lethe
Member
I hope i'm as fortunate as some of you who have been able to pass a piece of family history down to a son/daughter or grandchildren.
Your Most Cherished Firearm?
- Thread starter Voyager28
- Start date
For me it is the Winchester Model 70 30-06 pre 64. My father won it in a raffle in the late 50's. He new I liked the rifle, and I was very excited when he said here take care of it.
Hard question, hard answer.
My most treasured, historically speaking, is the Eli Whitney Navy Revolver my CSA GGGrandfather "Relieved" a Union soldier of during the war of northern aggression. The Union soldier that originally had possession of the revolver didn't have much use for it.
I inherited the Whitney revolver a few years ago and with the help of Dixie Gun Works and Keith Warner, Gunsmith, I fired one round from the same revolver my GGGrandfather used to defend his CSA
As far as "Modern" guns go, it's a no brainer. It's my dads J.C. Higgins Model 20. Dad bought it NIB from SEARS for $55.00 NIB.
Dad paid with a $50.00 gift certificate he won from Liberty Mutual Insurance and a $5.00 bill. He bought the Model 20 in 1954
My most treasured, historically speaking, is the Eli Whitney Navy Revolver my CSA GGGrandfather "Relieved" a Union soldier of during the war of northern aggression. The Union soldier that originally had possession of the revolver didn't have much use for it.
I inherited the Whitney revolver a few years ago and with the help of Dixie Gun Works and Keith Warner, Gunsmith, I fired one round from the same revolver my GGGrandfather used to defend his CSA
As far as "Modern" guns go, it's a no brainer. It's my dads J.C. Higgins Model 20. Dad bought it NIB from SEARS for $55.00 NIB.
Dad paid with a $50.00 gift certificate he won from Liberty Mutual Insurance and a $5.00 bill. He bought the Model 20 in 1954
My no dash 686 I inherited when my dad passed. Have the original box, papers, tools, receipt. Without a doubt this one is my most prized. It was his last gun, will one day go to my grandson.
venomballistics
Member
And that's how it works (or at least is supposed to work).I have no sons and my grandson is still way too young to know if he'd be the right person to take on the responsibility of the family heirloom firearms... so odds are that my oldest nephew will get that responsibility and will likely pass things down to his son.
In the case of my great-great grandfather, one would have hoped that he would have passed down that Civil War musket to his oldest son, who was my great-grandfather. But even if he did, unfortunately, my grandfather was not my great grandfather's oldest son...... and we have pretty much lost track of that other branch of the family.
I hate when things like this get lost,and I hope you find at least a vintage representation of it some day. These old arms have a certain vibe about them that a reproduction can't duplicate.
There were nuances in how they were crafted. Like the nearly invisible swell in the steel about 1.5 inches behind the trigger guard, and something about the contour of the forearm area too subtle to drill down.
These details made what might appear a clumsy utilitarian arm a deceptively elegant and nimble piece.
Page-Lewis Model C Olympic Single Shot Rifle .22 LR
From my grandfather.
From my grandfather.
I got this Browning Medalist from my dad in the early 1970's for a Christmas present when I was 12 years old. Lots of rounds. Lots of memories. My dad and I still go shooting and take my 18 year old son who loves shooting this gun. It'll be his some day.
John
John
Malpasowildlifer
Member
Well, I don't have any of Dad's old guns because they all got stolen when I was a teenager. I do have all the guns Dad gave me when I was a kid in the '70s, which I'll never get rid of. They all hold lots of memories, but I can't say that I "cherish" any them. Over the years I've owned a mess of other guns that were fine pieces, some that I chased for some time before I got them in my hands but I didn't cherish them, and most have made way for something else. In fact, until recently, I never had "that" gun, the one that sets off all my bells and whistles, that is mine all mine, but if there is any gun that I think I may truly cherish, it is my custom Colt 1991A1 (9mm, .38 Super, 9x23 Winchester) that was just finished a month or so ago. I've owned a number of custom 1911s but this is the first (and last) full build that I commissioned myself. It took a year and a half or so, and it is exactly the gun I wanted, the one I envisioned when I started thinking about having it done several years ago, and I could not be happier with it. I believe it is "the one".
very nice!!!
italiansport
Member
I should also add that I have the Walther P38 and holster one of my uncles brought back from WW II with the capture paper. No one in his immediate family wanted it so he gave it to me.
