Old S&W stuff I didn't know Dad had

[Tu_S]

My Dad passed away Saturday afternoon.

I finally went into the gun safes today to kill some time and distract myself, and found a lot of things I didn't know he had.

On the S&W side I found these, a 469, 659, and 645, with the last two unfired and still in their original boxes. Looking at the receipts they date from the late 80's/early 90's, around the time I left for college.

 

[rkwood]

Sorry for your loss. Clearly, your father had excellent taste for quality firearms. Cherish what he has passed down and remember him by taking those with you to the range now and then.

 

[JJEH]

I'm sorry for your loss, please accept my condolences.

 

[gmborkovic]

Tu S, sorry for dad passing. Im an old dad and filling my two sons in on all the spots I have stuff. Im starting to let it go. No pain. Just the passing of toys.

 

[Dave Baird]

My condolences.

 

[quikdraw67]

Condolences on your loss.

 

[kbm6893]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my mom when I was 10 and my dad when I was 35. Stepmother still here but we're not close.

Beautiful guns. I wonder if anybody will ever be excited to inherit a polymer semi auto? Revolvers and metal hammer fired guns just seem to be more worthy of passing down.

Now the question remains as to whether to shoot the unfired ones? Your dad owned them for over three decades. He obviously owned guns and I'm sure he shot them. So why didn't he shoot those ones? I bought a LNIB Model 15 right before Covid hit. Looks unfired. I doubt I'm ever gonna fire it. My son likes it very much.

 

[huthike]

My condolences for your loss. Losing a dad is hard.

 

[S&W Fan]

My deepest condolensces on your loss. I know the sorrow. When my dad passed, way too soon in 1992, I knew he had a no dash 686 but also found a Colt Series 70 1911 and a model 60 I gifted back to him in 1984.

I ended up with the 686, he requested the other two go to two of his close friends as long as I didn't want the 60 back, I didn't. The 686 has been shown here many times. I have the box, tools, docs and his receipt from when he bought it Sept. 7. 1981. It will go to my older son one day and then to one of his kids.

Take care.

 

[wyo-man]

Sorry for your loss.
Lost my Dad in 2015. Miss him every day.

wyo-man

 

[cmj8591]

Those guns are beautiful and look like they've never seen the range. My advice for you is to look at them then put them back in the safe and let them sit for a while before you decide what to do with them. My dad and I hunted together from the time I was about 10 until he died at 85. There was a ton of hunting stuff that accumulated over the years. Just after he passed, it all had sentimental meaning. As time passed, most of it just became stuff that we used to hunt. I got rid of most of it that I wasn't presently using because it was really just taking up space. I kept, and will not part with, his knife and rifle. When I look at them, they take me back to cold days in the woods, fishing trips and spending time sighting in together at the range. It doesn't take a room full of stuff to remember your dad. If something has a really special connection, then keep it. If your dad bought those guns just because he liked to own them, then don't be afraid to part with them. Of course if you like to keep them in your collection because you like to own them, then that's good too. My point is don't rush. The passing of time will guide you.

 

[Maddog 521]

Enjoy your fathers treasures and make new memories.

 

[Old_Cop]

My condolences on your loss.

 

[Engineer1911]

Please accept my condolences on you father's passing.

S&W built those pistols for shooting. Your father may have bought them for their future value as unfired. You will be honoring your father if you shoot them.

 

[GerSan69]

Very sorry for your loss! May He Rest In Peace.
I hope that the treasures you find in the safes and elsewhere will only add to your memories.

 

[swagmeister]

So sorry for your loss. Your Dad sure knew quality firearms. My Dad died in 1982, and a day does not go by when I don't think of him.

 

[Spurdann]

Sorry for your loss. Sage advise, wait a while before making any decisions on what to do with his stuff.

 

[lkabug]

Condolences for your loss.
Your dad had good taste. Each time you look/hold those firearms, smile. Your dad would like to know your enjoyment.

 

[mexicanjoe]

Sorry for your loss. I lost daddy 50 years ago, and I was 11. Before he left we went hunting a few times when his health allowed. I have 4 children with disabilities who have no interest in shooting. My dilemma is who to leave them to? Cash them in for $$$ and leave it to my young wife? or perhaps leave it to a young man I we helped raise and who I love as my own? or I have another young man in my life that I would have no compunction in leaving my meager collection to. Choices, choices.

 

[Green Frog]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my mom when I was 10 and my dad when I was 35. Stepmother still here but we're not close.

Beautiful guns. I wonder if anybody will ever be excited to inherit a polymer semi auto? Revolvers and metal hammer fired guns just seem to be more worthy of passing down.

Now the question remains as to whether to shoot the unfired ones? Your dad owned them for over three decades. He obviously owned guns and I'm sure he shot them. So why didn't he shoot those ones? I bought a LNIB Model 15 right before Covid hit. Looks unfired. I doubt I'm ever gonna fire it. My son likes it very much.

Over 50 years ago I read a "joke" that posited the concept that before long we would be leaving our grandchildren a bunch of "plastic antiques". Oddly enough, what our descendants will come to expect (and respect) upon our final shuffle will be the things we have taught them to use and enjoy. Are you taking your kids/grandkids to the range and teaching them to enjoy these "old fashioned" metal guns? My grand nephews will probably get my best, and the eagerly look forward to their turns at the range with my guns.
Froggie