I plan on giving useful things to folks who can appreciate and use them, otherwise they'll just end up in an attic or pawn shop.

I have 2 firearms that will be passed to my son or hopefully a grandson or grandaughter one day. First is a .38 S&W revolver that my grandfather carried as chief deputy sheriff during the Depression (the first one !) and later as head of security for a factory during WWII. He told my dad that it was never fired in anger, but don't be afraid to use it if necessary.

The other is a CZ-27 7.65mm automatic with Nazi stampings that my uncle brought back from Germany after WWII. It is still like new. He gave it to me before he passed away since he knew his son who lived in New York City would get rid of it immediately since he is an anti and a liberal wuss. I also have a Mauser 98 that he gave me that I have offered to his grandson, but has declined it since he is even more liberal and lives in Canada.

When I come closer to the end of my hunting days, I plan to start my pass along early so they go to the person I want, not some estate sale.

My dad hunts with a pre-64 'rifleman's rifle' he got from his dad, and will hopefully pass to me. True it's a great shooter and the quintessential bolt-action, but it's more the sentimentality that draws me too it. Imagine the stories of adventure and camaraderie some old guns out there could tell.

My Dad didn't have many material things to pass on to me. He did pass on the love of family, Love of other people, the outdoors, and hunting. Pretty much in that order. Couldn't ask for more.

Great story. I treasure everything I rec'd from my Grandfather in 1976 when he passed away. Him and I were the only ones in the family with a passion for the outdoors so we connected differently. I wish I had spent more time with him but when you are young you don't think like that. I often walk the woods holding his gun or wade a stream with one of his fly rods and wonder if we are sharing the same feelings and emotions spawned by the chase.

On the flip side, my grandmother on my mothers side gave everything away when she turned 75 thinking she wouldn't be around much longer. She's 104 years old now and I often ask her if she wants it back. :)

I have my dad's old Winchester model 50 shotgun and a Kabar that went thru WWII with his cousin. Somehow there's a conection when you hold a gun or knife that your deceased loved one held and hunted with. I rarely use them for fear of loss or damage and my son probably has no use for them. Probably will just give them to a friend some day.

Back in the late '70s we were a family of Arizona transplants living in Idaho. I was the only one in the family born there, hence the name. My dad had friends that hunted an bought a couple of deer rifles. I don't even remember what they were. He sold them when he lost his job and had to buy food for us kids. He never go to hand them down to my brothers and I, but I won't soon forget the sacrafice. He never hunted again. I never hunted with him. I'm doing my best to hunt with my son and will pass everything on to him and let him distribute it to grandkids, etc. I have no plans on selling anything, but if I do, either way I pass on a legacy.

Spud

Jeff4066,

That's a nice story. I had the same sort of situation when father passed. Luckily I had his 30-06 at my house because i had been hunting with it some the season before he passed. I also have three deer mounts that were his. Every time I look at those mounts it reminds me of those hunts because we were hunting together for every one of them. Couldn't think of a better reminder to have!

This reminds me of a little story in F&S about a guide who took a dying man on his last hunt. He had the time of his life there, and died just days after. These things are the definition of bittersweet.

My very best friend taught me to hunt like a gentleman, load my own ammo with the precision of a scientist, never to judge other, respect ladies and always love my family and my friends. My mentor was 67 years old when I met him and I was a very wet behind the ears 16. Laurice was the reason I love the outdoors and wildlife as much as I do. One day he gave the me the old fixed blade he carried whenever he left his house for any type of hunting or fishing trip. About two weeks later my friend died.The blade remains razor sharp, honed the way he taught me, on my hunting belt. I'm constantly reminded of Laurice and all the things he gave me whenever I use his most treasured gift.

Ok I think I can see to type now. I am lucky in that no one in the family wanted any of the stuff from my grandpa "Big Daddy" that I did.
I have his old Winchester .22, a couple of Navy issue swiss army type knives, a bunch of old school tools and a collection of books on art, travel and every subject under the sun from metallurgy to mushrooms. While he was alive he taught me how to paddle a canoe, pitch a tent, build a fire, sharpen a knife, clean a northern, a weave a net and leave every campsite clean and with a bark shingled bundle of wood for the next arrival. There wasn't much he couldn't do. I cherish every moment that I spent with him. God I miss you Big Daddy and I wish we had had more time, can't see again gotta go.

