First Guns and other Heirlooms

[twaits]

I visited my Father this weekend and brought home my first gun ever and another Heirloom.

The gun is nothing special. A Hopkins and Allen "Forehand D.A." .38, one of thousands made that you could buy from Sears and Roebuck 100 years ago for about $1.50. But it represents the gun that started it all for me. Once I had that gun it seems like I just couldn't soak up enough knowledge about firearms. An obsession that follows me to this day and always will. I think I was 12 or 13 at the time. It was just one of many old revolvers in a drawer in the attic that didn't mean much to him so he told me to take it. I left it back home when I first moved away and never grabbed it but being the sentimental sap that I am I really wanted to have it with my collection.

The old compass is also very important...even more so. Dad handed it to me and said "you probably ought to have this now too". That compass probably goes back over 200 years. In the lid are scratched the initials of 6 men. The first being my Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather. The last being my Father. My initials go on next. It gives me chills just to hold it in my hand. The initials are for Joseph Winter, William Winter, Melvin Winter, Lewie Winter, Harold Winter and William C. Winter...my father.

So this thread is for anyone who still has their very first gun and would like to post pictures of it. And any other important heirlooms they want to put in the picture.

[Frank V]

Twaits
First thanks for sharing with us. That handgun is special, & it's special because it belonged to your Father. Our Parents guns are very special. The compass is also special. Cherish them both.
Thanks Frank

[Wyatt Burp]

I love this subject and your appreciation of this stuff. I have a bunch but here's a few. I threw in the compass because you had one in your repitoir of heartfelt items.
Here's the Win. 92 44-40 my dad traded a Luger for in the late 50's. The gun most associated with my family growing up. When my dad was a merchant marine another guy gave him this compass which came off a lifeboat at the time (WW11). My dad was 17 as he lied about his age. Also two of my grandads cigar cases. He died in 1980 at 101. Also a wooden chain my dad carved out of pine. He smoked a cigar every second of the day. There's his last cigar there. and a ring he won in a poker game on the China Sea during the war. Thanks for bringing this up and I hope there 's more examples of cherished heirlooms.

[twaits]

Wyatt,

Excellent picture! Thanks for posting. Hopefully lots of people will participate. The most meaningful objects we all own are the things that are passed down from our loved ones.

[ClintB]

These were my Dad's Cowboy action shooting guns. I own the 94 Trapper and my son now owns the Vaquero. Dad also put the kit knife together for me for Christmas one year.

[Derry 1946]

Gentlemen -- thanks for sharing these pics. That's a whole lot of beautiful history.

Derry

[twaits]

I'm going to try to get this one going again. It sort of lost steam and my picture had dissappeared. It's back again.
I'm hoping to see more people's first guns.

[Blademan]

Gentlemen,
I enjoy reading your stories and of course the photos, I can not get enough. My interest in guns and knives goes back to when I was a little boy, growing up in the City of Plainfield , New Jersey. I had every sort of toy gun that you could think of. My dad did not own a firearm, or hunt. My dad was in the war, and other then hearing some stories about Germany or Italy, dad really did not like to talk about the war. He did not bring home any SS daggers, or Lugers. I never shot a gun, or hunted until I went away to college. So, after college I decided to join the police force in the city of Plainfield. So my very first gun was a department issued S&W model 10 4 inch ,38. Upon my graduation from the police academy My mom and dad presented me with my own S&W model 60 .38. Dad passed away about 20 years ago when my son was 7 months old. I retired fours years ago as Chief of Detectives, I have gone through a ton of guns my friends, but this one is always with me. Thanks for letting me ramble.

[Wyatt Burp]

Gentlemen,
I enjoy reading your stories and of course the photos, I can not get enough. My interest in guns and knives goes back to when I was a little boy, growing up in the City of Plainfield , New Jersey. I had every sort of toy gun that you could think of. My dad did not own a firearm, or hunt. My dad was in the war, and other then hearing some stories about Germany or Italy, dad really did not like to talk about the war. He did not bring home any SS daggers, or Lugers. I never shot a gun, or hunted until I went away to college. So, after college I decided to join the police force in the city of Plainfield. So my very first gun was a department issued S&W model 10 4 inch ,38. Upon my graduation from the police academy My mom and dad presented me with my own S&W model 60 .38. Dad passed away about 20 years ago when my son was 7 months old. I retired fours years ago as Chief of Detectives, I have gone through a ton of guns my friends, but this one is always with me. Thanks for letting me ramble.

Your dad might not have been a gun owner but your parents really knew what they were doing and gave you the perfect gun for off-duty back then. Thanks for showing it.

[twaits]

Blademan, That's a great little gun. Perfect carry piece and nice story.Thanks for sharing.
I have a pre-36 that is similar. I love it. A really slick little gun.