Until yesterday, every gun in my safe was black and none were older than I am. I say this as a confession, not as something to brag about. On Sunday, I packed up my wife and kid, and took a drive to Collectible Arms & Ammo. I had my eye on a new AK and a case of 5.56 at a reasonable price and none of the otherwise obligatory contributions to Martha's office.
What I left with was a Mosin (a 1933 Tula Hex), a spam can, and a renewed interest in Russian history.
I have never been more excited after buying a gun. I don't think I was this excited when I bought my first one, and I was up way too late trying to decipher all the proof marks, stamps and other marks on the rifle. Now, I know that what I have is not a priceless antique. It's a shooter for sure. But, it's a connection to the past. To think about what this rifle has seen since 1933; to hold a piece of history that someone once depended on for his life is almost overwhelming. It's armory reconditioned...so, I can't help but wonder, what condition was it in when it came back to the armory? Why was it reconditioned? Was it on a font line somewhere, back in the rear, or did it spend its life in a warehouse?
Unfortunately, I learned the basics of Mosin selection after the fact, so I got lucky in some places, but there are a few issues that I know to avoid next time. But, I wasn't disappointed by the "cons". I was almost glad they were there, and happy for the opportunity to try again. This morning, I was thinking about the Mauser I almost bought instead. Or how for some reason, I NEED a Garand now.
I doubt one old rifle makes me an addict yet, but at some point, I think I'm going to need a bigger safe.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go wipe cosmoline off stuff.
What I left with was a Mosin (a 1933 Tula Hex), a spam can, and a renewed interest in Russian history.
I have never been more excited after buying a gun. I don't think I was this excited when I bought my first one, and I was up way too late trying to decipher all the proof marks, stamps and other marks on the rifle. Now, I know that what I have is not a priceless antique. It's a shooter for sure. But, it's a connection to the past. To think about what this rifle has seen since 1933; to hold a piece of history that someone once depended on for his life is almost overwhelming. It's armory reconditioned...so, I can't help but wonder, what condition was it in when it came back to the armory? Why was it reconditioned? Was it on a font line somewhere, back in the rear, or did it spend its life in a warehouse?
Unfortunately, I learned the basics of Mosin selection after the fact, so I got lucky in some places, but there are a few issues that I know to avoid next time. But, I wasn't disappointed by the "cons". I was almost glad they were there, and happy for the opportunity to try again. This morning, I was thinking about the Mauser I almost bought instead. Or how for some reason, I NEED a Garand now.
I doubt one old rifle makes me an addict yet, but at some point, I think I'm going to need a bigger safe.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go wipe cosmoline off stuff.