Given the time to consider it (which is something of a gift, depending on your psychological perspective or world view), you can choose who will receive the things you'll leave behind because - let's face it - you can't take it with you. Don't wait until you run out of time to consider these issues...who matters, what matters. My father wasn't a shooter, not really an outdoorsman at all. I've been able to share quality time and the shooting sports with my son, and I've asked him which of my rifles he admires most. I've made arrangements to set two rifles and their accessories aside for him. The disposition of other things has already been addressed in writing. Appreciate every moment of your life, and pick those with whom you share your time. Spend less time in front of the television, and more time in discussion over coffee or dinner. Take a stroll after dinner and enjoy a sunset. Learn something about a coworker or friend today by listening; you'll get your chance to talk. It's often a GIFT simply to listen. Treat every day of your life as though you were running out of time. I say these things from the perspective of 60+ years, and I understand the perspective of those who think they have more tomorrows than yesterdays, but I urge you not to take time for granted.

My father passed away at age 78 last December. His absolute passion was whitetail hunting in Minnesota. He started hunting whitetails in 1940 and only missed seasons during his 4 year military stint during the Korean War. His health was failing terribly last November and we all assumed he would miss the deer season. We were wrong, he somehow mustered the strength to go. It was hard and I was worried - and now it is the memory that we all hold near and dear. His stories about the "old timers" he knew and hunted with in the 40's were something to hear. We will re-tell some of these many times in deer camps in years to come.

I now possess his Enfield 30-06 that he bought when he was 16, to hear him tell the story about that gun made you understand how proud he was of it. He moved on to a Remington Model 81 auto in .35 Remington, he called it "the club" and then to a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. His last gun was a Remington 7400. These guns all took their fair share of whitetails over the years. The Enfield has probably not been fired in 50 years.

I now own them, I plan on leaving my fancy pants Bolt actions at home until I take at least one deer with each of these rifles. Why? Can't quite put it into words but I'm guessing anyone reading this knows the reasons.

well, since i really dont get out very much, and have no hunting buddies, i guess all of my stuff will go to my son and hopefully, daughter. she is very young, but i have already started her shooting. my son will be going hunting with me for the first time this year. i know he already has the bug.

Great topic Dave. I have the Marlin 30-30 336C I gave my dad for his birthday (Dec. 20th), and Christmas. He always had to borrow a rifle to go deer hunting, and I got tired of that. He only got to use it once. He died the next May. He had given me his Mossberg 20ga. bolt for Christmas when I was 12, the shotgun my mother's dad had given him.
His brother, my uncle, died four years ago and left me his Smith and Wesson 9mm. I have not shot it in a good while, but I will today. I seriously doubt I will be able to hit what I am shooting at due to blurry vision.
I will be passing them on as well as others to special people, with the hope that they will appreciate, use and care for them, and not just sell them.

Great comments, guys! But to answer Dave's question as to what to do with Norm's knife, I offer a suggestion. I have in front of me a book entitled "Communicating the Outdoor Experience", edited by Norm Strung, copyright 1975. In honor of Norm Strung and to the outdoor writer's craft, make this knife the revolving trophy for the recipient of the best yearly writer chosen by the Outdoor Writer's Association of America, with Dave making the presentation.

My father took his own life about 20 years ago after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease. Just couldn't handle not being able to hunt anymore. He left me a pre64 Model 70 featherweight. In the meantime I have managed to aquire quite a few more. I am married but we have no children and I have but two really close hunting buddies. Nobody in the immediate family has much interest in the outdoors. I am only 40 but my health is failing also. It has really been bothering me as to what to do with these guns. I want somebody to have them that will use and cherish them as much as I have. What to do?

