What do you collect?

[TulaTom]

Whatever I can afford and speaks to me. The problem is more speak to me than I can afford. I'm all over the map, but mainly WWI and WWII milsurps.

[awalker1829]

I also collect old notary and court seals. I've got a small collection right now mostly as they're not easily obtained. These are the embossing seals with dies, not the impressed paper. I have three notary seals-one each from Indiana; Cook County, Illinois and Las Animas County, Colorado. The Illinois and Colorado seals have the notary's name on them.

The other seals are court seals. One reads "Laconia Court No. 260-Instituted May 11th, 1903." An educated guess is that it is from Laconia, New Hampshire. The other seal is from the Municipal Court of the City of New York-Central Jury Part Queens. This seal predates the current unified municipal court system, so it would have last been used in the 1960s. I also have part of another Municipal Court of the City of New York seals. For obvious reasons, official seals are usually destroyed when no longer needed. As a clerk, I routinely place our court's seal on legal documents. Right now, I'm using an old hand seal (we call them "hammers") as my electric embosser broke the other day. So it's out for repairs for who knows how long.

[desdem12]

Whatever I can afford and speaks to me. The problem is more speak to me than I can afford. I'm all over the map, but mainly WWI and WWII milsurps.

This is me also. If I like it and can get it I do, mostly military.

[ffuries]

For me whatever weapon catches my eye, normally I find deals that I can't pass up. I also collect militaria, some which I brought back from deployments or picked up here and there during our assignments here's a link to some of the stuff I have viewtopic.php?f=15&t=27378. My little collection of weapons thus far......

Pistols:

1933 Tula/Nagant Model 1895
1953 Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka BRNO CZ-52 VZ-52
197? JP Sauer & Sohn/Hawes Western Marshall
1979 Armi San Marco Colt 1851 Navy
1991 Ceská Zbrojovka/Browning CZ-83
2013 Taurus PT 111 Millennium G2
2013 SCCY CPX-1 CB
2013 SCCY CPX-1 TT

Long Guns:

1863/1866 Snider Enfield P1853 Mk II**
1879 Waffen Fabrik Bern Swiss Vetterli Model 1869/71
1890 Danzig Commission Rifle Model 1888 aka Gew 88
1894/1927 Izhevsk/Tikkakoski/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891
1894-1896 Oviedo/Mauser (Spanish) Model 1893
1914 Koishikawa Arsenal Type 38 Arisaka
1915-1917/1924-1927 Remington/Böhler Stahl/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/24 “Lotta Rifle”
1917 Tula/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891
1918/1932 Steyr Mannlicher M1895/30
1920-1926 Oviedo/Mauser (Spanish) M1893/1916
1926-1928 Fabrique Nationale d'armes de Guerre M1924/47
1928-1930 Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka VZ-24-JC
1929-1941 Kragujevac Arsenal M1924/47
1932 Izhevsk/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30 PM Marked
1939 Tula/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30
1940-1956 Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Champion
1942 K. Kale/Mauser (Turkish) Model 1938
1942 Izhevsk/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30
1943 Izhevsk/Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30
1943 BSA Shirley M47 Enfield No. 4 Mk 1
1944 Nagoya Arsenal Type 99 Arisaka
1944 Waffen Werke Brunn K98 Mauser
1947 Izhevsk/Mosin-Nagant Model 1944
1948-1949 Manufacture d'armes de Saint Etienne MAS-1936
1954 Romanian/Mosin-Nagant Model 1944
1955 Chongquing Arsenal Type 53
1956 Jianshe Arsenal Sino-Soviet SKS M56
1973 Marlin Original Golden-39M
1975 Remington 1100
2015 Mossberg Int’l 702 Plinkster

[Greasemonkey]

I collect nothing... hoard is the term the wife uses.

I hoard things that go bang.

I'm an equal opportunity hoarder, I discriminate against no "old, curio or antique" firearm.

