Oddest/Most Interesting/Weirdest Gun Purchase You've Made

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

NCSUPackman

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
97
Location
Charlotte, NC
Since the stay at home order has given me some added free time to go through my gun room, I thought about two interesting $75 dollar purchases I made (that ended up costing me more)

The first one was a 50s era Marlin 336 in 35 Remington, that was missing the Lever and the Bolt.

I walked into my local gun shop on day and the guy behind the counter mentioned he might have something I'd be interested in, since I was in with my Dad the day before has he was buying himself a used Marlin 336 in 30-30.
As the salesman handed the gun to me he saw the HUH? look on my face and explained:
The owner had gone back up to visit New Jersey and removed the lever and the bolt to make the gun "safe" to take back. However, he then forgot where he put the parts and sold it when he moved back up to New Jersey permanently.
The bluing and the wood were perfect. I thought, "Well, I've spent $75 dollars on worse things" and took it home.

Took it to a local gunsmith who suggested he would keep it in the back and when a used gun comes in suitable only for parts, he would use that to replace it as buying the parts outright would be too expensive compared to what the gun was worth.

Gave me a call a few weeks later that one had come into the shop in not-so-great condition but mechanically was great. Another $200 in parts in labor, I had a functioning Marlin.

The second one was a Interarms Walther PPK.
A local range had taken it in on consignment but the gun had gotten a squib load and the barrel was bulged. The grips were off a PPK copy, and the magazine was a pre-war with a bakelite finger rest. The range called the guy to come pick the gun up was it wasn't sell-able but they couldn't contact him. I asked about the gun a couple times and finally they said if I was still interested they wanted it gone; it has been in the store going on 3 years and could never get in contact with the guy so make an offer! I offered $50 and they countered with $75. Again thinking "I've spent $75 on worse things" I took it home
A few trips to the gunsmith to get a new barrel and a new extractor (There were a few feeding issues after they installed the barrel so after re-polishing the feed ramp, the extractor broke during the test firing and they ate the cost of a extractor) the gun shoots like it's brand new. I was able to replace the grips with proper set of Walther ones and found some magazines fairly easily.
All in all it cost me around $300. I figured being $375 into a Walther PPK isn't too bad.

I don't usually buy broken guns but with the initial investment of $75 dollars I figured I could have made that back in parts.

Anyone have any similar stories of buying a "project" gun or buying a gun with some very interesting gunsmithing done to it?
 
I usually go the other way. I spent way more than the guns are worth getting a couple Winchester 67 and 67a rifles back in functional shape; one had three or four squib bullets mid barrel and it was bulged and bent, and I’ve spent more than it would have cost to buy complete shotguns piecing a few Winchester 1200/1300/120 ranger pumps together from receivers and parts. Somehow it always seems like a deal when I find a cheap receiver. I never learn.
 
I guess that'd be when I picked up my first .32 S&W Long revolver. I had no idea if I could get ammunition or dies for it, but I had to have it nonetheless. Found dies and commercial ammunition both, so two more .32 Long revolvers came into my life in quick succession. Which is weird, because I haven't seen one for sale since-- the three I have all happened in a two-week period, but the Magic Revolver Fountain has dried up.
 
I picked up a barreled action with trigger guard/mag assembly Mosin 91/30 at a gun show for $25. Found an M44 stock on Ebay for $10. For $35 plus $5 for the action screws, I had a working Mosin. It also happens to be my most accurate, even more so than my M91/59.
I walked into an LGS that had two Mosins in ATI plastic stocks in the rack, both priced at $125. Both labelled M44's. Only one of them was one, a '44 Ishevsk. The other was a 1916 Sestroryetsk M91. Learning how to read Russian payed off that day. The only gunsmith part to that one was finding an M91 stock.
 
All of mine are project guns....

Oddest duck i got has its own thread here
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/new-arisaka-project.813038/page-2

The short of it is i bought it as a 7.7 arisaka sporter sans bolt. I found out it was a short chambered 06. Took it to my local smith, who couldnt get the barrel off. I did that sent it to shaw and had it rebarreled to 6.5-284, and THEN bought 2 stocks for it lol.
 
