It was not common for new firearms to come out every other month. More so in America, where the number of guns was more than the number of people living there.
And from the era that defined gun making came the collaboration between Smith & Wesson and Remington, two industry juggernauts. In 1955, they launched their Model 29, a revolver so much more powerful than any other handgun that forced shooters to redefine what a six-shooter was.
Not only was the Model 29 a practical hand cannon, but it was a beautiful firearm, as finely made as any factory revolver to date. Samuel opened the case that was holding that very beauty. It was any gun-nut fantasy to own one of these pieces.
Rick was not that different; he was immediately awestruck when he saw it.
" Fuck!" He roared, which made his wife come to see what was happening.
" Why are you shouting in the middle of the day?" It was only then Allie saw Samuel at the store's doorstep.
" Oh, why didn't you tell me he was here? You are not doing anything stupid are you?" She kept asking him, but Rick didn't care. He was walking toward Samuel with the anticipation of holding that revolver.
He grabbed the piece and began observing it carefully, his hand glossing over the cold hard steel feeling the neat engraving along the way.
" This is the real deal! I can't believe I will be holding it one day." Rick sounded emotional, but his grip was firm.
" When did you get here? And What's up with him?" Allie asked.
" I came here to see Rosaline and both of you. I was not able to get in contact with her."
" Ah, well, you are to blame for that. She never ghosted us like that, I told him she was a big girl that can take care of herself but he wanted to make a example out of this." Allie shrugged. She was the cool mom if one wanted to put her in any category.
" We just lost touch of time. I never wanted you to worry. I am sorry for that." Samuel apologized.
" It's fine. I told her to go out more but that girl keep skirting over it. It nice to see that she is finally getting along with young boys." Allie said with a smug look.
" You know, I am not that young!"
" You don't say? Tell me have you tasted alcohol yet?" Allie chuckled.
" We have different laws in England, Mrs Wright."
" I completely forgot about that and please call me Allie. I also wanted to thank you for what you did that day."
" It's alright. I only did what was right. I just didn't expect to be facing the barrel of the gun a second time." He sneaked that in between the conversation.
" Honey! What am I hearing? You pointed the gun at the kid again?" She smacked her husband's arm, still lost in his world.
" Watch it! I don't want to drop it. Brat! Don't think I will let you see her just because you showed me this!" Rick turned toward Samuel and proclaimed.
" I know. I just want to talk to you. I know It was my bad earlier but I wanted to formally ask you before taking her out." He was respectful in his tone.
" Humph, Did you even hear what I said?"
" Mr Rick don't you think that grounding your daughter was a bit excessive? I mean, she is not a kid anymore." Samuel changed his tactics.
" Kid, Don't teach me parenting! I know what I am doing."
" Honey.." Allie wanted to lend him some help, but Rick shut her down immediately.
" You stay out of this."
" *Sigh* I am sorry. I will be get going then. Can I have that back?"
" Eh? Right. Here." Rick reluctantly gave the pistol back. Lingering in his eyes couldn't be kept hidden, and that's when Samuel decided to drop the bomb!
" By the way did I tell you the history behind this piece?"
" History? I know more than you, boy. You were not even born when I held my first gun." Rick said smugly. Was the kid trying to lecture him about guns? Who did the kid think he was?
" I am not talking about the Model 29 history. I am asking about this very piece's history. Didn't you see the engraving at the bottom?"
" Huh? What's special about that?"
" It must be something important that's why he is telling you about it." Allie chimed in. She noticed the letters written were some kind of initials.
" D.H and C.E?" She said out loud.
" You seem to know a lot about this model then let me ask you why did this revolver become famous." Samuel asked Rick directly.
" Everyone knows about that, didn't you see that movie? Well, I think it is too old for the young folks. Let me tell you it was all the rave back in my youth even though it came out when I was a baby." Rick started reminiscing about his past.
" I still remember what my father used to tell me. It was a beautiful gun, one of the finest revolvers ever made in America, but it was so much more powerful than anything before it that people didn't quite know what to make of the gun."
" That is, until the appearance on screen of San Francisco Police Inspector Harry Callahan, called "Dirty" Harry. The Model 29, in Dirty Harry's hand, seemed nothing less than the Wrath of God. Right?" Samuel finished his story.
" Right, right. I am surprised that a youngster like you know about it." Rick was a little impressed.
" I also know the lines that made it iconic." Samuel paused to get into the grove.
"But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' " He stopped.
" 'Well, do you, punk?' I am starting to like you, kid!" Rick finished the line with a chuckle. He couldn't help but pat Samuel's shoulders.
" Wow, Samuel, you definitely got a talent for acting. Maybe you should try it as a hobby." Samuel's skills didn't escape Allie's keen observation.
" That-, Thanks Mrs, I mean Allie." It's best to keep quiet about his acting career for now.
" But why are you bringing up that movie?" Rick was much softer in his tone now.
" Why? Because I hold the same gun that was used on the movie set. I was hoping to gift it to you, but I guess it will also gather dust in some antique shot." Samuel said with a well-timed dejected expression.
" Huh?"
"...."
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