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Scott Groff
BBS Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 1st, 2005 |
| Location: | Dallas |
| Posts: | 117 |
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Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 05:42 pm |
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Was just contacted over the weekend by a friend of Thad's to tell me he had passed away.
A fantastic man responsible for many a fine double gun in our country. He will be missed.
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Bruce Day
PGCA Member
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Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 06:36 pm |
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| Scott, I did not know him but I am sorry for your loss and my condolences to his family and friends. Two good men lost in the last week.
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Bruce Day
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Wally Vernon
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 12:40 am |
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Thad was the first man I ever bought a really good gun from. I used to go to the Memphis shows at the fairgrounds years ago and Thad would set up at them. He was the only guy that would take low end guns in on trade on his nice stuff. I did one deal with him on a Winchester 1886 that was wayyy out of my price range. He patiently let me keep on bringing in odds and ends until I had enough to trade on it. I really dont think anyone else would have done it.
Later on, ironically on a 1886 again, I asked Thad if he would accept a layaway. He agreed and I sent the first payment. About a week later,a big,long,skinny box is on my porch (I live in a small town). I open it, and low and behold- there was my (deluxe 45-90 case colored 90% btw) 1886! I called Thad telling him there must be some mistake as I hadn't paid for it yet. He said "I know you are good for it" . You can bet I paid him quickly for that gun.
When I got to the point of setting up at shows, Thad would always come by and say "hi" and look to see if I had anything he wanted. He would also let me pick his brain on English guns. He was a good friend to me. I will miss him greatly.
Last edited on Tue May 12th, 2009 12:41 am by Wally Vernon
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Dean Romig
PGCA Member
| Joined: | Fri Jan 7th, 2005 |
| Location: | Andover, Ma |
| Posts: | 4887 |
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Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 12:46 am |
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| I didn't know Thad. I have also read the posts on gunshop.com about what a great friend and knowledgable man he was. One doesn't get accolades like these without earning them. I wish I had known him. I wish his family and friends peace.
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Hugh Rather
PGCA Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 150 |
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Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 03:11 am |
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| Years ago,I bought one of my first doubles,an Ithica flues, from Thad.Later, I read that these were not recommended by Ithica for heavier loads [this was an old saw still floating around].Thad patiently explained this statement and its origions but in my youth I still wanted to somehow be relieved of the gun.He offered to trade for a nice gun from his display[always one of the largest at the show] and the deal was made.I never thanked him for his patience but I do now.He remained a friend and advisor for many years after this.I will miss him.
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John 3:16
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Don Kaas
PGCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Palm,PA |
| Posts: | 2720 |
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Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 07:13 pm |
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| I bought quite a few guns from Thad over the years. He was a good man to deal with and I mean deal... I have a little Holland & Holland 28" 20 bore from 1912 in its original H&H leather case I got from Thad...it's one of my favorite guns for Mr. Bob and a "keeper". RIP Mr. Scott
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Ben Rawls
BBS Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 5 |
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Posted: Sat May 16th, 2009 03:24 pm |
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I bought several guns from him online. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I figured something was wrong several months ago when his website went down. Good guy to deal with . Accurately represented his stock
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George Lander
Member
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Posted: Sat May 16th, 2009 05:51 pm |
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Thad was one of the last of the "Old Guard" of gun dealers where you could take his word to the bank. He handled importation of fine Italian guns for another old friend of mine, Ray Permenter, who passed away last year. Not many of those old guys left. Pete Harvey now sets up at our South Carolina shows. He told me that he bought a farm here in Lexington County a few years ago and spends a lot of his time there.
FYI.....George
Last edited on Sat May 16th, 2009 05:52 pm by George Lander
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" Never Send To Know For Whom The Bell Tolls, It Tolls For Thee " ...John Donne
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