snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Today I was perusing a LGS and came upon a svelte little Husqavarna in a Bishop stock, hand checkered, with beautiful bluing on a pencil barrel. Very nicely inletted and well cared for. When I checked the caliber designation it simply said "R. Dempsey".
I discovered the gun was "not yet for sale", according to the owner who seems to have a LOT of those in the shop. However, he was quite interested to know how I knew about R. Dempsey.
I was able to tell him that Robert Demspey (Bob to his neighbors) lived on Roberts Lane in Economy Borough, near Baden PA into the 1970's. As a child I remember going past his gunshop located at the terminus of Conway Wallrose Rd and Big Sewickley Creek Rd when out for rides with my dad. I understand that he had the business from the late 40's into the late 60's, maybe early 70's before retiring. I do not recall meeting him, though I may have. My dad spoke well of him. We lived a block away from him. Sometime after his passing I came to be the lawn boy for his widow in about 1977. I mowed her lawn for $7 (3/4acre plus) from the time I was 12 until I was 17. She moved to Sewickley PA in about 1980. I beleive she passed in about 1985. I still have a HS graduation card from her in my memories box. She was a dear lady who treated me like a son. I was able to buy my first "bought it myself" guns...a Remington Varmint Special in 222 with a Lyman AA 8x, and a new Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 ga from funds earned from my mowing business, part of which was from Mrs. Dempsey. The owner of the LGS told me he had been asking "old guys" for years where R. Dempsey had his shop and no one could say difinitvely. He suggested I post something on the net for those who might be looking.
Today I had a trip down memory lane looking at that rifle...and I have to say Bob Dempsey did a fine job on it. I left my name with the gunshop in case someday the owner decides he wants to sell it for a reasonable price. He said it was a 270, and it may be. I'm betting it has a Douglass on it. Forgot my cell phone or I would have posted a photo.
Snert
I discovered the gun was "not yet for sale", according to the owner who seems to have a LOT of those in the shop. However, he was quite interested to know how I knew about R. Dempsey.
I was able to tell him that Robert Demspey (Bob to his neighbors) lived on Roberts Lane in Economy Borough, near Baden PA into the 1970's. As a child I remember going past his gunshop located at the terminus of Conway Wallrose Rd and Big Sewickley Creek Rd when out for rides with my dad. I understand that he had the business from the late 40's into the late 60's, maybe early 70's before retiring. I do not recall meeting him, though I may have. My dad spoke well of him. We lived a block away from him. Sometime after his passing I came to be the lawn boy for his widow in about 1977. I mowed her lawn for $7 (3/4acre plus) from the time I was 12 until I was 17. She moved to Sewickley PA in about 1980. I beleive she passed in about 1985. I still have a HS graduation card from her in my memories box. She was a dear lady who treated me like a son. I was able to buy my first "bought it myself" guns...a Remington Varmint Special in 222 with a Lyman AA 8x, and a new Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 ga from funds earned from my mowing business, part of which was from Mrs. Dempsey. The owner of the LGS told me he had been asking "old guys" for years where R. Dempsey had his shop and no one could say difinitvely. He suggested I post something on the net for those who might be looking.
Today I had a trip down memory lane looking at that rifle...and I have to say Bob Dempsey did a fine job on it. I left my name with the gunshop in case someday the owner decides he wants to sell it for a reasonable price. He said it was a 270, and it may be. I'm betting it has a Douglass on it. Forgot my cell phone or I would have posted a photo.
Snert
