REPRINT: The Story of Number 27

Radio · July 01, 2003, 03:17

The Story of Number 27

Maddog
May 05, 2000 17:13

I was a refugee…

For many long years I was dragged from place to place, knocked about, and only occasionally allowed to perform my mission. Many men put their hands on me, abused me, and finally left me – marked and abused, covered in red dirt, and barely recognizable. I was just a number, Number 27, crudely painted in garish yellow across my butt.

One day, all of us forgotten, cast-off guardians were unceremoniously piled up and carted off to a different place. The clanking of machinery could be heard, hammer blows, the clatter of broken metal, and, finally, the most horrible sounds imaginable. One by one, we were torn to pieces, our backbones ripped out, and then, the crunch of Doom – as our very spirits seemed to cut in two, and thrown away. The remnants of our once shapely forms were bagged, tagged, and piled in what looked like coffins. Sadness filled the cramped spaces, as we slowly settled into a shapeless heap, suffocating the very life from our mangled corpses.

We seemed to drift, afloat on the memories of what we had once been – Protectors of Home and Farm, Guardians of Liberty, Right Arm of the Free World. Now, we were banished, banned, and on our way to oblivion.

A bright light filled the air above us. One by one, we were carefully removed, still in our bags, and examined by faces we had never seen before. Gone were the gunracks, the familiar aroma of gun oil. These men had no uniforms. They stacked us in piles, and occasionally would take a few of us, place us one by one into smaller boxes, and then, the boxes would disappear out the door. One day, my turn came. What was to become of me, the Ghost of Number 27???

I was tossed, I was thrown, I slid around in the tiny box, until finally I was handed to someone. Suddenly, the handling was gentle, like a soldier who once loved me had treated me. Carefully, I was taken to a small shed, where I recognized the tools and smells of someone who worked on things, and liked doing it. Carefully, tenderly, he examined each and every part of me. Sometimes I would sit alone for days or weeks, but then he would appear again, a kind smile on his face, with a new part or tool that I knew he had gotten – just for Me!

Finally, after the workbench was crowded with things, my new owner came in with a look of determination on his face. "Number 27, I have never done this before, but I have tried to learn everything I can about your needs, and today – Today, you will be reborn…"

I was excited, but scared! The Armorers in the Old Place had sometimes performed cruel torture on us. Some of my mates just disappeared. Many of us wore scars from their labors. What is my new owner going to do to me?

The job that had been started in tearing me limb from limb was completed in the shed. My rusty, worn, weary parts were twisted, scrubbed, oiled, wiped, and lined up in the bench. Sometimes I was stubborn, and would only let go with a shriek, by my owner patiently worked. I saw the new backbone lying there, and, soon, I found that I was whole again. Missing pieces were replaced, and with a final "Snap!", my two halves were made whole again.

My owner carried me into the house, and carefully placed me in his room, where I could near the rack where he puts himself each might. Yet, as happy as I felt, there was still a great emptiness – was I doomed to be an ornament? Would I ever know the joy of making Fire and Thunder again?

Well, Today is a Special Day – Today is when I once again have truly become Whole. Even though my new owner was awkward with me, twisting my knobs, jerking my trigger, and tentative of my recoil, he never once slammed me to the ground, or banged me into trees. In spite of my battered plastic, and discolored, mismatched finish, he gazed at me with fondness, handled me with affection, and shot me with determination. We made Fire and Thunder, and we produced Hits! One, then two, then a dozen, and finally many dozens of Hits! Gleaming brass filled the grass around us and holes filled the targets we acquired. We are tired, we are grimy, but we are One...

Rejoice with me, all my fallen comrades! I dedicate my revival to all those who will Fire no more. In your honor, I pledge to be a faithful friend to my new owner.

I am a refugee no more - Number 27 lives. The days of Fire and Thunder have returned!

*********

I am his RIFLE

There are many like me but I am his. My owner is my best friend. He is my life. I must serve him because service is my life.

Without him, I am useless. I must shoot straighter than any enemy who is trying to kill him. I must shoot any enemy before he shoots my owner. I will...

My owner and myself know that what counts is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My owner is human, and he is my life. My owner keeps me clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

My owner and myself are the defenders of home and farm, country and kinfolk. We are the masters of our enemy.

