Well almost! Maybe better? In 1945 my Dad came home from WWII with a Colt 1911A1 tucked in his sea bag. While growing up, I always admired that pistol. Today when I came across a Springfield G.I. at my local FFL, I thought of Dad and couldn't pass it up. Dropped a deposit on it and should have it home in a week. My Dad is 88 years old now and sadly now facing an even bigger battle than he did in WWII, this time he's battling cancer. I guess that may have influenced me a bit.
Don

I've got Dad's shoulder holster for a 1911 from WW2 (he was a USAAF pilot) but he didn't keep the pistol. It hasn't been too long ago that I bought my first 1911, a Taurus that doesn't fit the holster well due to the extended ambidextrous safety levers.

I wish your Dad and you the best.

I wish your father all the best.

Dimitri

The next time you see your father please shake his hand and thank him fore me ! We owe all the WWII vets a dept that cant be repaid!!!!!
are hopes and prayers are with you and your dad.

enjoy that new shooter!

My Great-grampa was an MP and I'd love to own his .45 .On the other side my Dad's father was a Canuck soldier and I'd love to own his Lee-Enfield[if could find either].

allenpmw wrote:

The next time you see your father please shake his hand and thank him fore me ! We owe all the WWII vets a dept that cant be repaid!!!!! are hopes and prayers are with you and your dad. enjoy that new shooter!

Ditto from me....

That Springer GI model is kinda neato aint it?

As Stovepipe said BB...like wise from me mate.

My Dad went through cancer...and he beat it, but it was the six heart attacks and two minor strokes that finally beat him.

The old buggers of the last generation are as tough as nails mate...so don't give up on him...I know he won't. Either way mate, my prayers are with him.

Cheers, Vince

Guys, thanks so much for all your kind thoughts, it sure means a lot to me.
Vince your right about that generation being a bunch of tough old birds. They'd have to be to survive a childhood in the depression and then being submitted to WWII.
Don

Big Blue, tell your dad thanks for me also, and tell him that our thoughts and prayers go with him.

It is one of the great compliments and an honor to our fathers when we connect with firearms dear to them. Some are inherited, or, in some cases we find similar examples. As generations extend, these firearms outlast their original buyers and owners and become heirlooms, an extension of the living to those that have gone on before.

Big Blue: I add my encouragement and empathy to your father's condition. We all will face the Grim Reaper eventually, but, we grasp for life dearly. Hunting and its perspective gives us fortitude in tough times, IMO. My best to you and yours.

Sentimental value cannot be calculated.
Two years ago I went squirrel hunting with my brother and he told me I was going to use our dads old JC Higgins 12 ga. pump (this brother had been told years earlier he would get that gun). I was excited. It was the first time I ever shot it, and we bagged a mess of squirrels that day.

I have my dads orange/tan field jacket he wore when he hunted pheasant and squirrel. Every fall I find an excuse to wear it at least part of the day while hunting small game.