[King Johhny]

My goal was to get the 5 battle rifles of WW2, so once I got that done I got an M1 Carbine because my Grandfather used one in WW2. Now, I'm not really sure, I'm thinking of saving up for an SVT40 maybe...We'll see

[Junk Yard Dog]

5 rifles? The SVT40 is also a WW2 battle rifle, the Germans also used captured SVT40's. In the USA alone we had the M1903 ( early war USMC) and the Garand, 1941 Johnson, the carbine, the Germans used everything, the Japanese the type 38 and 99 for their primary rifles, you have a long way to go.

[ksbanker]

JYD,

I'm sure this is a silly question...but do you have a 1941 Johnson you would like to show us??

[Junk Yard Dog]

Had one for about six months, traded it for a pile of rifles that are today worth a serious amount of money. I thought it clumsy, heavy, and not particularly user friendly. It's no wonder only the USMC used it and not widely at that. There were five Enfields in that pile, at least two 03A3's, the IHC Garand, some other good stuff.

[Longcolt44]

At the OGCA show a few months ago there were two Johnson's for sale. They were both in the low five thousands. They had a lot of tire kickers but I didn't see them sell.

[Greasemonkey]

Had one for about six months, traded it for a pile of rifles that are today worth a serious amount of money. I thought it clumsy, heavy, and not particularly user friendly. It's no wonder only the USMC used it and not widely at that. There were five Enfields in that pile, at least two 03A3's, the IHC Garand, some other good stuff.

I would probably trade my Johnson I'm talking about the rifle of course, for that pile of rifles

[Junk Yard Dog]

At the time, and this is the mid 90's I wanted five large for it. I figure if today I sold all that I traded for it I would see eight, maybe nine large so I did OK. Guy was a dealer so I just walked down his racks saying that one, this one, all of those, and that, that thing over there also, and both of these, whatever that is up there, and this too. That was kinda fun, loaded the back of my '83 Caprice wagon.

[Screwball]

Different gun designs... if it is a surplus gun, all the better.

Shotgun wise, I have modern reproductions of the 1887/1901 and 1897. My home defense shotgun is an 870 Police, but I have an Ithaca 87 (just a 37 with a different name) as a backup to it. Have my hunting 11-87s (one field gun, one slug gun), a pistol grip JIC 500, a Mossberg SRII (for trap), and a KelTec KSG.

Pistol wise, I have the generic Nagant revolver and a Yugo Tokarev (picked both up right after the Newtown shooting... at a non outrageous price). Beretta 92 Brigadier Inox (first pistol I purchased) and 9mm PX4. The CZ SP-01 was my first CZ75... and was very happy with it. Few conceal carry guns, but also a few odd guns (NAA Sidewinder). Ruger New Vaquero for my SAA clone, but with a .45 ACP cylinder. SR1911 for my 1911, SIG P228, and S&W 1006But I have a few odds and ends for them... SGS remake compensator for my 92, 15 round FBI 10mm magazine, and 9mm cylinder for my S&W 642-1. But the one handgun I'll never sell is my 6" 629-1. Was given to me by my father, and is probably one of the most accurate pistols I've ever shot.

My rifle collection... tried to get the notable rifles in US history. Had a friend of the family that had a relative died unexpectedly, and gave me a Springfield Trapdoor carbine. It looks like someone rebuilt it with a cut-down rifle stock, had a M1903 sight on it... but had a correct old one with it. Worst thing... refinished the rifle. Probably would have been worth a hell of a lot more, because it looks to be a correct carbine... and Custer era. He also had a Ruger .44 carbine (tube fed), and an Ishapore 2A1. Have a M1903, Garand (Shuff rebuilt it, but a Century build on a Lithgow receiver... which is sound), N/M M1A, and a four variations of AR. My current build is an A2/A3 clone... which I'm almost done with the lower.