So be it, until victory is ours and there is no enemy, but Peace...
_______________________________

Responses:

I have a tear in my eye...sniff...sniff...that was beautiful! SF
Tears in my eyes as well. kev
Even I was moved. And I'm a PRICK! (Ask around...) IA
Yes he is! Around
OUTSTANDING! kent
Superb!!! Makes me want to go buy another kit & receiver...I'm such a softy Yo Quiero FAL
Bravo!!! Hypermole
Bravo again! edp
Makes me proud to have a kit and receiver on the way. Mark THG
We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit... Jerrod
And I thought only liberals were creative. Abominog
BRAVO, BRAVO!!! And I believe I have #28, pics when done, I promise Dave1
Very Well Done! Excellent work, Thank You. Phillips
Tuck that away for your grandkids! Excellent! T2
Thank You! Maddog

***************

Submitted for your enjoyment... and inspiration.

--Radio

2ifbyC · July 01, 2003, 07:00

Radio,

Thanx for sharing!

That goes onto the hard drive

Blood of Tyrants · July 01, 2003, 12:15

Have you hugged your rifles today?

**W.E.G.** · July 01, 2003, 14:31

...sniff, sniff...

geerhed · July 01, 2003, 15:19

To be printed and hung by the workbench...

MisterJG · July 01, 2003, 19:44

Damn, I love my FAL!!!!!

Antares · July 01, 2003, 21:56

goddamn what a way to make a grown penguin cry ... read this thread just as I happen to have my new build in my lap ... we need a group buy on kleenex

AZ_gun_nut · July 02, 2003, 14:47

What a fitting thread to read just after I got my FAL back together. She isn't beautiful just yet, but not a hag either.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~jbovenzi/...39;s%20FAL.jpg

Radio · July 05, 2003, 03:19

Do any of you "old-timers" know what happened to the author of this piece? The Files Register contains entries for:

* "mad dog" --- 1 Post
* "Mad Dog" 7.62 --- 1890 Posts
* "maddog" --- 8 Posts
* "MadDog7" --- 6 Posts

Perhaps he was not one of the members who transitioned over when the Board changed. "Will the REAL Maddog please stand up?"

--Radio

SADDLER · March 05, 2006, 18:06

Thought this was good enough bring 'round again.Thought it was great.

torquemada055 · March 05, 2006, 19:53

Thank you for bringing this around again.

I have 2 FAL's made from R1 kits and 1 Belgian completed and making fire and thunder again.
I have 1 SLR and 1 frankenfal in the works and collecting parts for a Rhodie para lower I have.

So I guess I could say I'm about half way there, for now...............

**kev** · March 05, 2006, 21:31

I remember that from WAY back. Still think it's the best thing I've ever read on the internet. FWIW, this is how it's saved to my harddrive. Don't know where the name came from?

FAL Reborn by Phil 'MADDOG' Yantis.htm

lew · March 07, 2006, 14:40

Nice story. I have number 57 waiting to be built, in addition to my R1 that was completed a month ago.

There's no feeling like bringing and old rifle back to life.

whirlibird · March 07, 2006, 20:28

#33 is smiling on the rack.

A copy is tacked next to him.

richbug · March 08, 2006, 10:08

I bought #RD1024 back to life today. She is a 1953 Hungarian MN. Bought as a U-FIX-EM. missing Bolthead, magazine latch and front sight when I got her. She made thunder today, and is presently torn apart in the kitchen sink to degrease.

SmokeEater2 · May 23, 2012, 21:11

A bump to the top for any noobs who've never got to read this before.

**kwthor** · May 23, 2012, 22:21

Thanks for the bump.

**Hebrew Battle Rifle** · May 24, 2012, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeEater2

A bump to the top for any noobs who've never got to read this before.

Names of old friends long gone. Man, I miss the old days.

SmokeEater2 · May 24, 2012, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hebrew Battle Rifle

Names of old friends long gone. Man, I miss the old days.

Yeah, me too. I keep hoping some of them will drop back into the 'files someday. Bunch of great folks who added a lot to the forum.

medicmike · May 25, 2012, 14:19

Radio was one of the good guys.....sure miss seeing his posts around here. Thanks for the bump

paul fowler · May 28, 2012, 12:14

WOW!

Wonderful, read this to my son. I'm in the middle of my 5th build.

Thanks, very appropriate on memorial day.

Paul F

CeeKay · June 24, 2012, 17:17

Dammit!

Every time I read this story, I get teary-eyed.

Then, it makes me want to build an FAL... But I can't because I'm stuck in the barracks, 1500 miles from home and from my DSA

- CK

FLASH-HIDR · June 26, 2012, 11:58

Rifles DO have souls!

My wartime Finn Mosins talk to me every day...No, I'm not crazy.

**okiefarmer** · June 27, 2012, 14:16

Radio,

Empty your PM file, I can't send one, it's full o stuff.