NCSUPackman said:
Anyone have any similar stories of buying a "project" gun or buying a gun with some very interesting gunsmithing done to it?
Click to expand...
About 8 years ago I went to pick up a shotgun I had left with a gunsmith to get the barrel threaded for tubes. Gunsmith had passed away before getting to my gun, and the widow was working with another local smith to get people belongings either back to them or to someone else who could do the work. My gun was untouched, but there was a guy being a bit of a jerk about a revolver he was getting back in a kids pencil box completely disassembled. I specifically remember hearing “what the hell am I going to do with a jigsaw puzzle of a gun that’s a hundred years old and is broken” I had 80 bucks and told him I was game for buying his box. Last night I finally got the right part installed and got it together and working properly. It was my first S&W, an 1898 safety hammerless reblued by S&W in 64 and the refinish is still deep dark and beautiful.

About 5 years ago a coworker who knew I was into guns asked if I had a single shot shotgun to sell, and I didn’t. He asked me if I knew anybody who might be interested in a weird old lever rifle that fed from a clip and shot .30 carbine, and I said I might. He said he had been given the gun to give his son as a first gun but he didn’t know how to work it or if it would even shoot. I gave him the money to go to Walmart, but a single shot and a bulk pack of rounds, and I ended up with a marlin 62 that currently sells around $600.

I was working a couple years ago... actually in the restroom... and randomly hopped on Gunbroker. 3 minutes left on an ugly old gun made by Colt, no reserve, no bids, started at $0.25 and I couldn’t miss that chance, so I quickly registered for an account and won the revolver for $0.25. I have shot it but it’s really not safe, but it does date back to 1873ish.

Most recent blind squirrel event was totally out of character even for me. I sold a boat motor and had cash sitting around. I have been watching stuff recently and decided I was gonna grab the first solid deal I ran across. So I tried and missed a couple and widened my search. Stumbled across a couple “as is” S&W revolvers with thorough descriptions from Accurate Law Enforcement on Gunbroker (no affiliation, I was just thrilled with their open and honest approach, and descriptions that made me certain I could get the guns working). I won 2 of the 3 I wanted, the i-frame went too high, but I stumbled into another duo of “as is” revolvers in a Miroku 38 and Charter Undercover, and again the descriptions were clear and I felt confident that I could fix problems if there were any. The Miroku is unfired, and was “as-is” because it was gummed up with 1960s cosmoline and was pared up with the charter which was sold “as-is” because it’s a bit rough, seemingly from being carried a lot and shot a fair amount. Likely a cops backup. I won those too, so in 1 day I bought 4 projects and they are all already buttoned up and ready to make some noise.
 
Stopped in a Gander Mountain and looked at the used rack. Saw a nice Mauser tagged M38 Turk $99,00. I took it right to the counter and bought it. Another salesman came by and looked the purchase over and told me. "Thats not a Turk". I replied "It,s not?? Thats ok". Took home a matching M38 Oberndorf Swede.
Back when Sportsmens Guide had good stuff cheap I ordered a 14ga Greener Egyption Police shotgun for 79.00. The statement said it was unshootable. I knew about the 3 prong firing pin and bottle neck round but I thought it was cool. Got it and cleaned it up. I was happy. Then I found it was a early model with standard FP and 14ga chamber that16ga shells wrapped with 2" masking tape worked fine. I was real happy.
 
June of 2008 I put a bid on a Sestroryetsk M91 barreled action, bolt and trigger housing and then left for the weekend. Upon returning I found out that I had won it. Little did I know how difficult it would be to find a stock for it. I tried a few bids on auction sites but they went for well over $100 with no handguard, bands or buttplate. Searching online produced nothing. I figured that a 91/30 stock was going to have to work. But, April 2010 on another forums "For sale" section someone ran an add for a M91 stock $40 shipped. With buttplate, cleaning rod and shims. It took me all of 2 seconds to just post an "I'll take it!" as opposed to asking questions or requesting pics which others had. Even if it turned out to be a 91/30 stock I can make it work. What I got amazed me to say the least. An actual one piece M91 stock, handguard, bands, cleaning rod and a Sestroryetsk buttplate. The whole project came in at just under $200.

Ses3.jpg
 
1895 Nagant revolver. A revolver without cylinder gap blow out... hard to beat that for unique! It was well worth the $80 I paid for it just to take it apart and analyze how the action works. Experiencing how it actually shoots in person is just icing on the cake. I wish I had ordered a second one at the time considering the price. It would have been a fun silenced revolver project... but I would never butcher my only copy.

