THIS RATTY OLD REVOLVER

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 1,024]

There's nothing to distinguish it.

A slender barrel, ratty looking old model 10 Smith with Pachmayr grips and what used to be a nickle finish that now looks like it was chawed by chemical beavers or something.

I'm going to shoot it today.

As near as I can tell, it'll be the first time in better than a decade it's had fire in its belly.

It belonged to my daughter.

Nancy had blue eyes and apple cheeks, a ready laugh and when she went through the same police academy as I, she benefited from my experience.

I knew they used absolutely the cheapest, filthiest practice ammunition for qualification: bullets were pure lead, probably cut from lead rope and slammed into a die, six rounds and the bore looked like it had silver icicles.

When she shot qualification I fixed her up with half-jacket SWCs loaded to the same velocity.

The rangemaster was used to seeing patterns, not groups; at fifteen feet, dinner plate spread was a good group ... he went down the row of holed silhouettes, "Not bad, not bad, not bad, hel-LO!" -- he looked at a tea saucer sized group and then looked at Nancy, and she turned a little red and said "My dad's Linn Keller," and the rangemaster gave an approving "Um-HUM!", replaced the stub of a smoldering stogie between his teeth, and went on down the line.

Nancy slipped out of her dying body seven years ago today, pancreatic cancer, so today I'm taking her revolver out for some exercise.

It's just a ratty old revolver, nothing to distinguish it, but I'll not willingly part with it.

[DocWard 3,093]

Enjoy your time with her.

[Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 343]

Bless you,Linn

[Perro Del Diablo 697]

That little revolver is special and 1 of a kind. I think it is priceless.

[Smoky Pistols 475]

I'd shoot it too--if'n I didn't have this whatever it is in my eyes right now!  Blessings, Linn. 

[LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L 638]

I have a couple of guns, and other items that were dear to lost friends and family.  I visit with them every time I hold those cherished objects.  

 

Enjoy your time today.  

[Michigan Slim 1,934]

A prayer for you and your Nancy brother. 

I shoot my dad's 94 Winchester on long range every month. I say "We did it Pa!" or "Sorry Pa" every month. I get it. 

[Finagler 6853 Life 211]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you.  A touching tribute.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935 3,478]

She'll enjoy the trip with her Pa, even if she can't be there in person.

 

Enjoy it for both of you.

 

Ak her to say "hi" to my Shawna if she should come across her.

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth 5,071]

Linn:

    

[Pat Riot, SASS #13748 10,822]

My condolences, Linn. Enjoy your day in remembrance of Nancy. 

[Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 1,233]

Lynn, I hope that you enjoy your time with your daughter. I am certain she will be looking over your shoulder every shot and smiling. May God bless you both. 

[Utah Bob #35998 7,967]

Yeah. I know.

[Subdeacon Joe 12,947]

Sad, but wonderful,  tale.  Thank you for sharing it with us.  

 

May her memory be eternal. 

[Sixgun Sheridan 2,455]

Sorry for your loss, Linn. It's been nearly ten years since I lost my Old Man, and I still feel his presence when I heft the old M1 Garand he and I would go out shooting together.

[Captain Clark 521]

Nancy's looking over yer shoulder and helping you aim my friend.

Hope you enjoy being out with yer daughter today !

[Blackwater 53393 2,761]

I hope ya let that piece roar!!

[Dustin Checotah 179]

Nice tribute to your daughter. Sorry for your loss. I have a few firearms of my own like yours.

[Rye Miles #13621 3,339]

Condolences on your daughter, I didn't know!

 

Enjoy the memory of her that will be brought on by firing that gun!