Thanks for that most excellent read.

I gotta get back on the kits I bought some years back and ran out of time to do them with the move.

**W.E.G.** · June 27, 2012, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by okiefarmer

Radio,

Empty your PM file, I can't send one, it's full o stuff.

Thanks for that most excellent read.

I gotta get back on the kits I bought some years back and ran out of time to do them with the move.

Radio is no longer on the planet.

**okiefarmer** · June 30, 2012, 18:49

Well duh, I just queried, came up with that thread, looked at the last reply, seeing it was just the other day. I had not kept up with al those who have left this earth. Sorry 'bout that, and thanks for the head's up.

okie out

gw104 · December 15, 2017, 15:39

Had to bring this back to life.

**gunplumber** · December 16, 2017, 09:47

Made me sad - I clicked, saw the reel-to-reel and immediately felt like shit. Radio, shlomo, and too many others.

**gunplumber** · December 16, 2017, 09:48

Made me sad - I clicked, saw the reel-to-reel and immediately felt like shit. Radio, shlomo, DunkRD and too many others.

medicmike · December 17, 2017, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunplumber

Made me sad - I clicked, saw the reel-to-reel and immediately felt like shit. Radio, shlomo, DunkRD and too many others.

Same here....we have lost too many of the good guys

CeeKay · September 05, 2018, 21:12

All these years later, and this story still brings a tear to my eye... :')

July 01, 2003, 03:17	#1
Radio Registered FALaholic #: 263 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 9,802	REPRINT: The Story of Number 27 The Story of Number 27 Maddog May 05, 2000 17:13 I was a refugee… For many long years I was dragged from place to place, knocked about, and only occasionally allowed to perform my mission. Many men put their hands on me, abused me, and finally left me – marked and abused, covered in red dirt, and barely recognizable. I was just a number, Number 27, crudely painted in garish yellow across my butt. One day, all of us forgotten, cast-off guardians were unceremoniously piled up and carted off to a different place. The clanking of machinery could be heard, hammer blows, the clatter of broken metal, and, finally, the most horrible sounds imaginable. One by one, we were torn to pieces, our backbones ripped out, and then, the crunch of Doom – as our very spirits seemed to cut in two, and thrown away. The remnants of our once shapely forms were bagged, tagged, and piled in what looked like coffins. Sadness filled the cramped spaces, as we slowly settled into a shapeless heap, suffocating the very life from our mangled corpses. We seemed to drift, afloat on the memories of what we had once been – Protectors of Home and Farm, Guardians of Liberty, Right Arm of the Free World. Now, we were banished, banned, and on our way to oblivion. A bright light filled the air above us. One by one, we were carefully removed, still in our bags, and examined by faces we had never seen before. Gone were the gunracks, the familiar aroma of gun oil. These men had no uniforms. They stacked us in piles, and occasionally would take a few of us, place us one by one into smaller boxes, and then, the boxes would disappear out the door. One day, my turn came. What was to become of me, the Ghost of Number 27??? I was tossed, I was thrown, I slid around in the tiny box, until finally I was handed to someone. Suddenly, the handling was gentle, like a soldier who once loved me had treated me. Carefully, I was taken to a small shed, where I recognized the tools and smells of someone who worked on things, and liked doing it. Carefully, tenderly, he examined each and every part of me. Sometimes I would sit alone for days or weeks, but then he would appear again, a kind smile on his face, with a new part or tool that I knew he had gotten – just for Me! Finally, after the workbench was crowded with things, my new owner came in with a look of determination on his face. "Number 27, I have never done this before, but I have tried to learn everything I can about your needs, and today – Today, you will be reborn…" I was excited, but scared! The Armorers in the Old Place had sometimes performed cruel torture on us. Some of my mates just disappeared. Many of us wore scars from their labors. What is my new owner going to do to me? The job that had been started in tearing me limb from limb was completed in the shed. My rusty, worn, weary parts were twisted, scrubbed, oiled, wiped, and lined up in the bench. Sometimes I was stubborn, and would only let go with a shriek, by my owner patiently worked. I saw the new backbone lying there, and, soon, I found that I was whole again. Missing pieces were replaced, and with a final "Snap!", my two halves were made whole again. My owner carried me into the house, and carefully placed me in his room, where I could near the rack where he puts himself each might. Yet, as happy as I felt, there was still a great emptiness – was I doomed to be an ornament? Would I ever know the joy of making Fire and Thunder again? Well, Today is a Special Day – Today is when I once again have truly become Whole. Even though my new owner was awkward with me, twisting my knobs, jerking my trigger, and tentative of my recoil, he never once slammed me to the ground, or banged me into trees. In spite of my battered plastic, and discolored, mismatched finish, he gazed at me with fondness, handled me with affection, and shot me with determination. We made Fire and Thunder, and we produced Hits! One, then two, then a dozen, and finally many dozens of Hits! Gleaming brass filled the grass around us and holes filled the targets we acquired. We are tired, we are grimy, but we are One... Rejoice with me, all my fallen comrades! I dedicate my revival to all those who will Fire no more. In your honor, I pledge to be a faithful friend to my new owner. I am a refugee no more - Number 27 lives. The days of Fire and Thunder have returned! ******* I am his RIFLE There are many like me but I am his. My owner is my best friend. He is my life. I must serve him because service is my life. Without him, I am useless. I must shoot straighter than any enemy who is trying to kill him. I must shoot any enemy before he shoots my owner. I will... My owner and myself know that what counts is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit... My owner is human, and he is my life. My owner keeps me clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will... My owner and myself are the defenders of home and farm, country and kinfolk. We are the masters of our enemy. So be it, until victory is ours and there is no enemy, but Peace... _______________________________ Responses: I have a tear in my eye...sniff...sniff...that was beautiful! SF Tears in my eyes as well. kev Even I was moved. And I'm a PRICK! (Ask around...) IA Yes he is! Around OUTSTANDING! kent Superb!!! Makes me want to go buy another kit & receiver...I'm such a softy Yo Quiero FAL Bravo!!! Hypermole Bravo again! edp Makes me proud to have a kit and receiver on the way. Mark THG We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit... Jerrod And I thought only liberals were creative. Abominog BRAVO, BRAVO!!! And I believe I have #28, pics when done, I promise Dave1 Very Well Done! Excellent work, Thank You. Phillips Tuck that away for your grandkids! Excellent! T2 Thank You! Maddog ************* Submitted for your enjoyment... and inspiration. --Radio __________________ Train Like You Fight: Second PLace is NOT an Option. --E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II* "You seem to fantasize about me a lot. Maybe you should tell your boyfriend? He could dress up like me or something." --*K.O.A.M.*, November 9th, 2009 "You're better off hoping she don't miss, it's quicker that way." --ce, December 15, 2009