P08 and 96 "Broom handle" Mauser would tie for second.

For a long gun, AG42 Ljugman would have to be my favorite. It is the simplest semi-auto rifle action I have even seen and breaks down for cleaning in about 1 second (Literally, not exaggerating much at all).

index.php
 
Last edited:
My addition to this thread is my USGI M1 Carbine that I found on Gunbroker. The previous year I had bought another carbine off of Gunbroker, a Universal Gen 1. I loaded it up, and put about 3 rounds through it before something didn't feel quite right. As soon as I took it apart, I found that the trigger pack was cracked and broken. Since all Universal M1 Carbines are made with aluminum trigger packs, well....trying to find a decent replacement is quite a chore. I finally found something worth while on Gunbroker. Its...an odd duck for sure. An Inland M1 Carbine with a Winchester Model 77 barrel in 22. lr soldered into place. But I couldn't pass it up for $300 bucks! So, its trigger pack is now in my Universal, and I have a good supply of other USGI parts available. The receiver I might do something with in the future.
gun 55.jpg
 
Mostly I’m the guy who does the interesting Gunsmithing to the guns. Probably one of the oddest was when I took a bubba’d and rusted 1879 hotchkiss, and turned it into my interpretation of the “American safari rifle” sort of like a historical fiction piece with its roots in accurate representation of features of the time. The original donor was long gone so I didn’t feel bad giving it New life, and the parts that were still in tact are original and can be used on an original configured hotchkiss if need be.
The rear sight is off an 1896krag, and front hood off an 1884 trapdoor, also has an ivory bead. The stock I reshaped to give the aesthetic and had to reshape the cocking piece (it was chipped at an angle and wouldn’t stay cocked)
7948D249-8584-4E61-9987-3436C4492DEA.jpeg
Ps this gun feeds cartridges in the coolest way ever, check out the video.
 
Jessesky said:
Mostly I’m the guy who does the interesting Gunsmithing to the guns. Probably one of the oddest was when I took a bubba’d and rusted 1879 hotchkiss, and turned it into my interpretation of the “American safari rifle” sort of like a historical fiction piece with its roots in accurate representation of features of the time. The original donor was long gone so I didn’t feel bad giving it New life, and the parts that were still in tact are original and can be used on an original configured hotchkiss if need be.
The rear sight is off an 1896krag, and front hood off an 1884 trapdoor, also has an ivory bead. The stock I reshaped to give the aesthetic and had to reshape the cocking piece (it was chipped at an angle and wouldn’t stay cocked)
View attachment 911094
Ps this gun feeds cartridges in the coolest way ever, check out the video.
Click to expand...

Love that gun and the video!
 
Jessesky said:
Mostly I’m the guy who does the interesting Gunsmithing to the guns. Probably one of the oddest was when I took a bubba’d and rusted 1879 hotchkiss, and turned it into my interpretation of the “American safari rifle” sort of like a historical fiction piece with its roots in accurate representation of features of the time. The original donor was long gone so I didn’t feel bad giving it New life, and the parts that were still in tact are original and can be used on an original configured hotchkiss if need be.
The rear sight is off an 1896krag, and front hood off an 1884 trapdoor, also has an ivory bead. The stock I reshaped to give the aesthetic and had to reshape the cocking piece (it was chipped at an angle and wouldn’t stay cocked)
View attachment 911094
Ps this gun feeds cartridges in the coolest way ever, check out the video.
Click to expand...


Really like how that shell jumps into the breech. Like a salmon going up river.. So neat
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
This one was pretty oddball-
View attachment 911096
Rhinemetal Dreyse pistol. Way overbuilt for a .32, but never could get it to run right.

Most people probably consider the Astra "pipewrench" guns odd, but I really like my A600-
View attachment 911097

The FR8 looks odd, but is actually a really useful little Mauser (Gunnys picture)-
View attachment 911098
Click to expand...


Do not know which is neater the Dreyse or the Astra 600.. What is wrong with the Dreyse?? what does it do?? or in this case not do..
 
