Collectors Lust

[Robertroadking]

I’m hardly a collector, but I have some things of interest, I can’t see the importance people put on some items. A well known named shotgun will bring big money opposed to a less knob one that actually has more historical significance.
An example is Massachusetts Arms. Most people never heard of them and wouldn’t give $100 for a single shot 12 ga., yet that manufacture was tied to some big names and the starting point of other well known companies.
Names like Stevens, Smith , Wesson, Sharps and Maynard.
Sure the guns may have been crude compared to ones produced later , but to me hardware store shotguns churned out by crescent scream Americana, maybe because I grew up in Rural Dixie (are we still allowed to say that?) where every home had at least one, but I would rather have ten of these than one Winchester that I only saw on tv.

[etprescottazusa91]

I have lost much of my lust, I am really giving consideration to not having a 20th century military rifle collection anymore or at least really narrowing my focus. Still enjoy them, I am wondering these days if somebody else might enjoy some of this stuff more?

[SA1911a1]

I’m hardly a collector, but I have some things of interest, I can’t see the importance people put on some items. A well known named shotgun will bring big money opposed to a less knob one that actually has more historical significance.
An example is Massachusetts Arms. Most people never heard of them and wouldn’t give $100 for a single shot 12 ga., yet that manufacture was tied to some big names and the starting point of other well known companies.
Names like Stevens, Smith , Wesson, Sharps and Maynard.
Sure the guns may have been crude compared to ones produced later , but to me hardware store shotguns churned out by crescent scream Americana, maybe because I grew up in Rural Dixie (are we still allowed to say that?) where every home had at least one, but I would rather have ten of these than one Winchester that I only saw on tv.

I agree with you. We may both be suffering from the same ailment. It may be sentimentilistassholeis. (I think that is French)

I was perusing a really high end firearm auction where some of the pieces carried high six digit prices. One of these items was a matched set of Purdy shotguns; now tell me what the hell would you do with a matched pair of Purdy shotguns? They are nice guns, I know that, the engraving was gorgeous, and I am sure that they were built by the best old world artist and gun-makers. If I had unlimited funds, I would't want them. Guns in that kind of price range are status symbols for people with too much money, nothing more or less.

Not too long ago I bought an old Forehand .16 ga. single shot that had the owner's SSN engraved on it, I was able to find the owner's death record. The shotgun was built between 1902 and 1914, the owner was born in 1902. It makes you wonder about the history, and makes me wonder why family members would ever let such a treasure out of the family. Perhaps the Father or Grandfather bought the gun new for the new baby, or maybe it was his first shotgun when he was old enough to shoot one. Of course, he could have bought it at a pawn shop three months before he died in June of 1978, but I like to think not. I bought the gun for nearly nothing because, who wants a 100 year old, single shot, .16 ga?

[SA1911a1]

I have lost much of my lust, I am really giving consideration to not having a 20th century military rifle collection anymore or at least really narrowing my focus. Still enjoy them, I am wondering these days if somebody else might enjoy some of this stuff more?

You will never know. They may go on to be someone else's treasure, or the may become scrap iron shipped to China, to come back in a cheap Walmart lamp.

One nice thing about having a son with similar likes, is my favorite guns will be in the family for at least one more generation and they will be part of my legend. I have already passed on some of my favorites to him, and it made me happier than continuing to own them myself.

Just two days ago, I was talking to my former business partner, who is not long for this world, and who only has one step son,that he raised, he was talking about his really nice modern gun collection, saying that before he would let his thieving, dope-head stepson get any of his guns he would throw them in the river. This guy is a "mountain man" type, very literal, and he really means it too. I was polite enough not to ask a dying man which river and which bridge. (but I did think about it)

[steelbuttplate]

