My Gun Drought Ends

[theotherwaldo]

I had put my gun acquisitions on hold for about a year so that I could help my sisters through some hard times. The hard times are coming to an end for now, so it's time to start researching my next set of acquisitions.
My current list is limited to a Garand and a large-bore AR upper (caliber to be determined - more research).
My previous targets were:
-Each mechanical variation of Mauser military rifle, along with an array of civilian models;
-Primary issue shoulder arms of the World Wars;
-Finnish military arms;
-"Sporterized" weapons from shortly after each of the wars in question, and;
-Common sporting rifles of the 20th century, primarily as used in America.
So - what should I be looking for next?

 

[DannyLandrum]

I'd have to know more about what you already have and what you want to do with them. But....

"Common sporting rifles of the 20th century, primarily as used in America."

Hard to go wrong with a ubiquitous Winchester 70 featherweight - the new ones are excellent quality.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I tend to gather up the abused and ignored guns from the backs of closets, the guns that get pulled out just before hunting season and traded for "modern" hunting weapons that are garnished in black plastic and have that "new gun smell."
For example, I opted for a Sears Model 53 in .30-06 rather than its Winchester equivalent. More "Middle-American" - and cheaper.
Anyway, most modern guns bore me,

 

[tark]

I collect Remington sporting rifles of the 20th century, among other things. Why Remington's? Because they don't get nearly the respect that Winchester's do. A 98% Remington model 12 is going to be half the price of a 98% Winchester 1906. I"ll leave the "which one is better" debate to others. The Winchester pump 22s were Browning designs, the Remington's, John Pederson's. That's just one Example.

I also like collecting guns that most people dislike, for whatever reason, Webley's, because they are ugly to most people. Mosin Nagants and Arisaks used to be in this category, but lately Mosins are getting the respect they deserve. Same with the Arisaka's.

Now I'm reduced to chasing down Carcano's and Lebel's. Hope nobody realizes that they are actually excellent weapons too!!

 

[cheygriz]

British SMLE WW1 and WW2 are very interesting collectibles.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've got a fair number of SMLEs, Lee-Metfords, Carcanos, Arisakas, Mosins, SKSs, ARs, AKs, 03s, 03a3s, M 17s, a Krag, a Trapdoor, K31s, MAS 36s, a 49/56, and a number of other military models.
I'm casually looking for a Lebel and a functional Webley to replace my wall-hanger.
I'll also gather in another of the weapons mentioned above if they jump in front of me and don't cost too much.
Still, I enjoy doing research (I'm a librarian, after all) and I'm trying to come up with a new category to research and seek out.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

CMP 1911

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

No collection is complete without a 99 Savage or two......

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Some handgun suggestions......

 

[WestKentucky]

Victory model smith.

And I am kinda along your lines. I want a “personal” weapon from every american war. Not the issued big name govt contract gun that EVeRYBODY has 2 of, but the gun that kept the wife safe while hubby trekked around the world preserving democracy, or kept the family fed while the farmer was overseas. To that effect, I have gathered a few, several are heirlooms that came down through the family after serving the roles I just described. So I submit...

Something that says Wards, Western Auto, Sears, etc on the side. Stevens guns, not savage. And then in the line of handguns, it’s hard to go wrong with Smith and Colt revolvers, but there are some really special NEF, H&R, and High Standard guns.

 

[theotherwaldo]

-I'm kind of partial to guns bearing names like Ted Williams or High Standard, too.

 

[DannyLandrum]

That would be an interesting theme around which to base a Blue Collar Collection: All the Western Field, Montgomery Ward, Sears, Ted Williams, OTASCO, JC Penney, Coast to Coast, etc., offerings ever sold.

https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/store_brandhouse_guns.html

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

That would be an interesting theme around which to base a Blue Collar Collection: All the Western Field, Montgomery Ward, Sears, Ted Williams, OTASCO, JC Penney, Coast to Coast, etc., offerings ever sold.

https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/store_brandhouse_guns.html

My Dad has that collection! More due to his being, ummm, frugal, than any intent to go that way, but still......lol.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Love those Savages. Been wanting one in 250-3000 for a long time.

 

[FROGO207]

I tend to collect the firearms that are dropped off at the island of misfit ordnance. The stuff someone casts off as broken, rusted, or bubba'd beyond reasonable repair and bring them back to useful with loving care. I have been told that I have an accumulation rather than a collection but several LGS save those abused things just for me so I can make them whole again. Not that I will ever make my money back if I sell them though. Fixing them back to functional is almost as much fun as getting someone new to like and own guns.........almost. Glad the rough spot is over for you. If everyone had to go through a rough spot early in life the population in general would IMHO be a more tolerant/compassionate as a group.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Yeah, reviving neglected and abused guns is a lot of fun.
Right now I'm getting the creases out of the magazine housing of a 1907 Winchester in .30 Win.
Soon I'll be able to get some brass to really try it out. (My modified .30-30 brass made me nervous.)

 

[WestKentucky]

Yeah, reviving neglected and abused guns is a lot of fun.
Right now I'm getting the creases out of the magazine housing of a 1907 Winchester in .30 Win.
Soon I'll be able to get some brass to really try it out. (My modified .30-30 brass made me nervous.)

Never heard of .30 Winchester, but I have heard of .30 Winchester center fire (30-30). What is different?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Never heard of .30 Winchester, but I have heard of .30 Winchester center fire (30-30). What is different?

Pretty sure he meant .32 or .351 WSL- the '07 was the Winchester Self Loading rifle.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Sorry, my typo. It's a Model 1908 in .30 win. I bought it cheap because someone tried to remove the (fixed) magazine with a pair of vise grips. Also, seller thought it was in the more common .35 win.

 

[FROGO207]

I have never seen that cartridge but IIRC it is almost the same as the 30 Remington round. Which is basically a rimless 30-30 that works in a box MAG on the firearm. Have any pictures of that beast for us? please and thank you

 

[JONWILL]

Would love to see your Military Mauser collection. One of my favorite actions. Any chance you could post pictures?

 

[theotherwaldo]

I quit posting pictures of my guns about ten years ago, when I noticed that scammers on auction sites were using them to sell non-existent guns. I tried to start posting pics again last year but I couldn't get my recycled Dell computer that runs on the Ubuntu OS to recognize any of my cameras.
A new computer is also on the acquisition list.
Then we'll see about posting pictures.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Never heard of .30 Winchester, but I have heard of .30 Winchester center fire (30-30). What is different?

Nothing. It was .30 Winchester Center Fire, and when Marlin adopted the cartridge for it's arms, it called it .30-30 for the normal powder charge, not wanting to use Winchester's name. Eventually though, it became .30-30 Winchester.

 

[Dibbs]

Lately I've been looking at pistol/carbine combos of the same caliber.
Right now, I'm sizing up 454 Casull. Punchy caliber, through a rifle barrel.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I'm always doing that.

It's a Remington Model 1908 that I was working on - and it's chambered in .30 Remington.
My only excuse is that all of the ammo that I currently have for it is marked Winchester, as it is cut from .30-30 brass.
-Also, it is the only non-military Remington long gun that I have.