Post by Ice on Dec 19, 2021 17:04:13 GMT -5
This brings back great memories. I’m sure most of us started with a .22 or 410. Mine was Marlin model 60 with the tubular magazine as a Christmas present around age 10 or 11.
My brother (2 years older) and I thought we were getting our first rifles. Our parents were always very careful to make sure that we got the same number of presents and dollar figure even if we didn’t get the same thing. I remember being very impatient that year. There were 2 boxes that looked like they could possibly be the rifles and 4 smaller boxes that we figured we “shells”, 2 boxes apiece. The excitement was real that year and we couldn’t wait.
Mom and Dad were gone to town one Saturday afternoon and our Grandparents,who lived next door, were not at home either, so I was finally able to convince my brother (he was always a scaredy-cat) that we could open one rifle and one box of shells, shoot it a couple of times, and wrap it back before anyone got home. I was finally able to convince him and the plan was set in motion. With the care of a surgeon I slit the tape on mom’s meticulous wrapping. Sure enough, it was a beauty. I shot it twice and made my older brother shot it as well so he would be complicit in the act. We then slide the rifle back in the wrapping and retaped the package. We made sure to put that one on the bottom and incidentally damage the paper as we were handing out the gifts on that Christmas.
We were in our late 30s before we ever told our parents. I was still hesitant with the thought that the statue of limitations may have not expired. Our parents couldn’t believe that my brother never told and they werenot surprised at my mischievousness. The memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. I think I’ll dust mine off this winter and see if by chance I get a few squirrels for some gravy. Of course, mom will be more than accommodating to fix anything that I drag in….she always has!
Thanks all!
My brother (2 years older) and I thought we were getting our first rifles. Our parents were always very careful to make sure that we got the same number of presents and dollar figure even if we didn’t get the same thing. I remember being very impatient that year. There were 2 boxes that looked like they could possibly be the rifles and 4 smaller boxes that we figured we “shells”, 2 boxes apiece. The excitement was real that year and we couldn’t wait.
Mom and Dad were gone to town one Saturday afternoon and our Grandparents,who lived next door, were not at home either, so I was finally able to convince my brother (he was always a scaredy-cat) that we could open one rifle and one box of shells, shoot it a couple of times, and wrap it back before anyone got home. I was finally able to convince him and the plan was set in motion. With the care of a surgeon I slit the tape on mom’s meticulous wrapping. Sure enough, it was a beauty. I shot it twice and made my older brother shot it as well so he would be complicit in the act. We then slide the rifle back in the wrapping and retaped the package. We made sure to put that one on the bottom and incidentally damage the paper as we were handing out the gifts on that Christmas.
We were in our late 30s before we ever told our parents. I was still hesitant with the thought that the statue of limitations may have not expired. Our parents couldn’t believe that my brother never told and they werenot surprised at my mischievousness. The memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. I think I’ll dust mine off this winter and see if by chance I get a few squirrels for some gravy. Of course, mom will be more than accommodating to fix anything that I drag in….she always has!
Thanks all!