I've been thinking when that time comes, or when I get to old to shoot them, about having an estate sale while I'm still alive. Some of this younger generation is spooky about shooting old guns and you can't change their minds. It would be better to take the money from them and invest it in Gold, stocks, etc. than to let them have guns that they will have to go thru the trouble of selling. It's my passion and that is something you can't hand down. Maybe to a few.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Crescent arms, they made the New York Gun co 12 gauge double hammer gun I actually carried with me on my nightly walks around the facility back in the 80's. One pocket I carried rice and rock salt loads, the other buckshot, if I mixed them up tough shit. I still have that gun, it still works just fine, and I acquired another eight or nine like it since then. Along with it I have Remington 1889, Winchester 1878, H&R , Ithaca, numerous Belgian made doubles, and some front stuffers. Even one modern 1982 IGA coach gun. None of these older guns are crude compared to later produced ones, exactly the opposite. As time went on labor cost went up and much of the hand finishing found on even less expensive guns from the 1880-1920's went by the wayside. That IGA is solid, and reliable, but it looks like shit compared to the 1889 Remington, or the Crescent " New Empire" original period coach gun. The US Krag is built like they intended it for display at the Met alongside the old world masters greatest creations. Best fit and finish of any rifle this country ever fielded, and for common infantry, not honor guard. Today we have plastic and aluminum creations that may do the job, but no soul.

[awalker1829]

I've been thinking when that time comes, or when I get to old to shoot them, about having an estate sale while I'm still alive. Some of this younger generation is spooky about shooting old guns and you can't change their minds. It would be better to take the money from them and invest it in Gold, stocks, etc. than to let them have guns that they will have to go thru the trouble of selling. It's my passion and that is something you can't hand down. Maybe to a few.

That reminds me of a story that a latter day barnstormer wrote about a cross country flight that he made with several other barnstormers (about thirty years ago). They were offering rides to the public and one older lady asked him "Are these planes safe?" His response was "Of course they are ma'am. How do you think they got to be old?" With an old gun design, the industry has had time to discover any possible issues. If the gun is in decent operating condition, I have no issues shooting it as long as I stay within the design parameters.

[ffuries]

Crescent arms, they made the New York Gun co 12 gauge double hammer gun I actually carried with me on my nightly walks around the facility back in the 80's. One pocket I carried rice and rock salt loads, the other buckshot, if I mixed them up tough shit. I still have that gun, it still works just fine, and I acquired another eight or nine like it since then. Along with it I have Remington 1889, Winchester 1878, H&R , Ithaca, numerous Belgian made doubles, and some front stuffers. Even one modern 1982 IGA coach gun. None of these older guns are crude compared to later produced ones, exactly the opposite. As time went on labor cost went up and much of the hand finishing found on even less expensive guns from the 1880-1920's went by the wayside. That IGA is solid, and reliable, but it looks like shit compared to the 1889 Remington, or the Crescent " New Empire" original period coach gun. The US Krag is built like they intended it for display at the Met alongside the old world masters greatest creations. Best fit and finish of any rifle this country ever fielded, and for common infantry, not honor guard. Today we have plastic and aluminum creations that may do the job, but no soul.

My grandfather did a stint as a prison guard and would guard the prisoners on the highway work detail. They had one prisoner that was a big one, as my GF said he blocked out the sun. Well he threw his pick axe down, said he was done, and was leaving. Went on to say none of yall are big enough to stop me, and if I ain't running you can't shoot me.

My grandfather said fine go on your way, oh by the way this double barrel right here, has one barrel with rock salt to make you run, and the other with double 00 to stop you. My GF said the guy looked at him and said your bluffing. My GF asked if he was willing to take that gamble. They looked at each other for bit, the guy picked up his pick axe and went back to work.

Asked my GF if he was serious, he said yeap, rock salt in one barrel and double 00 in the other. Oh and an ass full of rock salt will make you run, don't believe me just ask your daddy.......Now that's another story!

[Miller Tyme]

Not only will Rock Salt make you run it will shread a new pair of Levis, or so I am told

[ffuries]

Not only will Rock Salt make you run it will shread a new pair of Levis, or so I am told

Apparently my dad came home late one night and tried to sneak in thru the window. My grandfather thought it was the boy friend of one of my dad's sisters sneaking in. He let lose with a blast of rock salt in the perpetrator's backside.

My dad had trouble sitting for a while. My grandfather said "Your daddy was never late again" and after word got around "The boys didn't come around the house for the girls", and then said "Two problems dealt with, with one shot".

Miss my grandfather he was a funny man, and told some hilarious stories.......I bet he has them rolling upstairs that's for sure.