[Sgtsquid]

My father passed along his rifles to me a while back when I was lacking the maturity to care for them correctly. He gave me a Remington 721 in 30 '06 with a beautiful tiger striped stock and a pre '64 Winchester '94 with the understanding that while he's still kicking, they are still his guns but when the bucket is kicked they will be mine. Being young and dumb I thought it was OK to have the Remmy as my truck gun. A couple of hot and humid summers without tlc took there toll. The Win. wasn't much better (although Dad was partially to blame for that one). Both rifles eventually made it into my safe with a good cleaning and oiling where they remained for a while. Then one day I was showing my father one of my new acquisitions he took out the Remmy, looked at it and without saying a word put it back in the safe. The look of disappointment, although only momentarily, was evident. At that point of my life the maturity level was greatly elevated from my 20 something "all about me" mentality, I myself was a father at this point and this really opened my eyes to the importance of family history. Without telling my Dad about it I had both rifles professionally refinished by Hoosier Guns (which btw no longer does gunsmith work, shame). When the 721 came in Mom n Dad were invited over for dinner. I asked if my Dad would get my Mauser while we were in the office, so he went in to get it and came out with the 721. My father was never a man of many words, so when he looked at me and said "You did a nice job on her" I knew I had accomplished what I set out to do. His next question was typical Dad "Where the hell is the .30-30?" all was good in my world. That night he told me a few hunting stories from his younger day's with both rifles which made my day. After the '94 came back we went to the range and Dad showed all of us up with that old lever action, he quietly gloated about it. These two rifles mean the world to me, and I know some will say I destroyed the value of them by refinishing, I will politely disagree. After reading these posts I think another range day with Dad is in order.

[Dragunov]

Quote:       Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

When I look at the shell of the man I call Dad, I can only see a man in dungarees and flannel. High boots, and a skinner on his belt I now possess. A rugged, unshaven man. Master of all that is outdoors. A Magician with a skinning knife, wielded a hand axe like a surgeons tool !! No matter what went wrong with any gear belonging to anyone in our deer camp, my Dad could fix it !! Lantern, stoves, etc, my Dad could sit down and have it running in no time !! I was so proud !! I have become THAT person in honor of my Dad !! The first to gather wood, the first to build a latrine. He was the best guy you could have in a camp !! I only hope I have become that man. Every camp needs one !! And I usually cook breakfast as well !! In fish camp, my Dad brought flies and lures he made himself to share. He could disassemble a Mitchell reel around the campfire, and brought repair materials in an old metal toolbox !! He smoked a pipe with Borkhum Riff (sp?) tobacco. And I still remember him "smoking up a dime" for younger kids at the camp. A dime was big wampum in those days !! I never knew he slid the dime in before lighting it !! Good old Dad !! When I was hospitalized at McDill AFB, my Dad drove down from Indiana. He showed up bearing newly tied flies !! I asked my Dad when I would fly-fish again. He LAUGHED at me and said "as soon as you get you ass outta this bed"

I think there are a lot of little boys in this forum that hope we made our Dads proud! And hope that we can fill even a portion of their shoes.
GREAT story Alan! Thanx!