My object is a gun that belonged to my great grandfather, Harvey Michael Braden. The firearm is a 1963 Winchester model 88 .243 caliber. He passed the gun down to my dad in 2000 when my dad started showing an interest in hunting. Hunting was first introduced 3 million years ago although it has vastly developed since then. They hunted for food, protection of livestock farms, and eventually poaching. The freedom to hunt whatever animal they pleased  eventually led to forest destruction and the extinction of various species. There were soon laws placed requiring a permit and education on the safety of owning a firearm. The specific gun my great grandfather owned was manufactured in 1963. The Winchester model 88 began production in the 1950s and was discontinued in the 1970s. The prospect of hunting was very important to my great grandfather’s family. It was how he was able to feed his wife and kids. In 1961, their house caught fire and burned down. He lost every gun that he had collected. After the fire, he had no way of providing food for his family. After he had reinstated his gun collection, he proceeded to carry on the tradition of hunting. My grandfather taught my dad and his brothers how to hunt growing up. My dad then passed the tradition down to my siblings and I. My great grandfather’s legacy has been passed down through multiple generations as well as many others to come.

– Landry Braden

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more