AIRGUNS ARE FOR MAKING MEMORIES
Written by: Der Luftmeister
Each of us is a product of the experiences and environments that have brought us to where we are. For the readers of this web site, those shaping influences may well have included contact with airguns. In my own case, I started with an old Daisy single shot BB gun more than three score years ago. Since I grew up in a rather remote area, that little BB gun was carried countless miles through fields and woods. My father had owned a multi-pump Benjamin in his younger days so I heard about the feats that it performed. The point is that airguns have always been a part of my culture. That is not to say that I have been an active air gunner all these years, but the seeds were always there.
Almost 20 years ago, I bought a Crosman 2200 multi-pump. That was also a result of some history because a cousin had a .22 Crosman when I was a young lad. It was an impressive piece so I had always wanted an equivalent airgun. While visiting with my father, he had a chance to examine and shoot my Crosman 2200 which resulted in his wanting one. The result was that Dad got a Crosman 2200 although by that time his sight was not very good and he didn’t shoot it much. After Dad passed on, several of his possessions were distributed between my brothers and me by lot, and one of my drawings gave me his Crosman 2200. Already having two or three others, the airgun had only sentimental value, but that was strong. In order to perpetuate the attachment for that particular airgun, I quickly passed it on to my son. Now he has Dad’s Crosman 2200.
This story is hardly unique. I have talked to numerous people who have told me stories about how they came to have a particular airgun. Properly cared for, airguns are durable and have long life. There is no reason why they can’t be passed on for generations.
As we travel, my wife and I make it a point to stop at antique malls and occasionally at pawn shops. It is from these sources that some of my cherished collectible airguns have been obtained. No doubt you have engaged in similar searches. When you find a piece you want to collect, have you ever wondered if it could talk what stories it could tell? Perhaps it was a gift to someone many years earlier. It may have been used for a time only to be passed on to someone else. Perhaps it was replaced by a better model so it fell in disuse. Perhaps when the original owner passed on, the airgun was no longer wanted by other family members. Whatever the reason, it became available to those of us who collect and use airguns. As we all know, need has nothing to do with it.
One sad aspect of this story is that when I was a young lad shooting airguns, my father did not own one and would have scarcely had time to spend using it. When he did have the time, I was long since gone and did not have the time. The result is that although we both had an interest in airguns, we shared no special times in which our common interest gave us memories. In spite of the many other wonderful aspects of using airguns, it is my opinion that the most valuable part of the activity is in sharing it with others. Take time to introduce others to our wonderful sport. It is through such mentoring that memories will be made, but more importantly, it is the only way to assure the survival of our sport.
You may be familiar with the song, “Puff the Magic Dragon” that was popular a generation ago. One line in the song tells that dragons are forever, but not so little boys (and girls). As the boy in the song grew older, he had no further need for Puff. Sadly, as many boys and girls grow older today, they have no use for airguns. It is time to stress the positive, wholesome, and recreational aspects of our sport.
Until next time, stay pumped up about air gunning.
Each of us is a product of the experiences and environments that have brought us to where we are. For the readers of this web site, those shaping influences may well have included contact with airguns. In my own case, I started with an old Daisy single shot BB gun more than three score years ago. Since I grew up in a rather remote area, that little BB gun was carried countless miles through fields and woods. My father had owned a multi-pump Benjamin in his younger days so I heard about the feats that it performed. The point is that airguns have always been a part of my culture. That is not to say that I have been an active air gunner all these years, but the seeds were always there.
Almost 20 years ago, I bought a Crosman 2200 multi-pump. That was also a result of some history because a cousin had a .22 Crosman when I was a young lad. It was an impressive piece so I had always wanted an equivalent airgun. While visiting with my father, he had a chance to examine and shoot my Crosman 2200 which resulted in his wanting one. The result was that Dad got a Crosman 2200 although by that time his sight was not very good and he didn’t shoot it much. After Dad passed on, several of his possessions were distributed between my brothers and me by lot, and one of my drawings gave me his Crosman 2200. Already having two or three others, the airgun had only sentimental value, but that was strong. In order to perpetuate the attachment for that particular airgun, I quickly passed it on to my son. Now he has Dad’s Crosman 2200.
This story is hardly unique. I have talked to numerous people who have told me stories about how they came to have a particular airgun. Properly cared for, airguns are durable and have long life. There is no reason why they can’t be passed on for generations.
As we travel, my wife and I make it a point to stop at antique malls and occasionally at pawn shops. It is from these sources that some of my cherished collectible airguns have been obtained. No doubt you have engaged in similar searches. When you find a piece you want to collect, have you ever wondered if it could talk what stories it could tell? Perhaps it was a gift to someone many years earlier. It may have been used for a time only to be passed on to someone else. Perhaps it was replaced by a better model so it fell in disuse. Perhaps when the original owner passed on, the airgun was no longer wanted by other family members. Whatever the reason, it became available to those of us who collect and use airguns. As we all know, need has nothing to do with it.
One sad aspect of this story is that when I was a young lad shooting airguns, my father did not own one and would have scarcely had time to spend using it. When he did have the time, I was long since gone and did not have the time. The result is that although we both had an interest in airguns, we shared no special times in which our common interest gave us memories. In spite of the many other wonderful aspects of using airguns, it is my opinion that the most valuable part of the activity is in sharing it with others. Take time to introduce others to our wonderful sport. It is through such mentoring that memories will be made, but more importantly, it is the only way to assure the survival of our sport.
You may be familiar with the song, “Puff the Magic Dragon” that was popular a generation ago. One line in the song tells that dragons are forever, but not so little boys (and girls). As the boy in the song grew older, he had no further need for Puff. Sadly, as many boys and girls grow older today, they have no use for airguns. It is time to stress the positive, wholesome, and recreational aspects of our sport.
Until next time, stay pumped up about air gunning.
posted by Randy Mitchell at
3:05 PM
1 Comments:
Der Luftmeister: My experiences mirror yours. My dad bought me a Benjamin 3120, .22 cal, years ago (I'm 71 now!) and I have literally adored airguns ever since. By the way, I still have the 3120 and it is still a great looking gun with power (multi pump). I now own numerous airguns from Drulov, Tau, and FX to all of the American made brands. I probably have amassed a small fortune with my collection but I admire them like many gals admire their jewelry!---Thanx.
By
Don, At
2:07 PM, February 20, 2007
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