Aristotle Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) This is a thread I wrote 3 years ago. I'm rehashing it as it's my fathers Birthday today, Feb 2nd. Something else I should add is, this event was probably what helped get my interest back at shooting handguns, and competitive shooting. And likely the reason I am where I am today. Flash back to 96'. I was moving out on my own, the first day I am moved into my apartment, I get a call from my father, stating he is coming by to visit me. My dad walks in, with a brown paper bag in tow. He starts off with the spiel that he's proud of me growing up, and then comes in with the essentials of defending myself. Out of the bag, he pulls out a snubbie, a Rossi 88 snub nose .38 and a box of shells. I come from very humble family, and this is likely the best he could afford at the time. Flash forward a few weeks, I'm at a party, meet up with an old high school friend, and we get to catching up. We end up hanging out a lot, and after some time, I find out he isn't doing so well, so I invite him to stay with me until he can get back on his feet. A week later, I come home to an empty house, empty of my .38 and some clothes and food. My then good friend, had disappeared, along with my stuff. This was back in 1996. Now flash forward to 2007. I am married, with my own home. My father had passed away in February 6, 2005 from complications from a triple bi pass surgery at Swedish Hospital. I go to the mailbox to find a letter from the Seattle Police department. I rush back to my house and open the letter. Apparently they recovered my pistol and was asking me if I still wanted it. I call the detective about my firearm. He explains it is "beyond hope of repair" and was telling me I was better off allowing them to destroy the firearm. I decline, and explain that it had sentimental value and that regardless of condition, I would like to retain the firearm. He agrees, and gives me instructions on getting my pistol back. So I go to the evidence unit in Seattle, and as I am signing paper work, I read further detail of the recovery. It was recovered 2 years on the anniversary of my fathers death, February 6th, 2007. And the location of where it was located, was directly across the street from the hospital where my father breathed his last breath. I bring the gun home and it does appear to be in horrible shape. Which is a given since it was buried in the soft fertile Seattle soil for close to 10 years. After some elbow grease, a whole lot of CLP and a new cylinder. The timing is a little off because all I did was swap out the cylinder. And I just found out my firing pin on the hammer is broken. So it's been retired from CCW use. I'm hoping to one day find a revolver Gunsmith that won't laugh at me for wanting to repair it. I'd like to be able to fix it so I can shoot it once again. But in the end, it's nice to still have it. This is probably one of the only things of any significance I have from my father. Of all of my high dollar guns in my safe, this is the most important one to me. I miss you Dad. Edited February 2, 2010 by Aristotle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob D Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Very cool story Aristotle. It's awesome that you got the gun back and even better that you've fixed it up that much. My dad gave me my first pistol as well, and I would be furious if I lost it. I'm glad you got your gun back and that you'll have to it around to remind of your Dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Wow, thats awesome you got it back after such a long period of time! even if you dont get it to "working" condition, that fact that you have it back has to be a good feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Great story! I enjoyed the read and am glad that you took the time to get it back to its original shape! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Awesome story, finish fix it it, and shoot a match with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanky Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betterment Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Neat story and thanks for sharing. Hopefully some one here will be able to help you with the final repair. Glad you got your gun back Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigpops Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Ari...always knew you were a class act. Awesome story, Thanks for sharing with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Thank you for sharing that with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classic_jon Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Great story and thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Bell Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Great Story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Awesome story! Why not post it to the Revolver forum as well, and see if you can find a revolversmith to put the final polish on it, back into fireable condition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noypi916 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogiebb Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Great story dude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aristotle Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 The gun represents for me, a lesson my father drilled into me, ever since I was a kid. And that was, my personal security belonged only to myself. My father grew up as an orphan. Him and his brother were homeless at the age of 12 and lived on the streets. Needless to say, my father had to grow up "tough". He always told me, never to rely on anyone else. When the SHTF, you only have yourself, and your own protection, always watch your back. "you have to take care of yourself, and someday, your family." "You are a man, you are my SON." He's likely the reason, why I am so Pro 2A. And something I will definitely pass down to my own children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Great story. I enjoyed the read, thanks for sharing. I have a Rossi just like that one!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Lord Gomer Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Very cool! Like you, my most meaningful gun in the safe is a gun I rarely shoot, but was given to me by my father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L-10_shooter Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Great story and hope you are able to get that Rossi running again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Awesome story! Why not post it to the Revolver forum as well, and see if you can find a revolversmith to put the final polish on it, back into fireable condition? Aristotle: Not only will I be happy to help you out with your Rossi, but under these extraordinary circumstances I wouldn't dream of charging you for it! If you would like to proceed, the information for shipping me your gun are located on my dealer forum here: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=192 Sometimes locating parts for guns like this can be a challenge. But I think I have located the hand, hammer nose spring and rivet--which are most of the parts I would need to get it up and running for you again. I'm still looking for a hammer nose--Numrich is out of stock, but I have a couple other sources to check. If not, it may be possible to fabricate a suitable replacement from a hammer nose from another model. We'll figure it out. My own most treasured firearm is also a .38 snubby, an old Chief's Special that my grandfather and dad both carried on duty. My 17-year-old son Sam (who is named after my grandfather) asks me to get it out of the safe every now and then, just to look at it and remember the times he spent as a young boy with his great-grandpa..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZip Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 That is just great! Thanks for sharing. Mike you are one class act! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Egan Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Wow, what a fantastic offer from a stand-up guy. Kudos to you Carmoney. Ari, very nice story with a happy ending, glad that you got the treasure back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aristotle Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 wow, I'm really lost for words. The generosity of this board is unbelievable. I can only hope to one day pay this forward. Thank you very much for the offer Mike, I'd love to take you up on it. I went from pawn shop gunsmiths telling me to toss the gun, to having the best in the business offering to do the work. This means a whole lot to me, more than you will ever know. ari b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigpops Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Awesome story! Why not post it to the Revolver forum as well, and see if you can find a revolversmith to put the final polish on it, back into fireable condition? Aristotle: Not only will I be happy to help you out with your Rossi, but under these extraordinary circumstances I wouldn't dream of charging you for it! If you would like to proceed, the information for shipping me your gun are located on my dealer forum here: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=192 Sometimes locating parts for guns like this can be a challenge. But I think I have located the hand, hammer nose spring and rivet--which are most of the parts I would need to get it up and running for you again. I'm still looking for a hammer nose--Numrich is out of stock, but I have a couple other sources to check. If not, it may be possible to fabricate a suitable replacement from a hammer nose from another model. We'll figure it out. My own most treasured firearm is also a .38 snubby, an old Chief's Special that my grandfather and dad both carried on duty. My 17-year-old son Sam (who is named after my grandfather) asks me to get it out of the safe every now and then, just to look at it and remember the times he spent as a young boy with his great-grandpa..... Speaking of class acts..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Antichrome Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thank you for this thread. After reading it, I spent some time thinking of my Dad, who passed away recently. I then spent some time with the guns I got from him both before and after he passed. Some nice, some not so nice, some valuable, some not, all priceless. This thread also reminded me of the support I received from my gun buddies. Folks I barely know off the range attended my Dads funeral. Everyone says "If there's anything I can do..." but some actually mean it. Gun people, wow, can't beat 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Ari, thanks for sharing! Mike, what a generous and totally characteristic offer! I don't know why I'm still amazed by the members here, but I am.... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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