Jim
Jim
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I cherish all of them, but it's an honor to live in a free country were I can still own them were most still believe that's worth fighting for. I want to thank our service men and women for serving. I want to send a prayer out to the real hero's who paid the ultimate price for there country. I want to tell the family they left behind I'm sorry for there loss. I feel there pain.
Which gun I cherish goes far beyond my gun. It's about what it took to get our country to this day to keep our nation free. We live in the greatest country on this earth. God bless, bigbill
Our country is only a few hundred years old when compared to the countries that are well rooted for many centuries. We're the youngster who's still learning. Sometimes I wished we focused on peace the way we focus on war maybe the world would be a better place for our children.
Which gun I cherish goes far beyond my gun. It's about what it took to get our country to this day to keep our nation free. We live in the greatest country on this earth. God bless, bigbill
Our country is only a few hundred years old when compared to the countries that are well rooted for many centuries. We're the youngster who's still learning. Sometimes I wished we focused on peace the way we focus on war maybe the world would be a better place for our children.
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My custom Army Special, had it made just for me....
ErnieDeBord
Member
I don't have any hand me downs at all. My favorite is my all time love, Not the one I bought new years ago, but its twin, but a miracle I just acquired, a NIB 629-3 6", and by fate, I just got (from the same retired owner) a AS NEW 66-3 6", the 629 is my 1st & always love. But But & But..........I have a NIB Colt 06720XSE as a Mistress. Regards Ernie
My first repeater, Winchester 1906.
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4506517
Member
Actually, I have two.
First is a model 99 Savage in 300 Savage. It belonged to my father. He purchased it in 1953. He can still point to a scratch on the barrel and related the story. He loaned it to a buddy in 1956. His buddy used the barrel to push down the top strand of a barbed wire fence.
Second is a Fox shotgun. It came from Pop also. He tore down a chicken coop for a farmer. He used that money to buy the shotgun.
I remember both of them sitting in the gun rack growing up. Pop gave me the Savage for graduating from UNCW. He then gave me the Fox the following Christmas. While they aren't worth a lot of money, to me they are priceless.
First is a model 99 Savage in 300 Savage. It belonged to my father. He purchased it in 1953. He can still point to a scratch on the barrel and related the story. He loaned it to a buddy in 1956. His buddy used the barrel to push down the top strand of a barbed wire fence.
Second is a Fox shotgun. It came from Pop also. He tore down a chicken coop for a farmer. He used that money to buy the shotgun.
I remember both of them sitting in the gun rack growing up. Pop gave me the Savage for graduating from UNCW. He then gave me the Fox the following Christmas. While they aren't worth a lot of money, to me they are priceless.
My first repeater, Winchester 1906.
Your little brother has a look on his face saying "OH **** NOW HE IS ARMED!!"
When the Romanovs....
When the Romanovs get back in power they are going to want their gun back.
I have two heirlooms. One is a 1929 Browning A5 shotgun from my FIL who was a Navy vet who had seen a lot of action. He knew that I would appreciate it. The other is an old pitted double shotgun (I don't even know the make) that came down through my father's side. I'm not sentimental about things like that, so my two most cherished guns are the ones I bought myself. A 686 and Mod 5943. I'd sell all the others before I even thought about selling those.
When the Romanovs get back in power they are going to want their gun back.
I have two heirlooms. One is a 1929 Browning A5 shotgun from my FIL who was a Navy vet who had seen a lot of action. He knew that I would appreciate it. The other is an old pitted double shotgun (I don't even know the make) that came down through my father's side. I'm not sentimental about things like that, so my two most cherished guns are the ones I bought myself. A 686 and Mod 5943. I'd sell all the others before I even thought about selling those.
