DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
Before I got into collecting inert ordnance, I accumulated a massive military firearms collection containg over 200 specimens dating from 1822 to current day.
Durring my collecting, I enjoyed reading about the availibility of military firearms; today vurses the past.
For example, there was a time when folks could walk into an everyday small town hardware store and walk out with a mint condition surplus rifle in which a few dollars were paid, vurses hundreds of dollars today's market.
I have seen images of mail order catalogues distributed by large national retail chains with the aforementioned included, also for a fraction of the cost in which examples would be paid for today.
You could visit a gun store or a gun show and there would be tables overflowing with a variety of old military rifles that no one wanted, with prices reflecting that disposition. I was lucky to start collecting early enough to experience the tail end of this; picking up dozens of my rifles for 1/3 of what they go for today.
I have been into ordnance for only several years, and I grow ill when I think of how many awesome pieces I passed on a weekly bases with my collecting radar completley focuses on rifles; since 1998.
I know I visited countless surplus stores looking for rifles. I remember seeing ordnance, and also paying no mind.
Assuming the history and/or market for inert ordnance was similar to that of surplus military firearms, what was it like being a inert ordnance collector back in the golden days?
40 years ago or 10; I would love to here some stories.
Durring my collecting, I enjoyed reading about the availibility of military firearms; today vurses the past.
For example, there was a time when folks could walk into an everyday small town hardware store and walk out with a mint condition surplus rifle in which a few dollars were paid, vurses hundreds of dollars today's market.
I have seen images of mail order catalogues distributed by large national retail chains with the aforementioned included, also for a fraction of the cost in which examples would be paid for today.
You could visit a gun store or a gun show and there would be tables overflowing with a variety of old military rifles that no one wanted, with prices reflecting that disposition. I was lucky to start collecting early enough to experience the tail end of this; picking up dozens of my rifles for 1/3 of what they go for today.
I have been into ordnance for only several years, and I grow ill when I think of how many awesome pieces I passed on a weekly bases with my collecting radar completley focuses on rifles; since 1998.
I know I visited countless surplus stores looking for rifles. I remember seeing ordnance, and also paying no mind.
Assuming the history and/or market for inert ordnance was similar to that of surplus military firearms, what was it like being a inert ordnance collector back in the golden days?
40 years ago or 10; I would love to here some stories.
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