Had This HW55 Gifted To Me...

[Pneumatic-Addict]

... by my brother-in-law, Maurice Sturgeon. He's single and has no family of his own. I've known him for 50+ years, and we've had dozens of adventures together; skiing Wolf Creek during a white-out, riding the Hotter 'n Hell Hundred, Fat Tire Bike Week, etc., lots of mountain climbing, camping and trout fishing, British car shows and wrench turning, star parties (saw Halley's Comet w/him while camping at Big Bend), Bullseye shooting events, and much more... What was supposed to be a gallstone removal revealed he was stage 4 last March, and he is now in hospice. This was his favorite airgun. The DYWP says it was probably made in 1975.

 

[DanD]

What a meaningful gift in such a sad situation.

I'm sorry for the pain your bro-in-law and his family are going through.

 

[Mossonarock]

I'm also single with no family. No friends either. No telling what will happen to my air guns when I check out. I totally understand.

 

[socaloldman]

A gift for several lifetimes. So very nice and it honors your friendship and decades of shared love and adventures.

 

[kingfisher61]

Very sad way to obtain such an awesome rifle. My heart goes out to you for the soon to be loss of such a fine friend. Best of luck with that 55M....it's one of my favs. Definitely a sentimental possession that I'm sure you will never part with. 

 

[biohazardman]

I would second what everyone else has said here hard to say more. I'm sure the gun will mean much more to you now than it did to him.

 

[Bob-in-WV]

Very nice gun and story. Prayers for his healing.

 

[TiredRooster]

Thats a very nice rifle. But I know that you had rather have your brother-in-law around rather than own that rifle.

Very sorry........I know it's tough. Been there.

 

[Guest]

Beautiful rifle. Beautiful friend. Sorry for your losses.

 

[MDriskill]

I am so sorry to read of this situation. The 55 is certainly an appropriately elegant token of such a friendship.It is my favorite all-round air rifle and I know will always be very special to you.

If he is still able, you may enjoy sharing this HW 55 tidbit with him, an ad from a 1980’s British magazine. You have to chuckle at the simultaneously overblown and understated rhetoric, wherein “laboratory controlled tests” prove the rifle is even better than a recoilless one!

 

[Pneumatic-Addict]

I sure will!. Thank you, sir. And thanks to all who commented.

 

[Michigander]

Beautiful rifle that provides a unique and vey enjoyable shooting experience. Your brother-in-law is fortunate to be able to pass on one of his treasures to someone who will appreciate it, and you are fortunate to have something special to remember him by. Use it often and in good health.

 

[GoldenStateAIRGUNer]

Sorry to hear this ! Not the best way to acquire a beautiful airgun but just remember all the good times you had together when you shoot it.

 

[sillymike]

Thank you for sharing the happy memories with us!

 

[bandg]

Sorry to hear. Sounds like he has had a full life to be celebrated.

 

[Brazos]

Last weekend I had an old friend from college come and visit. When she arrived she explained her dad was at the age he wanted to go thru his belongings and gift certain items to people who had helped her his daughter/my friend out in life. She handed me a prestine nickel plated S&W Model 57 41 Mag in the wooden presentation case and said this is what he sent you. My jaw dropped. I met her dad a few times but it was not like we knew each other very well. That got me to thinking, as now I approach 50, I have too many guns. At some point, when I realize my shooting days are pretty much over, I may do what my friend’s dad did and pick out special people in my life and just say “take this and enjoy it because it’s yours now”. Maybe that is a better path, knowing some of my prized processions are going to someone I care for and that will appreciate them, then being sold for bottom dollar after I am gone.