Rebalancing my Portfolio

majspud

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Gave up on recollecting the 10 WW2 makes of K98s. Decided instead that my downsized collection would be better served by reacquiring some of the interesting curios and relics I had to let go of over the last two years. Keeping 3 K98s and selling/sold 4.

The first "come back" is this spring 1944 Chicopee, MA, made Savage Enfield No. 4. Bolt and receiver match. Repair on top of stock by butt. Only non Savage part is the magazine. Added a sling and butt kit. Will get a bayonet for it. Butt kit is in there but not visible in the shadow.

Three other pieces in negotiations.

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Savage bayonet, scabbard, and 1945 frog came today to finish off the Savage Enfield. Will post the second acquisition tonight.

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Reacquisition #2...1944 M35 Beretta in 7,65mm/.32acp. Late 1944, parkerized finish, made under German occupation of Italy, 4UT acceptance. German delivery started about SN 509K in March with a blue finish. Parkerized finish began around SN 520K. SN 571K; production ceased at 618K. Very late pieces left the factory with no finish. Production resumed after the war and continued until 1980. Came with 1 flat base magazine. I had a no finish magazine with pinky grip and swapped it over. Have another pinky rest magazine coming. A hit with a black Sharpie covered the chipped paint.

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Entry #3. 1927 VZ24 as modified by the VZ24 rework depot at BRNO (e/607). Now is that cool or what? Rifle metal matches, bolt matches self, stock matches neither. Original sling and muzzle cover. Bore is absolutely gorgeous.

Can't take good pics or do much as I've been home from surgery for an hour.

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What up with the beretta T? You complained about the lanyard loop for lefties. . .
 
The weaker .32 didn’t bother me as opposed to the .380. I used to have a 1939 papered Air Force marked bring back. Besides I really like the type. Figured a good compromise

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The last re-acquisition funded by the K98 sales or trades; a 1940 Terni M38 Carcano in 6.5mm. I am Italian after all. Lightly used, matched receiver and stock, and brilliant bore. This is the type with the folding bayonet that costs almost as much as the rifle. Three piece cleaning rod stores in the butt stock; I have no accessories yet.

So I'm done re-balancing my collection for now. At some point I'll go after a T99.

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I figured if they want $85 on eBay for an original WW2 Italian made (under license) K98 sling for the Carcano, I could just use one of my original German ones. Photo was bunny-bombed. Actually she is waiting for me to open the doors to the home made bunny box that I closed to take the picture.

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I have the triple cleaning rods coming for the butt stock to complete it.

I am paying him for it, but only about 1/3 market value. He was happy to see it reunited with a rifle.

t
 
Reacquisition #2...1944 M35 Beretta in 7,65mm/.32acp. Late 1944, parkerized finish, made under German occupation of Italy, 4UT acceptance. German delivery started about SN 509K in March with a blue finish. Parkerized finish began around SN 520K. SN 571K; production ceased at 618K. Very late pieces left the factory with no finish. Production resumed after the war and continued until 1980. Came with 1 flat base magazine. I had a no finish magazine with pinky grip and swapped it over. Have another pinky rest magazine coming. A hit with a black Sharpie covered the chipped paint.

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Very similar to my 1934 Beretta in .380ACP, Marked RE (Regio Escrito = Royal Army). I bought it with 2 original pinky grip magazines. Very nice, clean condition with the "Plum color" slide. I found another magazine with the pinky grip, at the Sturbridge show in January, but its newer and maybe not made by Beretta.
 
When I was in the closet looking for the competition swag, I scrounged a box of Carcano ammo, and tried to cycle a couple of strippers. Neither of two tries got all 6, with one FTF somewhere in the clip. I also have zero strength in my right arm from surgery. Previous owner never fired it....so maybe it needs a little action like the Beretta did.

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Traded with a friend of mine....my Walther PPk/S for this

Late 1943 Toyo Kogyo (Hiroshima) T99. Matched, scrubbed mum, brilliant bore, original stock varnish (little bit of newspaper still stuck there), original stake marks in screws. Soft iron butt plate, adjustable rear sight but no AA wings nor monopod, no chrome lining, speed-milled bolt knob, and smoothed, but non-milled bolt safety/take down. So not last ditch, but some changes have begun to appear. 2.03 million Tokyo bayonet, probably WWI with contoured handle.

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Carcano complete; sling, bayonet, 3 cleaning rods in the butt trap. The little door is open, but hidden by the gap in the floor.

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Added a second rack and moved the cabinet into the closet. The old rack is full with Axis arms; this is the Allied rack. Seems a little empty. One slot reserved for a Danish Krag, the other, who knows? Another Garand.....another carbine.....an 03A3....no money yet.

New Bunny....little George (Netherland Dwarf born 1/28/18; just got the "snip")....acclimation process underway. Also got another bunny last week; Giovanni (Lion head, born 5/22/18; already snipped). He's almost acclimated.

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What a dog...woof...woof. No wonder the Italians lost the war. Non adjustable rear sight is 2 feet high at 100 yards. Shot 6x6 clips of PPU FMJ, 85F, no breeze, HOT. Did ring the gong 5/7 times.

I had 3 1939 clips...only 1 jam. Otherwise cycled and functioned fine. Also single action; hate single action.

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