Pap was my father's father. I know his name but he was always Pap.
He was born in 1898 in Chucky, TN. He was orphaned and raised by his kin. They called him "Swammy" until he was 5 years old and they finally decided to give an off icial name of Edward.
Pap bought this shotgun at an old General Store in Chucky, TN approx. 1920. A fellow mail orded it (imagine that), but decided that he didn't want it, or couldn't afford it. Pap, then in his early 20's had a bit of cash and got it for a $20 dollar bill, not cheap, but a good price.
As you can see, my family has gotten it's money's worth out of this old gun. It still functions just fin, in spite of it's rough appearance.
I could refinish this old warrior but that would wipe away four generations of honest use by my family. I've decided to keep it oiled real well and treasure every marks on her in remberance of my ancestors that have gone on before:
mitch I would leave it as is and hang it over the mantle. I like going into gun shops and the first thing I do is look at the guns traded in or pawned.
I'll heft them and look them over and wonder what history they have or could tell.
Some I've seen I would of have loved to have bought, to give them a final resting place kinda...A.H
Most excellent to have something that was owned by a family member, especially one of Grandpas. Hang on to it, and maybe as A.H. suggests, leave it as is, with all it's character and stories, if it could tale, and hang it on a wall. Glad you got to have it.
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
Mitch, you have the right idea. Keep it, display it, and be constantly reminded of your heritage. Tell your children all you know about it so in time they can pass this information to their children.
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I support Arizona
Man, when I was a young'un I toted my dad's old Browning 12 a lotta miles, hunting quail, pheasants, ducks, & doves. That was a heavy sumbitch! He always preferred his Sweet Sixteen, it was a few pounds lighter. My oldest bro has the 12, another bro has the 16, and I have his Rem. 700 30-06.
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I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in!
