McThag has some pictures up of the cheap .32 Revolvers his grandparents had when they ran a Gas Station.
Go have a look. And for gun snobs, a old .32 Wheelie is better than harsh words, or vigorous prayer. And while McThag says the guns have zero intrinsic value I suspect you’d have to break out a pretty meaty wad before he’d even consider making a transfer.
On a similar note My Father-in-Law still has an old S&W .357 snub-nose. (It’s probably a Model 13, but he’s not the geek that I am…he just calls it a .357) It was his carry gun back when he was a Vermont Criminal Defense Attorney…a line of work that got him rubbing elbows with unsavory people, and probably had a few of them not liking him much at all.
It being Vermont his talking about the gun is interesting as it show the way life should be, and hopefully will be again for most of America. He had a gun, he knew how to shoot it. Sometimes he was concerned about the safety of himself and his family, so he’d bring the gun with him. No permits, no paperwork, no permission slips. And no problem.
The action on the gun is a bit rough, and the trigger is QUITE heavy (I suspect around #15) and he’s occasionally mentioned selling it for something he’d feel a better affinity for. I always tell him if he wants rid of that gun, to name his price and I’ll pay it and arrange a transfer. I can’t imagine anybody paying more than $300 for it, and probably at a gun shop, pawn shop, or gun show he’d get a lot less than that…but its my Father-in-Law’s carry gun. Why would I want that in the hands of a stranger?
Certain things are just too valuable that money isn’t the first thing considered.
Old Smith and Wesson Snubbie in .357? Probably worth a LOT more than you think. Just check out what Smith is charging for their “Classic” Series in their Catalog, then remember, the Weekend Warriors at the Gun Show will take the exact same thing, but 40 years older, and drop 50 bucks off the MSRP for that Model on their table. Of course, they’ll only GIVE you the Scrap Steel Price for “that old piece of junk,” but, hey Capitalism is Capitalism.
Of course, you could make him Happy by lending him a Spare (NEVER take a Gun from Someone and leave them Unarmed!), then taking it in to the Ye Olde Gun Shoppe for a Cleaning and Tune Up, then hit the range with him before you return it. He’d probably appreciate it, and you’ll have some “Quality Time” with him also. He’ll probably need some fresh Ammo for it also.
As for those Old .32’s, I betcha there’s a Lady out in Indianapolis who could do some “Serious Work” with them, so I wouldn’t discount their utility.
Keep it in the family!
My stepmother gave my Dad’s Colt Vest Pocket .25 (which had been HIS dad’s-a railroad policeman’s backup!) away, instead of asking me.
There was also a bolt-action single shot .22 J.C. Higgins rifle. Now missing.
Oh man! Sad story! And a Railroad Policeman, that’s a chunk of old history. Shame. Think you could track it down and make an offer to the new owner? I have one of those Colt .25s and they’re neat guns.
You are going to goad me into doing an old family iron post, arent you ?
Sir, consider yourself goaded.
GOAD.
Oh, and Weerd, whatever your FIL wants for that Smith, if you can’t come up with it, I’ll front you the cash.
Heh, no worries, I can always dip into the Family strategic reserve for it if need be.
He’s quieted down on it, which suggests to me we’ll be getting in when we settle his estate, which I hope is decades from now.
Understood, brother. Just wanted you to know I had your back even if things were tough.
Keep it in the family, period…