Remembering a Gift

hunter5425

hunter5425

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
Regina SK
In 1988 my wife's great uncle Bert gifted me a Parker shotgun on his 100th birthday. He and I had become close as he told me stories of his youth in England and homesteading in North Battleford Sask in 1908 ( he lost all in a forest fire and moved to Regina). He never married and doted on his nieces , nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He passed in 1996 just days short of his 108th birthday .My wife was his favorite grand niece and my daughter his favorite great grand niece and for 2 years after his death he arranged Christmas presents to be sent to them from a trust ( the presents included three 1 carrot diamonds.) I think of him every time I take my favorite shotgun out for a walk.

 
is this the "evil gun culture" we are constantly told about? Sounds like great families, great lessons and great people to me.

You should be proud
 
Nice history behind the gun and great to see/hear that you still cherish it. I have just received a gun that will hold the same type of memories/sentimental value. My Uncle had a Browning Superposed 20 gauge. He passed away at 92 a few years ago and my dad got the gun. Last weekend my dad gave it to me. It is eerie strange but I have had several over/unders and none really fit/suited me so they all were moved along. This Superposed fits like it was made for me, shouldering perfectly every time I throw it up. It will remain in the family as I already know what great nephew it will be going to.
 
What a great story!! You are fortunate to have had the opportunity to know " Uncle Bert" I hope you'll be able to continue the tradition when you are to old to carry that fine old shotgun.
 
We spent many hours together, he told me that the day he was born Jack the Ripper killed one of his victims!!. He gave his take on the start of WW1 and the hunt for the mad trapper as just some of the things we talked about, he truly lived through it all from the Wright brothers to landing a man on the moon. He was an English gentleman in the truest sense of the word, I miss our talks and his take on world events.
 
hunter5425 said:
We spent many hours together, he told me that the day he was born Jack the Ripper killed one of his victims!!. He gave his take on the start of WW1 and the hunt for the mad trapper as just some of the things we talked about, he truly lived through it all from the Wright brothers to landing a man on the moon. He was an English gentleman in the truest sense of the word, I miss our talks and his take on world events.
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He sounds like a wonderful gentleman, treasure the memories of the time you spent with him.
 
There is something truly special about a family heirloom that brings back memories of people we have lost. Things like this have a value that money cant touch.
 
Great family history. People have questioned me on the restoration work being done to that old utility shotgun (old thread) as it was basically worthless and upon complete restoration maybe $150. You get it, the value is not monetary but family, which has no price. Solid family memories are what carries us through the tough times. Your uncle got cleaned out by a fire and lived a great life without bitterness due to his hardship. A person to follow.
 
You got the fourth diamond.
Most excellent.

Jack the Ripper stories first hand, bet them ears were perked.

Thanks for this great thread.
 
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