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Thankfully, my Dad is still around so I don't have any of his guns yet and I hope I don't for a long time. I guess if forced to choose it'd be a Remington Model 11 12 gauge with a poly choke and the safety reversed for a lefty. I went to Britain in the summer of '81 as a 14 year old with my family and my aunt and uncle. My uncle was my "hunting uncle". Always came to our place to quail and chicken hunt. Great guy, and still is. He flew P-38s in WWII. The two of us were fishing a river in Wales, and talking wingshooting. At the time, I had a Winchester 37a youth 20 gauge. I was bemoaning the fact and he said by gosh he had a shotgun he'd give me, that old Model 11. Said it was too heavy for him anymore. Told me he'd bring it up from Florida next time he came to Kansas. They came to our house that Thanksgiving and he told me to go open the trunk of his car and unload it. I played dumb, but my older brother spilled the beans and told him that all I'd been talking about for weeks was that shotgun. He gave it to me that day. The next, I went out and shot 9 quail with 8 shots. I used it constantly until the late "90s when the bolt broke. Its now awaiting a new stock. My uncle got that shotgun for high school graduation in 1939. I may get rid of other guns but that one I value above all others.
4506517
Member
My most cherished firearm, by a long shot, is the pistol my father carried in the battle of Okinawa. It was given to him by his CO when my Dad took over the company. The pistol was with him when their unit occupied Korea after Japan surrendered. At home it was always within reach in a hidden compartment under his dresser.
He owned other pistols but this was his "serious" pistol.
Ken
Wow.....if that pistol could talk, the stories it would tell.
Syspila
Member
Wow, alot of neat firearms here. My favorite is my deceased mother's J. Stevens Tip-Up Single shot .22LR. It is in 98%-99% shape. It was given to her at a gradeschool age by her Uncle that was a "Jenny" pilot in WWI. She would shoot it in town towards a target board her Dad put on the yard side of the garage! People coming out of the side door had to let her know so she would not accidentally shoot them!
casualoffender
Member
Who knew this would be such a family thread?
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rburg
Member
My most cherished? Forget it, I gave it away! Yep. Its just way too much responsibility for me. In fact, I've given away all the family heirloom guns that came to me. No, there were others, but my brother took them and sold them. Guess he did better than me, he got cash money.
OK, the most significant was the family .45-70 Springfield. For the longest time I thought it was an 1873, but I've learned it was really an 1884. Back at the beginning of the last century, my grandmother and grandfather got married. I think it was 1904. And they had a farm. I don't have a clue how they afforded it or anything about it, except where it was. Anyway, they needed a way to kill the annual beef and pig. Money was short, so they asked advice and were told that the government was selling genuine buffalo guns, as in Springfields. And the gun was only about $2, mail order. It was how business was conducted back then. So they sent off the money and the postman dropped it off. Along with a box of shells. That cost nearly as much as the rifle.
One of the more depressing parts was there was still one original round with it. I gave it to my son along with the rifle, but he apparently has misplaced along the way.
So anyway over the years since a lot has happened. My father got his fathers gun in 1925 when my grandfather was killed in a truck crash. Yes, farm life may have sort of provided a living, but most farm folk end up taking on side work to make ends meet. And of course my father passed it along to me about when I got married. It was with me maybe from 1970 until a couple of years ago when I gave all that junk away.
When my dad died I only got 2 of his guns. His sporterized 1917 Enfield and his M12 Winchester. Yes, I gave them both to my sons. Along with their other grandfathers shotgun and 22. Its not that they didn't mean something to me, but that things like that need to be passed along. And following my fathers idea of moving them early, I gave theirs away, too.
Both sons like guns, and both have some of their grandfathers. I don't feel bad about it at all. And there is none of this "I'll never get rid of this gun". They are gone, and the monkey is off my back. But they went to the right places.
The issue of when I die (hopefully fairly soon, before it gets too ugly) has still to be decided. My wife isn't very good at following my instructions, even while I'm still here to yell about things. I might actually have some pretty darn good specimens here. But what I've told her to do is call David Carroll and tell him to drive up and take his picks, first. From being involved in a few of his other transactions, I trust him. What I'm afraid she'll do is allow the boys to cherry pick the collection. There might be good money to be had, and he will get the top dollar out of it. Then there are always guns that won't sell, or won't sell for much. Its better my son's get stuck with the dregs or my mistakes.
