My dad bought a Winchester model 12 right after he got out of the army in 1947. It was a 16 gauge and I wanted a 16 too. For Christmas 1959 he bought me an Ithaca 37, 16. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Married my college sweetheart in 63 and a year later her a-hole brother broke into my house and stole all my guns. He fenced them to some pawn shop and I never saw them again. Hated that chit head to this day.
Never did get along with my brother-in-law. The guy drinks too much. But... damn... you sure did top that.