M1 Carbine - Family Heirloom

by John B September 5th 2012, 8:38 pm

** Keep in mind that I was a wee lad when this was told to me, so a few details might be a tad fuzzy. I know the important parts though. **

Ferris Fly was a Texan who relocated to Kentucky in the 50’s to live on our family farm near what is now Carter Caves State Park. He had married my Dad’s sister and when he retired from the military it seemed like a good place for them to settle down.

Going back a few years. Uncle Fly, as we called him, had served in Europe and Northern Africa during the Second World War. On June 6, 1944 he found himself on a landing craft as it tried to get close to the beach. Best I remember of the story somewhere in the fray he either he lost his issued rifle or it became damaged. Wanting to survive he picked up the nearest one he could find. This M1 Carbine. I recall him saying it was in really good shape at the time. Looking like it hadn’t been in the hands of the previous (at the time probably deceased) soldier very long. Over the course of the next few weeks he kept the carbine till he could get another gun issued or maybe he just found one that was more suited to his needs. Being a career soldier I’m sure he knew some tricks but how ever he did it the gun made it stateside.

I recall the rifle taking up space in the gun rack in his and my aunt’s living room. He hardly ever fired it, using it once in awhile to shoot a pesky ground hog in the garden. When Fly took ill and passed on in 1984 the M1 was given to my dad by Aunt Geraldine. When Dad passed away it moved into my possession. I’ve shot it a few times and done my best to keep it clean. It didn’t have an easy life when my uncle carried it. Can you imagine the stories it could tell?

M1 Carbine - Family Heirloom DSCF1505

Soon, I may have to put it on the market. Mom’s car needs a transmission and right now I’m tapped out. Until the I guess I’ll put it in the gun rack (the same one that hung in my aunt and uncles living room) and admire it.