Don't Hate Me Because I Have This

[lencac]

Hi Guys:
Ok, I admit I've been holding back for a while now but I'm going to let the cat out of the bag

Here's some pic of my latest deal. I know most of you will know what this is but for those of you who don't here's the rundown.

This is an unissued, unfired, 100% pristine Swiss K-31. It is completely numbers matching manufactured in 1951. It features unblemished, unmarked (except for the armorer's Swiss stamp), undinged stock with a deep reddish hue. There is no tag under the buttplate which again indicates it has never been issued. The bolt face shows no signs of firing. The bore produced zero evidence of powder or copper fouling. The bolt sleeve and magazine follower shows zero signs of even being cycled.

I just received the Swiss Products adjustable diopter sights today. It took all of five minutes to mount.
Brand new sling.

I couldn't help but show off a little bit

The question is this: I have another very nice K-31 to shoot. Should I shoot this one or leave it a virgin?

 

[lencac]

few more pics

 

[I6turbo]

Beautiful. Unless there are compelling financial considerations, I'd definitely shoot it. I've learned over the years that saving stuff for people who may own it after you do doesn't make sense UNLESS there's a substantial financial reward.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I'd put it in an equally beautiful locked display case, with some vintage ammo. But then again, it sure would be tempting to shoot!

Edit: ok, maybe shoot it once on special occasions..... like an anniversary, or birthday, or Alabama winning their third-in-a-row national championship..... RTR!!

 

[taliv]

so how's it shoot?

haha

it's a gun. shoot it.

 

[FullEffect1911]

I am going to go out on a limb and say you have other similar rifles to shoot?

I would probably display it as P.B. Walsh mentioned. Beautiful rifle!

 

[Djay]

That Swiss fire stick is beautiful!

Personally I would enjoy it at a shooting range but would hesitate to take it such places as on a heavy brush woods walk.

 

[jobu07]

Beautiful specimen. I would fire it on occasion and fire the other K31s you have more frequently. No point in not enjoying it both on and off the range.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Nice gun.
But what are the things that look like electrical sockets?

 

[Redlg155]

Although unissued is very nice, most of the mystique and charm of a milsurp weapon is wondering where it has travelled. It would have been neat to find the previous owners name under the the buttstock.

I'd shoot it. Unissued is easier to prove than unfired. Unfired would be a hard sell yo a collector.

 

[jobu07]

But what are the things that look like electrical sockets?

Looks like a surge protector behind the rifle that appears to be part of it.

 

[Liberty1776]

lencac -

sorry, didn't work. I still hate you...

 

[lencac]

Bushmaster you do have a keen eye for the obvious
Jobu07 is correct. That's the surge protector on my work bench.
Redlg you are right. Unissued is one thing but unfired is a determination made from being like the little indian boy ........ always looking for signs which I am pretty good at.
I'm sure it was at minimum test fired but beyond that I'm looking at places where even just cycling the action would leave marks, or the bolt face or powder or copper fouling. There is always tell tail signs a rifle has been fired no matter how good it's cleaned. I see none of those signs.
It pained me to even open the action for inspection. I have acquired an extra unserial numbered bolt sleeve and bolt plug for use should I decide to shoot it.

 

[lencac]

Liberty ................ XOXOXOX

 

[CB900F]

Lencac;

The comment was made that there's no reason not to fire it: "I've learned over the years that saving stuff for people who may own it after you do doesn't make sense UNLESS there's a substantial financial reward."

So what are the possibilities for that reward? What is your personal downside if you don't shoot it? Since you apparantly have other examples of the same gun, I don't see a personal downside unless you simply have a psychological need to take the new off it. OTOH, they aren't making them anymore, so how many unfired specimens now exist? That may not be known, but I'd think it reasonable to presume that there aren't very many. And what enhances value he rhetorically asked? Why rarity of course.

Therefore, if you want to see that substantial financial reward it behooves you to find out the best way to market your little treasure. Which is not to say that it should be sold in the immediate future, not at all. For all you know, it may very well appreciate quite nicely over time. But, when the time comes to reap the reward it's good to have the means & method at hand. Therefore, depending on your circumstances, I'd probably hold it & simply admire it for what it is for as long as you care to. But if you should, God forbid drop dead next month, put down for the executor of your estate the way to provide your heirs with the most from it.

And, by the way, I'm taking my own advice on this very same subject.

900F

 

[Edarnold]

Congratulations! Among the faithful that rifle would bring a substantial premium right now, much less in five or ten years. I have one in similar condition, but by a different route. The serial number says it was made in the late 1930's, then rebuilt in 1957 (stamped on the tang). Since the StG58 was coming into issue, this one also was never issued: perfect bluing including the butt plate, even the magazine follower showed no brass rubbing. A few dings in the stock that didn't come out when refinished, but obviously way beyond the usual.

I've put a few rounds through it, but my main K31 shooting has been with two less-pristine guns that are just as accurate. I understand your reluctance put any wear on a rifle as flawless as yours, I think I would have to make it a safe-Queen.

 

[Mp7]

May one ask how much?

(Love it. me thinks the Luger 08 and the K31 are machining art
that can`t be paid for in these times.)

 

[Reloadron]

Choot it! Put boolits in it and choot it!

Ron

 

[bannockburn]

I have to agree with the line of thought that says: it's a gun so it's meant to be used. To me it would be like owning a Ferrari and not driving it.

 

[Armor Snail]

Shoot very seldom on selective occasions.

 

[chicharrones]

I couldn't help but show off a little bit

That's a beauty! Congrats!

The question is this: I have another very nice K-31 to shoot. Should I shoot this one or leave it a virgin?

I'd shoot the K31 you have already fired and leave the new-to-you unfired K31 a virgin. If it hasn't been fired since 1951, might as well see if you (or someone else) can wait 'til 2051. That's what I'd do if I were in that situation.

 

[Manny]

I couldn't and wouldn't own a weapon I wouldn't shoot. To me the marks of honest wear add rather than detract from the beauty and appeal. To me a gun is a working tool with a purpose and sitting in a safe unfired is not that purpose. I like Gun writer Mike Venturino's take on the subject. Hs has a high grade Sharps rifle with extra fancy wood and many other upscale options that in many hands would be a safe queen. In his hands it's a regularly fired match rifle for his beloved shooting sport of choice, black powder silhouette. It shows the wear of honest use and the scars of a mishap or two. And he has had great joy and satisfaction in using that fine rifle for work it was designed for. To me and Mr V, the patina of age and use beats the unblemished beauty of new. YMMV.

 

[On An Island]

Beautiful rifle. Are the two lurking in the background of pic #7 your other K-31's?

 

[Scoped]

This thread is not even fair.. I'm way too jealous

 

[ball3006]

I would never shoot it. I have an unfired unissued Enfield No4 Mk2 that I will never shoot. I paid 200 for it a few years ago and saw two at a gun show last week for 900 bucks. I have others to fill my shooting needs.....chris3