Have a Yugo SKS (M59/66A1) and a M48A Mauser. Very well made rifles. Was considering selling the SKS (also have a WASR for my AK itch), but decided I liked the design too much... plus I got a training rifle grenade and a bunch of blanks. [emoji41] Have a Uberti 1860 Henry steel frame, which is a beautiful rifle. Of course, have my Mosin Nagants; PU sniper and the newly acquired M38. Do have a Glenfield .30-30, and need to get rings for my Remington Model 7 (.308) to turn it into my longish range precision rifle.

.22 wise, I have a 10/22 Takedown, GSG-5, Marlin 60, and a Spikes .22 upper. But definitely love my pistol caliber carbines... have a 9mm CX4, .45 D/I AR, and just recently got a SUB-2000 in .40 (to pair with my 5" M&P40 Pro). Add in the Ruger .44 and Uberti (.45 Colt), and I have a pretty well rounded collection.

If I do get anything else, it will be later on. I'm considering a major career change, and possible move... which will be in a pro-gun state. If that is the case, C&R license and definitely some different tax stamps (SBR, if suppressors go off NFA).

[King Johhny]

5 rifles? The SVT40 is also a WW2 battle rifle, the Germans also used captured SVT40's. In the USA alone we had the M1903 ( early war USMC) and the Garand, 1941 Johnson, the carbine, the Germans used everything, the Japanese the type 38 and 99 for their primary rifles, you have a long way to go.

JYD, I meant the standard issue service rifle like the K98 or M1. I'm a student so finances are my biggest problem, maybe someone has a SVT40 I can put on layaway from them?


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[capt14k]

At the time, and this is the mid 90's I wanted five large for it. I figure if today I sold all that I traded for it I would see eight, maybe nine large so I did OK. Guy was a dealer so I just walked down his racks saying that one, this one, all of those, and that, that thing over there also, and both of these, whatever that is up there, and this too. That was kinda fun, loaded the back of my '83 Caprice wagon.

Being the Johnson was work $5k then it was a good deal. In that case Johnson has just kept up with the rate of inflation possibly even lagged behind it. Based on prices today and depending on the condition of the Johnson it could be an equal deal by today's value. Seen a Johnson recently fetch $8,000. Have also seen them sell for $5,000. However $5,000 in 1995 is like $8,000 today.

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[capt14k]

5 rifles? The SVT40 is also a WW2 battle rifle, the Germans also used captured SVT40's. In the USA alone we had the M1903 ( early war USMC) and the Garand, 1941 Johnson, the carbine, the Germans used everything, the Japanese the type 38 and 99 for their primary rifles, you have a long way to go.

JYD, I meant the standard issue service rifle like the K98 or M1. I'm a student so finances are my biggest problem, maybe someone has a SVT40 I can put on layaway from them?


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I started off the same way. Figuring I would just get the major powers bolt rifles.

For the US it would be the M1917 or 03A3

Russia 91/30

UK No1Mk4

French Berthier or Lebel I prefer pre-war MAS-36

Germany K98k

Italy Carcano 91/38

Japan Arisaka T99

Finland M39

Australia No1MkIII

Austria, Hungary, & Bulgaria Mannlicher M1895

Canada Ross Rifle just to be different but Long Branch No4Mk1 or MkI* would fit the bill as well.

Czech & Slovak Republic & Romania vz24

China Type 24 Mauser

Poland wz29

Norway Krag

Lithuania M24L Mauser

Yugo M24

Belgium M1889

Swedish M38

Swiss K31

I'm sure I missed some but that gives you 20 rifles many that can still bought relatively cheap ($200-500) of course there are some outliers.



