what we needed. My father never bought a firearm in his life, but he always owned a couple to hunt with thanks to a generous uncle. Daddy was not an emotional person and could be quite demanding but you just knew he cared. We lost him in 1990 and I know have his Rem. M11 12 ga. and Win M69 .22which I would never part with. I don't have any children to leave my guns to and my only nephew is handicapped. Maybe I'll start giving them away to deserving folks as I grow older.

It is saddening to hear how many here have had to deal with ALS in those so dear to them. My prayers are with you. It is obvious that the fine fathers described here did much more than raise a child, help financially from time to time and give a few guns. They gave the best gift a father can give; they helped you become a man.

 

[balldboy]

Been sitting here reading the posts; sure brings back memories. It is so rewarding to hear of so many outstanding fathers. My dad was a proud WWII veteran and loved to hunt and fish. My parents weren't actually poor, but had to watch every penny. We didn't always get everything we wanted but we always got what we needed. My father never bought a firearm in his life, but he always owned a couple to hunt with thanks to a generous uncle. Daddy was not an emotional person and could be quite demanding but you just knew he cared. We lost him in 1990 and I know have his Rem. M11 12 ga. and Win M69 .22which I would never part with. I don't have any children to leave my guns to and my only nephew is handicapped. Maybe I'll start giving them away to deserving folks as I grow older.

It is saddening to hear how many here have had to deal with ALS in those so dear to them. My prayers are with you. It is obvious that the fine fathers described here did much more than raise a child, help financially from time to time and give a few guns. They gave the best gift a father can give; they helped you become a man.

I am sending a Rem. 870 to the Wounded Warriors in Texas.

We also support a 4H shooting club in Mt Shasta Ca, sent them a 10-22 and 4 old school Unertl spotting scopes from our old small bore league.

Guns make great donations.

Just sayin'
Pete

 

[Bert Man]

I am sending a Rem. 870 to the Wounded Warriors in Texas.

We also support a 4H shooting club in Mt Shasta Ca, sent them a 10-22 and 4 old school Unertl spotting scopes from our old small bore league.

Guns make great donations.

Just sayin'
Pete

Great suggestion ballboy, I am a Patriot Guard Rider and my retirement vocation is to never let a veteran be forgotten and never let a vetreran go home alone. Your wonderful gesture will surely bring enjoyment to our Wounded Warriors and I will definitely keep it in mind when the time comes.

 

[Devildogs1907]

Gentlemen,
Talking about Dads.
My Dad was a WWII Marine, spent 28 months in action in the Pacific (including Tarawa and Iwo Jima.) When I entered the Corps in 1968, he had an old S&W .38/44 that my great-grandfather carried when he was a Lieutenant with the Cleveland Police Department (killed a bank robber with it.) Right before I got order for FMFWestPac (Fleet Marine Force - Pacific) in 1969 we took a family trip to New England to see his old Marine buddy. While visiting with his pal, we took the .38/44 Heavy Duty and my Dad traded it at the Kittery Trading Post in Maine for a S&W model 36, 2" blued. He gave it to me to take to Vietnam. I smuggled that revolver (loaded) in a green Marine Corps sock in my right rear pocket all the way to Okinawa. I got stopped on Okinawa as I was a small arms repairman (MOS 2111) and they needed them there at 3rd FSR at the time. I kept the gun (hidden) and finally sold it when I got out of the Corps in 1970. I feel real bad now for selling it, period, as I ended up spending 28 years as a cop, over 8 with Cleveland.
Like someone said previously, good fathers are hard to find, and mine was the best there ever was. He passed away on 1 March 74 and I miss him every single day.
Both my sons are Marines now, one a Sergeant with 2 Purple Hearts, the other just finished training as a Forward Observer as is assigned to the 1st MarDiv at Camp Pendleton.
Semper fi,
Dave Swaffield

 

[WPWarhawk]

My dad's folks wouldn't let him have a gun when he was at home. The closest he got was a daisy pump BB gun that he kept hidden out in a shed. One of the first things he did after getting married and out on his own was to buy a .22 rifle. It's an old Sears (Marlin) bolt action repeater. It's the only gun he ever bought for himself, and he gave it to me (oldest child) when I was about 10. I remembered mom saying one time that he really wanted a lever action .22 (her dad was a big outdoorsman) but it was quite a bit more money.

When I was grown I went to work for a department store in the sporting goods department. We traded guns and one day when a very nice Marlin 39A came in, it went home with me and was given to my dad. It nearly had him in tears. Growing up during the depression like he did, he wouldn't waste anything and didn't even "waste" .22 shells. I knew he'd never shoot anything bigger since ammo was more expensive. The next gun I gave him was a S&W Model 63 with target grips and a leather S&W holster. I gave him a couple more before he told me that he had enough guns and would I take a couple home with me. He did love to go shooting with me though, liked to see the effects of big bore stuff on various targets (he was a test engineer by trade).

One that I gave him was a Wards (Winchester) .410 single shot. My mom laid claim to that one and just used it to shoot a snake in the garden a couple of weeks ago.

Dad passed away about 5 years ago and I got everything back, except for the .410 of mom's. I gave my brother an 870 Special Field that he used to borrow from my dad to hunt with. The rest will go to my sons (my oldest already has the old Sears .22 rifle).