Before I get to the sentimental family hand-me-down, a little background is in order.
Over this past year my tastes have evolved into a greater appreciation for things with age, texture, and a well-worn patina. From tools to boots to bags, I've dropped plastic for wood, nylon for leather, and cordura for canvas. Of course this appreciation bled over into guns.
More recently I've been wanting to add a wheel gun to my limited stable. I was looking for a mid-century S&W J-Frame with some character. I didn't want a new Airweight or anything too shiny. In fact if I could save some money by getting something with some finish wear I'd be all the happier.
After some light research I had come across a few interesting examples, but nothing that turned my head.
This past week I had the opportunity to join lovemywoods as we traveled to visit my Grandparents. It is my Grandfather I credit with my love for firearms. He's been a collector for many years, and I have fond memories of talking guns and listening to him tell stories about how he acquired each one. You may remember him from this story: https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...three-bullets-could-have-changed-my-life.html
With my Grandma in the kitchen preparing dinner, lovemywoods and I again had the opportunity to peruse Grandpa's collection. He went through each one, sharing the guns' history and significance, telling us when and where he found them. Some I remembered immediately, others I had forgotten about. After looking at Colts and S&Ws and Hi Standards, a Nambu and 2 Silver Star 1911s, big revolvers and small autos, he pulled something out of the safe I'd never seen before.
Before he had even removed the gun from its case my ears perked up when he said "odd finish wear". What could this be?
Imagine my surprise when he pulled out an old model snubbie Colt revolver! It was awesome! It was EXACTLY the kind of thing that I'd been searching for. Not only that, but it also had the added bonus of being something in my Grandpa's collection. Then he really made my week when he said I could take it home!
So here she is.
It's a 1923 Colt Police Positive Special. It originally had a 6" barrel, but someone later swapped in a shorter barrel from a "Bankers Special" (which can be seen stamped on the barrel). I'm not sure what has happened to the bluing over the years, but I'm leaving it as is. I like it.
In 1991 Grandpa sent off for a historical letter from Colt. I thought it was cool that it had originally shipped to a hardware store in Indianapolis.
I haven't shot it yet, and its killing me. I might try to sneak down to lovemywoods' sometime soon to throw a few rounds downrange. I'll be sure to update this thread when I do.
Guns are cool, but family is cooler. And I'm very blessed to be able to join the two. I plan to keep this Colt in the safe until I'm as old as Grandpa.
Over this past year my tastes have evolved into a greater appreciation for things with age, texture, and a well-worn patina. From tools to boots to bags, I've dropped plastic for wood, nylon for leather, and cordura for canvas. Of course this appreciation bled over into guns.
More recently I've been wanting to add a wheel gun to my limited stable. I was looking for a mid-century S&W J-Frame with some character. I didn't want a new Airweight or anything too shiny. In fact if I could save some money by getting something with some finish wear I'd be all the happier.
After some light research I had come across a few interesting examples, but nothing that turned my head.
This past week I had the opportunity to join lovemywoods as we traveled to visit my Grandparents. It is my Grandfather I credit with my love for firearms. He's been a collector for many years, and I have fond memories of talking guns and listening to him tell stories about how he acquired each one. You may remember him from this story: https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...three-bullets-could-have-changed-my-life.html
With my Grandma in the kitchen preparing dinner, lovemywoods and I again had the opportunity to peruse Grandpa's collection. He went through each one, sharing the guns' history and significance, telling us when and where he found them. Some I remembered immediately, others I had forgotten about. After looking at Colts and S&Ws and Hi Standards, a Nambu and 2 Silver Star 1911s, big revolvers and small autos, he pulled something out of the safe I'd never seen before.
Before he had even removed the gun from its case my ears perked up when he said "odd finish wear". What could this be?
Imagine my surprise when he pulled out an old model snubbie Colt revolver! It was awesome! It was EXACTLY the kind of thing that I'd been searching for. Not only that, but it also had the added bonus of being something in my Grandpa's collection. Then he really made my week when he said I could take it home!
So here she is.
It's a 1923 Colt Police Positive Special. It originally had a 6" barrel, but someone later swapped in a shorter barrel from a "Bankers Special" (which can be seen stamped on the barrel). I'm not sure what has happened to the bluing over the years, but I'm leaving it as is. I like it.
In 1991 Grandpa sent off for a historical letter from Colt. I thought it was cool that it had originally shipped to a hardware store in Indianapolis.
I haven't shot it yet, and its killing me. I might try to sneak down to lovemywoods' sometime soon to throw a few rounds downrange. I'll be sure to update this thread when I do.
Guns are cool, but family is cooler. And I'm very blessed to be able to join the two. I plan to keep this Colt in the safe until I'm as old as Grandpa.
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Looking forward to hearing how she shoots!
