The $60 dollar grade 10 gauge, 32" twist barrels, hammer # 41730 always sat atop of my fathers gun rack. It was dark, intimidating, and was not very likable, much like my father. Once or twice a year he would show it to one of his friends with a prideful smile. His father bought it around 1915 for $12, his uncle soldered deer sights on it and tales of deer hunts dripped off its barrels like syrup. The gun aged with my father and both slowly lost any recognition of their youth. This year marks 3 years as caretaker, as the gun was past down to me, but not before seeing my father shoulder it one last time and let " boat a dem go". Being able to thank Mr. Bachelder in person for his repair to the gun was very important, only to have him thank me for bringing it in. Dad past this July...
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