My Father never carried me hunting. But one Thanksgiving day a couple neighbors invited him and me I was l4 to go Rabbit hunting. That was the only time my Dad and i everhunted period. I was the only boy in our family of 5 and for some reason I loved the outdoors and hunting and guns. I have collected quite a number of high dollar firearms over my 73 ys. I have one Son and a FDaghtetr, both love hunting. My Son and I have hunted every fall for 40 odd years. My firearms will go to my Son except 4 that i plan to leave for my Daughter who loves w-tail hunting. I had a Uncle who I derly Loved and I wa sick in l945 and he brought me a MARBLES sheath knife. I carried that knife for 30 yrs or more then feared i might loose it. So, i put it in the safe and bought a new Marbles when they begun production a few years back. That knife my Uncle gave me when I was l0 yrs old is worth more to me than the Denver mint. It goes to my Son or my first Grandson. In my Dads will, he instructed that no estate sale was to be, that my two sisters and I were to divide and share. Now I have one sister left and heaven forbit when we settle his estate as my Mother who is 94 is yet alive an healthy. How I wish my Dad had been hunting with memor, but his interest was Horses not hunting. I look forward to hunting season each year as i know My Son and will be hunting everey chance we get. Two years ago we both killed a nice Buck on the same day about l5 minutes apart. Then this past year we both killed a 9 and a 8 pointer about 10 minutes befoe drk on opening day of B/Pseason. For Christmas he had a Magazine cover type picture made up with both of us and our deer, my most treasured gift ever since that Marbles knife. Most of us know or think we know when we are near the end and i want thoe last days to be spent in the woods. I told my Pastor I wanted to live to be 92????9(why I chose that #) and be found sitting on my hunting stool beside a tree wth my 06 in my hand wih a smile on my face.I have one request left to fill and that is for my Son and I to go to the Rockies together and he get him a nice Elk like mine. Hopefully we can arrange that while i'm able to travel.I've have the opportunity to hunt the Rockies many times and killed the game I wanted, and meet many new firends Most all the game I've taken and mounted on my Den Wall.Wealth is not the amount of $$$$ you have and leave behind, but the special places you went and the endless memories left behind. Shoot-um-straigh and very often. A old Southern Country Boy, who will be in the woods in the Am for that old Tom.

When the time is right, the right person for the Kabar will be there, and you'll know.

WAMtnhunter Thanks: Did not go hunting this Am as was not up to par, but hopefully Monday i can go. Hunting seasons are to far apart for me now. Days i wish I lived in a area where could hunt 24/7. I envy the guys out west they have so much game to hunt and able to hunt most of the year. But suppose if could do so doubt would enjoy as I do now. Most guys/ladies all have a special hobby, me its my guns and hunting. Suppose if owned one of each firerm made i'd want more. With the many I have, I only use about 4 on a regular bases. Those just jump out to me when I open the safes. But, confidence in those 4 I feel is the reason I choose them. I will try the new Marlin XL7 in 270 come fall. Never owned a 270 prior or even shot one. So i expect great results on w-tails here on the farm come November.Kinda funny to me, when hunting season is in I can hop out of bed t 4 Am and thrilled to get dressed and in the woods, then when season is over i sleep till 9 or so.Suppose that tells all where my priorities lie. There is so much to see and enjoy in the great outdoors even if your eat your tags.I am in HOG heaven when in the rockies at l0-12K feet and just look out over the wonders our good Lord provided for us. I expect my wife and I have made near 5.000 phots of the rockies and here. I can enjoy chipmonks play all day and contended. Too bad when was younger and good health I never had the $$$ or the time to go hunting to the places that I would like to hunt. But for the past 25 years have made up some of the lost time. Just pray I have many falls left to enjoy what I am able to do,. At present a nice oldtom is my goal, hopefully come next week will fill that tag. We are short on Turkeys here this spring and not many to be found. But do have a flock that passes by ever few days. Got plenty of w-tails this year and a spotted deer i got my eye set for. Son killed one last year. O I could go on and on , but you guys have other things to read about. Shoot-um-straight and often. Prepare to give that special item to whom-ever you have in mind. Don't wait till you are gone , do it now. Good hunting to all.

Family guns...the heart of a good blog topic, so thank you Dave.

Few in here seem to mention muzzleloaders in their catalog of firearms to hand down...but, they should be included, too. After all, some of them are a good deal older, and represent a lot more desperation in the hands of our forefathers. Like...Great Granddad's Tennessee rifle, with double-set triggers; the 1973 Winchester, from Indian territory; the plains rifle rebored by Russ Carpenter; the 1862 Springfield musket...and so forth.

I think we all agree that these kinds of gifts are not for everyone, or just any of our kids and relatives. They may belong in a good friend's hands...or a young shooter's closet. I have seen family guns given away to unappreciative youngsters, or hung on nails on the wall, forgotten, and neglected. One of my daughters has urged that I write down the stories behind the family guns, so that whoever gets them, the heritage will accompany the gift.

Good idea. Nice blog idea...enjoyed the trip.