I live for Odd Ball. Two I had built were

1/2 Scale volley gun in 50 caliber

volley2.jpg

volley1.jpg


And a 1/2 scale 75 caliber Hotchkiss revolving Cannon with a naval mount

hopkiss1.jpg

hopkiss2.jpg

The genius of the Hotchkiss gun is that there are 2 moving parts, 3 if you count the spring. Also because the crank is set up like a Bull Dog the rate of fire is very very very fast
 
indy1919a4 said:
Do not know which is neater the Dreyse or the Astra 600.. What is wrong with the Dreyse?? what does it do?? or in this case not do..
Click to expand...
My example jammed constantly, and I didnt feel like trying to obtain/ fabricate a second magazine or new springs for it so I passed it on down the road.

My A600 has never jammed in over 500 rounds, not once- and I actually like the ergos, tiny sights, and dont find the recoil objectionable. I can understand how its not for everyone, though.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
My example jammed constantly, and I didnt feel like trying to obtain/ fabricate a second magazine or new springs for it so I passed it on down the road.

My A600 has never jammed in over 500 rounds, not once- and I actually like the ergos, tiny sights, and dont find the recoil objectionable. I can understand how its not for everyone, though.
Click to expand...


Man you need to get another Dreyse.. They are so neat.. Now I found them to be a pain to work the slide, it is very stout. But it has such a nice look..
and if you get anal about collecting them you can go broke on all the variations..

Only issue I had with my Astra is one time as I shot the nose locking cap worked free and flew down the range with the spring. :)
 
Last edited:
I would say one of my more interesting purchases has been buying my Star Super in 9mm Largo. I just love the way with a simple turn of a lever, the slide slips off like butter. It has always fascinated me how simple and strong it is. Back in the "way back machine" Sarcoinc had quite a lot of Star pistols. This one just spoke to me, and after getting input from my brother in law, his father, an uncle, and a few friends who told me not to get it, I bought it. :) Yes, 9mm Largo doesn't grow on trees, but Starline has some great reloading brass, and I scored a few boxes of 9mm Largo from a limited run that Blazer made at a gunshow. Still is my favorite pistol, my pistol of no regret. Best $135 well spent.

largo.jpg largo 2.jpg largo 3.jpg largo 4.jpg
 
MosinT53Hunter said:
I would say one of my more interesting purchases has been buying my Star Super in 9mm Largo. I just love the way with a simple turn of a lever, the slide slips off like butter. It has always fascinated me how simple and strong it is. Back in the "way back machine" Sarcoinc had quite a lot of Star pistols. This one just spoke to me, and after getting input from my brother in law, his father, an uncle, and a few friends who told me not to get it, I bought it. :) Yes, 9mm Largo doesn't grow on trees, but Starline has some great reloading brass, and I scored a few boxes of 9mm Largo from a limited run that Blazer made at a gunshow. Still is my favorite pistol, my pistol of no regret. Best $135 well spent.

View attachment 911298 View attachment 911300 View attachment 911301 View attachment 911302
Click to expand...


I have to get one of those.. that is so nice
 
Jessesky said:
Mostly I’m the guy who does the interesting Gunsmithing to the guns. Probably one of the oddest was when I took a bubba’d and rusted 1879 hotchkiss, and turned it into my interpretation of the “American safari rifle” sort of like a historical fiction piece with its roots in accurate representation of features of the time. The original donor was long gone so I didn’t feel bad giving it New life, and the parts that were still in tact are original and can be used on an original configured hotchkiss if need be.
The rear sight is off an 1896krag, and front hood off an 1884 trapdoor, also has an ivory bead. The stock I reshaped to give the aesthetic and had to reshape the cocking piece (it was chipped at an angle and wouldn’t stay cocked)
View attachment 911094
Ps this gun feeds cartridges in the coolest way ever, check out the video.
Click to expand...

I remember drooling over that gun as you posted the original thread. It’s sweet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

38-45 Special
  • Locked
What's the funniest/oddest thing you've heard/seen in a gun shop?
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
7K
3Crows
3Crows
M
  • Locked
The most dangerous alteration you've seen?
2 3 4 5
Replies
104
Views
13K
herrwalther
H
electricfactory
  • Locked
Your most 'interesting' gun purchase
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
J
  • Locked
Opinions wanted on gun purchase from private party.
Replies
16
Views
637
jtward01
J
N
  • Locked
A Great Gun Shop!
Replies
5
Views
628
66912
6
Back
Top