Some time back, at a gun show, I chatted with a young guy about old military rifles. When he mentioned that he had quite a few older French pieces, I indicated that if he ever wanted to part with any that were of WWI vintage he should give me a call. It paid dividends yesterday when he got in touch with me and let me know that he was preparing to sell off a Berthier Mle. 07/15 M16 and a Berthier Mousqueton d'Artillerie Mle. M. 16, along with some ammo and some once-fired brass. I asked if he'd take a Spanish Oviedo Mo. 1893 and a small amount of cash for the pair. He seemed stoked about the idea.
If all goes well, I'll be an octagonal-receivered Mosin and an uncut M.95 Steyr-Mannlicher away from having an example of the issue longarm of every major combatant in WWI and WWII. W00t!
Damn! cudos.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I don't understand the whole collection thing, but then my mother was a collector... not guns, dolls and toy stoves.
ReplyDeleteI get the impression that yours are in safes and not on display - not that I think the collection at Argghhh! makes more sense.
I think I'll shoot for WW II first, but I have a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteNice thing about French mil-surp is that most have never been fired !! Dropped once, maybe.
ReplyDeleteLoL
LOL @ treefroggy.
ReplyDeleteGood on you, Tam!
Once you have your collection complete, would you seriously consider my marriage proposal? If it makes you feel a little better, I'm only in it for the guns.
ReplyDeleteI would, but they wouldn't let all the guns into Oz. :)
ReplyDeletecan I assume that you have a ross rifle in military trim? Would you feel incomplete having only a 280 and not a 303 conversion?
ReplyDelete