Blue

True story: Some years back I went to a Estate sale that advertised a Parker s x s 20 ga. That was all I was interested in. I started the bid at 500.00 bucks (gun was as NIB. A young fellow raised to 550.00 and we continued this process for several bids. I finally asked a guy beside me who the young kid was and he said the man who owned this farm and that gun was his Grandpa's and he had promished his grandson the Parker, but the family would not do so and insisted it be sold.I went over to the young man and appolizided for my bidding.Had i know the story would not have bid. I told the young boy , about l8-20 ys old ( I had the last bid) that had I know would not have increased any bid. Told him to bid 5 bucks more and the gun was his as far as i was involved. So the kid did so and the gun went to him. After the sale he came to me and let me hold/see the gun and told me thanks for allowing him to own what grandpa promished. So if you got a specal gun for a special person, give it to him while you around, as most families are greedy and want every dime they can get. I never have gotten a Parker 20 but did find a excellent Fox in 16 ga s x s and a Rabbit ear Wesley C Scott l2 ga s x s. . Now hopefully can use the Fox and kill my Tom this week. Shoot-um-straight and often.

The first memory I have of my Grandpa was at the age of 5. He had given me a dip of Garrett snuff and I got sick as the proverbial dog. My mother was so angry at him, I thought she would punch him but subsided as soon as I quit pucking. After I had settled down a bit, he put his arm around me and asked if I wanted to see the gun that killed the very last turkey in the county. I asked him if it would make Momma mad again, and he said who cares, I've made her mad so many times one more won't matter.
He went into the house and brought out a lever action rifle and showed it to me. He told me how it operated and
how to load it, and to always keep my finger off of the trigger except to let down the hammer to half-cock, or to shoot, would I like to hold it? Yes. It was very heavy, but I managed to keep from dropping it. He said it had killed many deer and turkeys, but he always cleaned it and oiled it after he got home even if he hadn't fired a shot. Over the next 5yrs. I visited him many times, and almost every time he would let me hold that old rifle. Then one day when I was ten, he called my mother and aunt ,her sister and my uncle,her brother out on the porch while I was holding the rifle, and said this boy gets this Winchester when I'm gone, Does everyone understand? Well, Grandpa died 6 weeks later, and although my dad asked the whole family where the rifle was, nobody had seen it for a year or more. We all knew who took it, but my dad said it wasn't worth a split in the family, to make a fuss. The reason I didn't "make a fuss" was more weakness of limb rather than purity of heart. I haven't seen my cousin for 40yrs. and am unlikely to ever see him again, but if I do, I will make that overdue "fuss". My dad told me the old man had told him it was a .32/20 m1873. I fired it a few times after I could hold it up, but it's greatest value to me was my Granddad had hunted with it for 50yrs. My own firearms, fishing tackle, knives, loading equipment and hand tools will be distributed by me, or if I die before I get it completed, by my wife according to my written instructions. I haven't waited till the last minute.

Hey, Shaky...regrets to ya about the 73, and the family incident. I am sure that tale could be told many, many times over. By the by, my family's two Winchesters were .44 and 32-20...wish I had gotten the .44-40, but your experience makes me grateful for having the old 32-20.

You are right though...write it down, and leave it in your will.

Blue

I have written instructions on all my hunting materila and my shop equiptment.Who gets what and when. All the other junk i own they can do what-ever. i would like all my mounts to be on display someplace if the family does not care to have them, as would take a room 24 x 26 to hang all of them. I;ve been told that Cabelas'and Bass will buy Mounts? There is a Steak house in Missoula, Mt that I eat in often when out there and the guy who owns the place has hunted the world over. He sold the resturant last year and I want to re-visit to see if the mounts remained with the sale.On a personal basis, I would not give 2 cents for a mount that i did not kill myself, but to each his own. In certain business's mounts do have a place for all to see and i enjoy looking at them. All my mounts have a brass plae under the mount stating when, where and what caliber gun I used. So down the road anyone can know the facts. Good hunting guys. Shoot-um-straight and often.

I come from a big family. I have two brothers who are much older and stopped hunting about six years ago. The hard part is that we all had our favorite rifles and now my brother in-law hunts with my father and I on a regular basis. He quit hunting for a very long time and recently caught the bug when I got him out with us. His son, the oldest boy in our family is starting to hunt next year. My father "barrows" his 308 browning BLR to him every season but that is the rifle that my older brother "used" to use. I feel bad because I know that this rifle truly belongs in the hands of my in-law and when something happens I am sure it is going to get messy. My father does not seem to let go of anything. He would rather "barrow" things out at time of need. I have purchased my own rifles and equipment just for that reason because I know that I am not assured anything if things get harry. I would really hate to see my old 30wcf go because that is the gun my grandfather used and my father started hunting in the 50's with and then I used for my first 15 years of hunting. But I am prepared and resolved to not let it get in the way of my family. I have already begun my collection with retained value in mind but when it comes to it things are just things. It could all burn in a fire and I would shed tears for only a little while. I would give them all up happily if it meant another few seasons hunting with my brothers (probably never to happen again).