July 01, 2003, 14:31	#4
W.E.G. FAL Files Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 40,520	...sniff, sniff... __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

July 01, 2003, 15:19	#5
geerhed Registered FALaholic #: 3005 Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 1,821	To be printed and hung by the workbench... __________________ Hey!...mordre mes brillantes métal âne.

July 01, 2003, 19:44	#6
MisterJG Registered FALaholic #: 8723 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: MD Posts: 957	Damn, I love my FAL!!!!! __________________ Just a gun guy

March 05, 2006, 18:06	#10
SADDLER Registered FALaholic #: 8476 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 468	Thought this was good enough bring 'round again.Thought it was great. __________________ Never Quit ! NRA Life Member

July 01, 2003, 07:00	#2
2ifbyC Registered FALaholic #: 3612 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 288	Radio, Thanx for sharing! That goes onto the hard drive __________________ Oh Lawdy, help me with my FAL addiction (let me win the Lottery!).

July 01, 2003, 12:15	#3
Blood of Tyrants Registered FALaholic #: 1244 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 2,969	Have you hugged your rifles today? __________________ From time to time the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson One day, in the not too distant future, good men and women like those that serve in Iraq, will decide that the United States isn't worth fighting for and the blame will be squarely on the shoulders of the DemocRat Party.

July 01, 2003, 21:56	#7
Antares Banned Marketplace Infractions FALaholic #: 5916 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,362	goddamn what a way to make a grown penguin cry ... read this thread just as I happen to have my new build in my lap ... we need a group buy on kleenex

July 02, 2003, 14:47	#8
AZ_gun_nut Registered FALaholic #: 10866 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 63	What a fitting thread to read just after I got my FAL back together. She isn't beautiful just yet, but not a hag either. http://www.public.asu.edu/~jbovenzi/...39;s%20FAL.jpg

July 05, 2003, 03:19	#9
Radio Registered FALaholic #: 263 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 9,802	Do any of you "old-timers" know what happened to the author of this piece? The Files Register contains entries for: * "mad dog" --- 1 Post * "Mad Dog" 7.62 --- 1890 Posts * "maddog" --- 8 Posts * "MadDog7" --- 6 Posts Perhaps he was not one of the members who transitioned over when the Board changed. "Will the REAL Maddog please stand up?" --Radio

