… etc … and agree that anything is better than nothing … etc …
In 1982 they had a "World's Fair" in Knoxville, Tn. We were traveling to see the WF with another couple. I had a bad case of #2 and I had to go really bad and so we stopped at a rest area in the wee morning hours. Place was virtually deserted. I went into the men's room, no one else was in there, I selected a stall and entered it and latched it's door and got all arranged. I had a nickel plated Chart Arms 5 shot .38 Spec revolver that I removed from my side and laid in the crotch of my jeans.
Two or three fellows (
I only ever saw two, but I thought I heard three voices) came into the rest room, yelling profanities, generally being butt-holes, and I could hear them kicking open what I thought must be "shut" stall doors. They kicked mine, it didn't open, they yelled threats, taunts, etc. and it seems to my recollection that they were short of beer money or something.
My right hand was securely holding the revolver's grip (
for secure control) but the revolver was not pointed in their direction, and I kept my seat, and with my other hand I reached forward and unlatched the door. They kicked the door again, it opened just enough (
I think it hit my foot maybe) that one saw the nickel of the revolver I guess and then he let out a shout, and they all skee-daddled. When I finished my business, I returned to the car, both wives were asleep and my buddy was reading a map, they never noticed the wanna be thugs.
One other time, I and my wife and a buddy & his GF were stopped in the parking lot of The Texas Inn in Lynchburg, about 1980 I guess. My wife had gone in to pick up a phoned in order, my buddy & his GF were in the back seat, we were in my '67 Chevelle SS 2dr ht. I wasn't wearing that holster & nickel CA 5 shot revolver, the holster was tucked into the seat beside me. Some guy walked over and opened the passenger door, I reached to secure that revolver, he saw it and quickly backed up and gently shut the car door as he apologized. I don't know if he mistook the car, intended harm or theft, or if he was just drunk, but he did a smooth job of backing out of a potentially bad deal.
So, I guess I owe that little Charter Arms 5 shot .38 .... a "Thank You" …. or two?.