What if your gun could talk?

[BigRich]

Kcq1, no disagreement here. Shot placement is still king. And, as noted in the first response a number of infantrymen of both persuasions chose to retain their 1903's. A grand rifle.

BTW my first exposure to an issued piece was also the M-14. I guess that makes us seasoned citizens.

Just an aside here regarding the Springfield '03. Chesty Puller, a Marine's Marine, once said that "You can't hurt 'em if you don't hit 'em."
My first experience firing a centerfire rifle was with my late uncle's 1903-A3 Springfield. A rifleman's rifle, if I may be so bold. Have never fired a Garand, and have fired an M-14 many years ago when a very young Marine. I will eventually add a few true battle rifles to my collection, and the Springfield and Garand are at the top of my want list.

[Doc Nonverbal]

Well, this has the potential to be very interesting! Many thanks to Waidmann to finding Cyrenius Bradley Wisler. I did a quick search and came across a netscape ancestry board and found some relatives of Mr. Wisler. I'm considering writing a note to one of his ancestors, but I'm not interested in selling the pistol.

Decisions....decisions... I guess it couldn't hurt to write them and say that their ancestor knew how to take care of his handguns. This old gal would probably rate close to 95% bluing and doesn't have any rust. It was clearly fired a fair amount and has some minor scratches here and there along with a little muzzle wear from being in a holster, but overall it's in very nice shape.

[Waidmann]

Doc, I would simply be upfront about your reason for asking and request simple biographical information. Most descendants direct or collateral that are into genealogy are usually helpful, as far as public record type info.

To be on the safe side I probably would not volunteer info regarding make, model and serial number.

[Doc Nonverbal]

Doc, I would simply be upfront about your reason for asking and request simple biographical information. Most descendants direct or collateral that are into genealogy are usually helpful, as far as public record type info.

To be on the safe side I probably would not volunteer info regarding make, model and serial number.

That is sound wisdom. Thank you for sharing it. I suppose there is always the possibility that the ancestors could falsely claim that the gun was stolen.

[1 old 0311]

Doc, I would simply be upfront about your reason for asking and request simple biographical information. Most descendants direct or collateral that are into genealogy are usually helpful, as far as public record type info.

To be on the safe side I probably would not volunteer info regarding make, model and serial number.

EXCELLENT advice.

[LOBO]

This is a Pre-Victory, South African contract gun. It was in the first shipment of guns that were destined for South Africa. However, due to the loss of arms & munitions suffered by the British at Dunkirk, the shipment was turned around and sent to England instead. The gun also has "D Smith" carved into the bottom of one of the grips. I would like to know who "D Smith" is, and where they were, and what they were doing when they carved their name into the grip.










This Safety Hammerless 3rd model in .38 S&W worked for the United States Express Company. It shipped from S&W on July 1, 1892 and was delivered to Hartley & Graham Co. in New York City, NY. The United States Express Company, which operated from 1854 to 1914, was a privately owned company that forwarded parcels and freight. The company served the northern states from New England west to Colorado. There is just no telling what this 'ol gal would say.....

[David Lapell]

Alot of guns talk to me, usually when they are behind a glass or on a table at a gun show. They all say "buy me! buy me!"

[gygaz59]

My Grandma worked at the Biltmore back in the thirty,s and fourties. To bad she is gone now so I can't ask her if she knew this man. I bet she did.

[MOONDAWG]

If mine could talk, they'd ask me why a don't shoot them enough...