March 05, 2006, 19:53	#11
torquemada055 Registered FALaholic #: 15170 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5thBt. 31st FF Posts: 3,642	Thank you for bringing this around again. I have 2 FAL's made from R1 kits and 1 Belgian completed and making fire and thunder again. I have 1 SLR and 1 frankenfal in the works and collecting parts for a Rhodie para lower I have. So I guess I could say I'm about half way there, for now............... __________________ NEVER forget April 19, 1775, and hell NO the bridge aint for sale!! I know, let's abolish the Fed, get out of the u.n. and kick them out of the country, close our borders and deport all illegals, bring every military member back home and close all foreign military bases. Cut ALL tax rates personal and business to 11%, abolish all unconstitutional federal agencies. It'll hurt but it would help us as a country.

March 05, 2006, 21:31	#12
kev Old Fart Contributor FALaholic #: 71 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Indiana and various others Posts: 5,160	I remember that from WAY back. Still think it's the best thing I've ever read on the internet. FWIW, this is how it's saved to my harddrive. Don't know where the name came from? FAL Reborn by Phil 'MADDOG' Yantis.htm __________________ Gun control is not about guns; it's about control. RUE?

March 07, 2006, 14:40	#13
lew Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 16727 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 8,553	Nice story. I have number 57 waiting to be built, in addition to my R1 that was completed a month ago. There's no feeling like bringing and old rifle back to life.

March 07, 2006, 20:28	#14
whirlibird Registered FALaholic #: 5039 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SW Wyoming Posts: 901	#33 is smiling on the rack. A copy is tacked next to him. __________________ Don't leave til tomorrow, that which you can gleefully blast into inexistence now.

March 08, 2006, 10:08	#15
richbug Registered FALaholic #: 10484 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Western PA Posts: 4,692	I bought #RD1024 back to life today. She is a 1953 Hungarian MN. Bought as a U-FIX-EM. missing Bolthead, magazine latch and front sight when I got her. She made thunder today, and is presently torn apart in the kitchen sink to degrease.

May 23, 2012, 21:11	#16
SmokeEater2 Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 10990 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Arkansas Posts: 3,799	A bump to the top for any noobs who've never got to read this before.

May 23, 2012, 22:21	#17
kwthor Veteran Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 49571 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OR Posts: 1,066	Thanks for the bump. __________________ My prediction is it will be a gruesome massacre. Why? Because one side in this conflict has 8 Trillion bullets & the other side doesn’t know which bathroom to use. Craig “Sawman” Sawyer, a Marine veteran, former Navy SEAL

May 25, 2012, 14:19	#20
medicmike Registered FALaholic #: 3183 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Florence, OR Posts: 6,270	Radio was one of the good guys.....sure miss seeing his posts around here. Thanks for the bump

May 28, 2012, 12:14	#21
paul fowler Registered FALaholic #: 38493 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: west virginia Posts: 117	WOW! Wonderful, read this to my son. I'm in the middle of my 5th build. Thanks, very appropriate on memorial day. Paul F

June 26, 2012, 11:58	#23
FLASH-HIDR Registered FALaholic #: 6304 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bozeman,MT. Posts: 623	Rifles DO have souls! My wartime Finn Mosins talk to me every day...No, I'm not crazy.

June 27, 2012, 14:16	#24
okiefarmer Curio & Relic Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 3248 Join Date: May 2001 Location: northern Oklahoma/green country Posts: 4,082	Radio, Empty your PM file, I can't send one, it's full o stuff. Thanks for that most excellent read. I gotta get back on the kits I bought some years back and ran out of time to do them with the move.

June 30, 2012, 18:49	#26
okiefarmer Curio & Relic Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 3248 Join Date: May 2001 Location: northern Oklahoma/green country Posts: 4,082	Well duh, I just queried, came up with that thread, looked at the last reply, seeing it was just the other day. I had not kept up with al those who have left this earth. Sorry 'bout that, and thanks for the head's up. okie out

December 15, 2017, 15:39	#27
gw104 Registered FALaholic #: 33874 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: indy Posts: 224	Had to bring this back to life.

December 16, 2017, 09:47	#28
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 25,808	Made me sad - I clicked, saw the reel-to-reel and immediately felt like shit. Radio, shlomo, and too many others. __________________ T. Mark Graham, Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

December 16, 2017, 09:48	#29
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 25,808	Made me sad - I clicked, saw the reel-to-reel and immediately felt like shit. Radio, shlomo, DunkRD and too many others. __________________ T. Mark Graham, Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

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