Cold Weather = Gun Cleaning

Since it is 34° outside (too cold for Jeep driving), I figured that it was time to do some gun cleaning and oiling.

Since I did the rifles a few weeks ago, got out some of my pistols for their cleaning and oiling. I have others, but I decided to start off with these.

Above, the first for cleaning and oiling was the Ruger P95 9mm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, next was my old Rossi .38 Special that I keep loaded with snake shot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, lastly, was my dad's old Jennings J-22 .22 pocket pistol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While working on the Jennings .22, I remembered a time my dad was with me (I was driving) and heading to my Tarzana apartment and some Bozo down the block got upset over something (as it was over 20 years ago, I don't remember what) and got into a fit of road rage while we were waiting for my gate to open. 

While the dude was busy raging at my window, my dad was prepared with the Jennings, in case he tried something. I was unaware of this until after the dude took off. Ah, memories!

I love the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 in the morning. Smells of...freedom!

The Mystery of Dad's Lock Box Solved

Above, a World War II German CZ Pistole Modell 27. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I finally did something that took me around 15 years to get to. Curiosity finally got to me.

I inherited a lock box from my dad, who passed away 15 years ago of cancer. It had been sitting in my apartment since then. My mom could not locate the key to it and I went through all of my dad's keys, but the key to the box was not among them.

I decided to go to a local locksmith to have him open up the lock box and make a new key.

I had no idea what was in the lock box. Was it money? Was it rare coins? Documents? Savings bonds? Or some other collectible?

When the locksmith opened the box, the contents turned out to be three semi-automatic pistols with their magazines. I was surprised that there were guns in the box, I thought I had my dad's guns all accounted for. And, I shook the box and nothing metallic any noise.

Above, the P.Beretta 635 cal. Brevet (Model 418). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two of the three are actually collectible guns: One is a mid-World War II vintage German CZ Pistole Modell 27, 7.65 cal. It is in very good condition. Ballpark value is around $400-450. The other is a P.Beretta 635 cal. Brevet (Model 418) with a date stamp of 1953. Value around $300, depending on condition.

Above, the Jenning Firearms Model J-22. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The third is a cheap Jennings Firearms Model J-22 .22 cal. Hardly worth more than scrap metal. About $50 to $125 in value.

Well, at least there wasn't any useless paper inside the box.