They shoot semi-autos anyway. Guess if I needed one of the guns I could borrow it for an outing. But I've got plenty of guns that need shooting.
OK, the most significant was the family .45-70 Springfield. For the longest time I thought it was an 1873, but I've learned it was really an 1884. Back at the beginning of the last century, my grandmother and grandfather got married. I think it was 1904. And they had a farm. I don't have a clue how they afforded it or anything about it, except where it was. Anyway, they needed a way to kill the annual beef and pig. Money was short, so they asked advice and were told that the government was selling genuine buffalo guns, as in Springfields. And the gun was only about $2, mail order. It was how business was conducted back then. So they sent off the money and the postman dropped it off. Along with a box of shells. That cost nearly as much as the rifle.
One of the more depressing parts was there was still one original round with it. I gave it to my son along with the rifle, but he apparently has misplaced along the way.
So anyway over the years since a lot has happened. My father got his fathers gun in 1925 when my grandfather was killed in a truck crash. Yes, farm life may have sort of provided a living, but most farm folk end up taking on side work to make ends meet. And of course my father passed it along to me about when I got married. It was with me maybe from 1970 until a couple of years ago when I gave all that junk away.
When my dad died I only got 2 of his guns. His sporterized 1917 Enfield and his M12 Winchester. Yes, I gave them both to my sons. Along with their other grandfathers shotgun and 22. Its not that they didn't mean something to me, but that things like that need to be passed along. And following my fathers idea of moving them early, I gave theirs away, too.
Both sons like guns, and both have some of their grandfathers. I don't feel bad about it at all. And there is none of this "I'll never get rid of this gun". They are gone, and the monkey is off my back. But they went to the right places.
The issue of when I die (hopefully fairly soon, before it gets too ugly) has still to be decided. My wife isn't very good at following my instructions, even while I'm still here to yell about things. I might actually have some pretty darn good specimens here. But what I've told her to do is call David Carroll and tell him to drive up and take his picks, first. From being involved in a few of his other transactions, I trust him. What I'm afraid she'll do is allow the boys to cherry pick the collection. There might be good money to be had, and he will get the top dollar out of it. Then there are always guns that won't sell, or won't sell for much. Its better my son's get stuck with the dregs or my mistakes.
They shoot semi-autos anyway. Guess if I needed one of the guns I could borrow it for an outing. But I've got plenty of guns that need shooting.
My most cherished firearm, by a long shot, is the pistol my father carried in the battle of Okinawa. It was given to him by his CO when my Dad took over the company. The pistol was with him when their unit occupied Korea after Japan surrendered. At home it was always within reach in a hidden compartment under his dresser.
He owned other pistols but this was his "serious" pistol.
Ken
Great history there. Is that an Old Pal knife with it? If so, did he carry it also?
David R
Member
Good reading.
Most cherished? My Dads 3" 624 he bought in the mid 80s. We both shot it and he showed me how to reload. Once I figured out I could shoot a hand gun cheap, I got my pistol permit. Bowling pin shooting was popular then and we both shot pins once a week for a couple summer seasons. Now Mom and Dad live 4 hours from me.
When I was growing up, my mom had a 22/410 she shot skeet with in the 60s. I hunted with that gun a lot. A few years ago I borrowed it from my them so my children could shoot it. Its still in my safe and I use it now and then.
I also have a Savage 222/20 I convinced my then wife to buy me for christmas in the early 80s with my money. We split up a LONG time ago, but I still have and use the savage.
I have better rifles and a nice 870 featherweight in 20 ga. I still prefer to hunt with one of those 2 0/U depending on what part of the state I am in, I can carry one or the other.
I have shot a LOT of game with those two guns including one deer running @ 135 yards with the 222/20 and a Peep sight. Yeah, I know 222 is too small for deer. It ran less than 50 yards.