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[Junk Yard Dog]

I ended up with that rifle because of blow, a damn fool who got in deep using the shit had to sell his collection to pay the lawyers after he got busted, and it would be a felony conviction anyway so it all had to go. I didn't want that rifle, never cared much for them and they don't "speak" to me but it was an all or nothing deal so I ended up with it. Broken down I had around a grand in it, the deal was there was a dealer who assured me he would buy it once I had it. I was spending a shitload of money to buy that collection for particular rifles I wanted and had arranged in advance to sell some so I wouldn't be eating dog food for a year afterward. No sooner do I own it than said dealer gets busted for selling a machine gun under the table and loses his FFL and his freedom. I ended up selling some other non firearm things and a year later made a deal with another dealer who made the mistake of indicating how badly he wanted that rifle before the sale was finalized. Word to the wise, never open a sales negotiation if you are the buyer with " oh man, I have always wanted one of these" That just doubled what I was going to ask for it, and the trade gave me more than a cash deal would have. In the end he realized a lifelong dream and I got a pile of rifles that if I sold them now would buy that Johnson at least twice. Just remember how many milsurps five grand would buy almost 30 years ago at a time when M1 carbines could be had for $125

[Cj556]

I collect smokeless powder military rifles from about 1886 till the 1950s. Have collected Enfields, then Mosins and Im turning towards Mausers now hopefully will pick up a few Krags along the way. I dont really particularly set out to buy anything but always have a mental list and if I run across a gun I want in decent shape at the right price Ill buy it. Hooping to add a 86/93 Lebel, Gew98M, matching K98k and Ross MKIII over the next year.

[burb1989]

Well as far as rifles and pistols go I already have a substantial amount of them that I don't know if I can name all of them off the top of my head by I can try:
French:
French Gras rifle manufactured 1875 (bring back from my great grandfather in ww1)
Indochinois Berthier manufactured 1926 (Vietnam bringback)
Model 1890 berthier carbine fully upgraded to mle 16 specs (another Vietnam bringback)
German:
Model 1871 mauser upgraded in Uruguay, manufactured in 1879
Model 1871/84 manufactured in 1888
Model 1888 Commission rifle manufactured by Steyr in 1894
Gew 98 rifle manufactured in 1917
CE 41 K98 mauser sent home by my great uncle during ww2
BNZ 42 K98 mauser that had been refinished
British:
Lithgow No1 Mk3* Enfield manufactured in 1942 (ww2 bringback thanks of my grandfather's best friend)
Ishapore No1 Mk3* Enfield manufactured in 1953 (still in 303 caliber)
1942 Long Branch No4 Mk1* Enfield
1950 Long Branch No4 Mk1*
1945 Fazakerly No5 Mk1 Jungle Carbine
Japanese:
Type 30 rifle made in the late 1890s-early 1900s
No series Koshikawa Type 38 rifle made in 1915
Series 23 Kokura Type 38 rifle made sometime in the 30s
Series 2 Kokura Type 38 carbine made sometime in the 30s
Series 4 Nagoya Type 38 carbine made sometime in the 30s
No series Nagoya Type 99 short rifle made sometime during initial production of type 99s
Series 23 Kokura Type 99 short rifle made around 1942
Series 24 Kokura Type 99 short rifle made around 1943
Series 7 Nagoya Type 99 short rifle made around 1944
Series 40 Jinsen Type 99 short rifle made around late 1944-early 1945
18.11 dated Type 94 Nambu pistol brought home by one of my great uncles from Burma during ww2
Italian:
Model 1871/87/15 Vetterli Vitali that was brought home from ww1 by one of my ancestors
Model 91/28 Carcano carbine made in 1929 (ww2 bringback from Sicily campaign)
Austrian:
Model 1895 Steyr carbine made in 1917
Vietnamese:
Crude copy of a Hanyang 88 rifle captured in Vietnam during the war
US:
Remington Model 1903 manufactured in 1942
HRA M1 Garand manufactured in 1955

That's all I can think of at the moment sadly. I also dabble a bit with taking care of an antique car my parents gave me for graduating college on my first try: a 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang Coupe that is mostly original aside from a paint color change, a replaced radio and transmission, and some patch work with the original leather.

[Joekopec1]

Milsurps
1925 ex dragoon mosin (counterbore)
3 Swiss k31s
Other: 1945 Winchester model 94
O-pap m70

Currently looking at other Swiss rifles and for some reason I like the m95 carbines