zeebill wrote:martin08 wrote:I have personally met with the seller and viewed specimens of his extensive documented collection. I saw and heard nothing in that meeting to suggest that he was anything but one of the most knowledgeable and studied collectors and historians of Korean and Vietnam War militaria.
If he says that there is a Veteran testimonial, then there is one.
I do not recall this particular piece.
I bought my neighbors WW2 M1 carbine out of his upstairs bedroom closet after cleaning it for him. He said it had not seen the light of day since he was in his twenties. I shot it and held it in my collection for a few years. I sold it to raise money after he died because it always made me melancholy to shoot and hold at the range. Joe had raised two or three kids and was a great guy in many ways. It went to a very knowledgeable friend who collects only US weapons. It had been an early model with the old rear peep sight and no bayonet mount. Maybe a year later I was talking to the buyer and he said it had a repro peep sight on it and after more questioning on my part yeah he was positive and he showed me how he was so positive. Now why would a WW2 vet of obvious good stock lie about a rear sight or not know about it? In my eyes so much for Vet Testimonials! Another reason why I don't listen to stories but just judge the weapon! Bill
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
I'm not a psychologist, but this is a fairly common occurence. People make up stories. They do it for a variety of reasons, such as to conform to what they
wish the story really was. If a story is old enough and has been told enough, even the teller may think it's the truth. I'm sure there must be a clinical name for this.
Having followed a military avocation for some 25 years, I have lots of stories. Heck, if you've lived much past 50 you have lots of stories. I may even embroider or exaggerate (or downplay) details for the benefit of the audience. This is (for the most part) harmless.
I do not, however, make up stories about weapons, and that is because I am a serious collector.
The rear peep sight story may be annoying, but it is not in the same league as the obvious fraud associated with the listing that started this thread.