Thanks for the thread
David
Most cherished? My Dads 3" 624 he bought in the mid 80s. We both shot it and he showed me how to reload. Once I figured out I could shoot a hand gun cheap, I got my pistol permit. Bowling pin shooting was popular then and we both shot pins once a week for a couple summer seasons. Now Mom and Dad live 4 hours from me.
When I was growing up, my mom had a 22/410 she shot skeet with in the 60s. I hunted with that gun a lot. A few years ago I borrowed it from my them so my children could shoot it. Its still in my safe and I use it now and then.
I also have a Savage 222/20 I convinced my then wife to buy me for christmas in the early 80s with my money. We split up a LONG time ago, but I still have and use the savage.
I have better rifles and a nice 870 featherweight in 20 ga. I still prefer to hunt with one of those 2 0/U depending on what part of the state I am in, I can carry one or the other.
I have shot a LOT of game with those two guns including one deer running @ 135 yards with the 222/20 and a Peep sight. Yeah, I know 222 is too small for deer. It ran less than 50 yards.
Thanks for the thread
David
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Eltioloco
Member
Thanks for the interest.
He bought the knife in a PX in Guam before he was flown into Okinawa. It is a Case knife. He also carried the compass shown in the picture.
He served with a heavy weapons company and spent a lot of time as a forward observer for the 81mm mortars. He served with the 7th Division.
Ken
Dick, I had to sell a number of inherited guns back in '78 to pay for cancer treatment for my late first wife. One was a model 48. I learned handgunning with that S&W, it was my fathers and I had inherited it a few years before. I started looking for it in 2004 and finally found it right here by asking for no dash 48s. After several, there it was. It had passed through numerous unknown owners, but it was in as good shape as when I sold it to a gun shop 30+ years before.My most cherished? Forget it, I gave it away! Yep. Its just way too much responsibility for me. In fact, I've given away all the family heirloom guns that came to me. No, there were others, but my brother took them and sold them. Guess he did better than me, he got cash money.
OK, the most significant was the family .45-70 Springfield. For the longest time I thought it was an 1873, but I've learned it was really an 1884. Back at the beginning of the last century, my grandmother and grandfather got married. I think it was 1904. And they had a farm. I don't have a clue how they afforded it or anything about it, except where it was. Anyway, they needed a way to kill the annual beef and pig. Money was short, so they asked advice and were told that the government was selling genuine buffalo guns, as in Springfields. And the gun was only about $2, mail order. It was how business was conducted back then. So they sent off the money and the postman dropped it off. Along with a box of shells. That cost nearly as much as the rifle.
One of the more depressing parts was there was still one original round with it. I gave it to my son along with the rifle, but he apparently has misplaced along the way.
So anyway over the years since a lot has happened. My father got his fathers gun in 1925 when my grandfather was killed in a truck crash. Yes, farm life may have sort of provided a living, but most farm folk end up taking on side work to make ends meet. And of course my father passed it along to me about when I got married. It was with me maybe from 1970 until a couple of years ago when I gave all that junk away.
When my dad died I only got 2 of his guns. His sporterized 1917 Enfield and his M12 Winchester. Yes, I gave them both to my sons. Along with their other grandfathers shotgun and 22. Its not that they didn't mean something to me, but that things like that need to be passed along. And following my fathers idea of moving them early, I gave theirs away, too.
Both sons like guns, and both have some of their grandfathers. I don't feel bad about it at all. And there is none of this "I'll never get rid of this gun". They are gone, and the monkey is off my back. But they went to the right places.
The issue of when I die (hopefully fairly soon, before it gets too ugly) has still to be decided. My wife isn't very good at following my instructions, even while I'm still here to yell about things. I might actually have some pretty darn good specimens here. But what I've told her to do is call David Carroll and tell him to drive up and take his picks, first. From being involved in a few of his other transactions, I trust him. What I'm afraid she'll do is allow the boys to cherry pick the collection. There might be good money to be had, and he will get the top dollar out of it. Then there are always guns that won't sell, or won't sell for much. Its better my son's get stuck with the dregs or my mistakes.
They shoot semi-autos anyway. Guess if I needed one of the guns I could borrow it for an outing. But I've got plenty of guns that need shooting.
45doubletap
Member
My Fave!
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