In Memoriam: Terence “Terry” Turnbull

posted on May 6, 2019
tumbul.jpg

Norris Terence “Terry” Turnbull, father of Doug Turnbull of Turnbull Restoration Co., Inc., passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 84 on Jan. 20, 2019, in Rochester, N.Y.

Born on May 21, 1934, in Niagara Falls, Turnbull grew up on Grand Island, N.Y., became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Tonawanda High School, where he was on the swimming team and made the National Honor Society. He attended the University of Rochester (class of 1956), where he enjoyed collegiate swimming and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Industrial Statistics.

Turnbull worked for a short time at the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. in Ford City, Pa. He also worked for many years at the Taylor Instrument Co. in Rochester, N.Y. An NRA Life member and member of the Winchester Arms Collectors Ass’n (#64), Turnbull and his wife Joan started Creekside Gun Shop in Holcomb, N.Y., in 1957. It became the largest firearm retailer in New York state—Turnbull managed Creekside until his retirement in 2001.

Outside the office, Turnbull was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed traveling, camping, snorkeling, fishing, hunting, skiing, piloting his seaplane and photography. He was a founding member of the Holcomb, N.Y., Rotary Club and was involved with numerous conservation clubs. He also enjoyed glassblowing, guitar playing, playing euchre, chemistry and gunsmithing. Turnbull had a passion for teaching and helping people at Creekside when they had problems with their firearms and was always ready to go the extra mile to help customers get their firearms ready for deer season.

Perhaps Turnbull’s greatest legacy in the firearm industry is the contribution he and his son, Doug Turnbull, made to reviving the lost art of color case hardening and charcoal bluing. Naturally confident, intuitive and intelligent, Turnbull’s training in chemistry and passion for firearms helped him perfect the traditional bone-charcoal metal finishes, allowing his son’s restoration business to grow and thrive into what it is today.

Additional Reading:
Turnbull Adds New Winchester 1892 Lever-Action Rifles  
Henry Turnbull Lever-Action Rifle Announced  
A Milestone in Wood and Steel  

Latest

Argentinian Auction Piece
Argentinian Auction Piece

Rifleman Q&A: Argentinian Auction Piece

"I purchased this .22-cal., six-shot, double-action revolver with a very good bore at auction. The barrel is 1.5" long, octagonal and engraved. Can you tell me more about it?"

The Rifleman Report: Magnificent Milestones

The last major milestone that I remember marking our nation’s founding, the 1976 bicentennial, occurred when I was a high schooler, a year before I enlisted in a nearby military academy’s Junior ROTC program.

 

NRA Partners With Specialists To Enhance Hearing Health

Start Hearing and SoundGear have partnered with the NRA to promote hearing health, safety and protection among members.

Bill Bachenberg Elected NRA President, Doug Hamlin Unanimously Reelected as NRA Executive Vice President & CEO

Today, the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), elected Bill Bachenberg of Pennsylvania as President of the NRA and Doug Hamlin as NRA Executive Vice President & CEO.

Review: Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph

Garmin is a longtime provider of useful electronics for outdoor enthusiasts, including handheld GPS units, archery optics and smartwatches. Near the end of 2023, the company expanded its offerings in a fresh direction by offering its very first chronograph, dubbed the Xero C1 Pro.

The Armed Citizen® April 28, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.