I'd like to think of myself as a collector. Finns and Mausers and Enfields in long guns; older Berettas, S&W, Star in pistols. Plus some others. Plus some plastic guns as well.
But, and there's two buts, 1) I can't really afford complete collections or prize specimens and 2) I got nobody to show it off to. And that's the real problem.
For instance, I decided I could afford some limited runs of pistols...like a P38/P1, Beretta 1951, 92S and 92FS to show the evolution of Beretta's best known pistol. Or one of each generation of S&W 39s and 59s. Not in pristine shape, but in decent shape and very good shooters. I did the same with Stars...from the B to the UltraStar.
I really like what I have and I shoot 'em as much as possible.
But here's my frustration: there's no way to display or show off my "collection" or accumulation, depending on how you define those words.
In today's world, having them in the house, in a show case or hanging on the wall like in the old days, with maybe some other artifacts from the time periods, is out of the question. They are in the safe, locked away and I really don't even talk about them too much unless its with other gun people.
There's a lot of history in a P14 Enfield, or Finn M30 or 1916 Mauser. But it doesn't seem prudent to share that history, and the opportunity to share it seems no longer available.
I used to "teach" the American War of Independence in local schools as my wife and I both reenacted the Revolution for about 10 years. I'd take my whole kit into the class and the kids could see what it was like to be a soldier of the King or rebel circa 1778. Not any more. The idea of bringing a Brown Bess into a school, or a bayonet, hanger, naval boarding ax, sailor's pike or even a folding soldier's knife died. And so now the kids just get to read a book or watch an excerpt from "The Patriot" (a terrible and really incorrect depiction of the AWI.)
Anyone else share my frustration. Not with not being rich enough to buy first model single action Colts (I don't do Colts) or Singer 1911's, but with not being able to share the hobby. Or is this just my problem and others have figured out a way to display?
But, and there's two buts, 1) I can't really afford complete collections or prize specimens and 2) I got nobody to show it off to. And that's the real problem.
For instance, I decided I could afford some limited runs of pistols...like a P38/P1, Beretta 1951, 92S and 92FS to show the evolution of Beretta's best known pistol. Or one of each generation of S&W 39s and 59s. Not in pristine shape, but in decent shape and very good shooters. I did the same with Stars...from the B to the UltraStar.
I really like what I have and I shoot 'em as much as possible.
But here's my frustration: there's no way to display or show off my "collection" or accumulation, depending on how you define those words.
In today's world, having them in the house, in a show case or hanging on the wall like in the old days, with maybe some other artifacts from the time periods, is out of the question. They are in the safe, locked away and I really don't even talk about them too much unless its with other gun people.
There's a lot of history in a P14 Enfield, or Finn M30 or 1916 Mauser. But it doesn't seem prudent to share that history, and the opportunity to share it seems no longer available.
I used to "teach" the American War of Independence in local schools as my wife and I both reenacted the Revolution for about 10 years. I'd take my whole kit into the class and the kids could see what it was like to be a soldier of the King or rebel circa 1778. Not any more. The idea of bringing a Brown Bess into a school, or a bayonet, hanger, naval boarding ax, sailor's pike or even a folding soldier's knife died. And so now the kids just get to read a book or watch an excerpt from "The Patriot" (a terrible and really incorrect depiction of the AWI.)
Anyone else share my frustration. Not with not being rich enough to buy first model single action Colts (I don't do Colts) or Singer 1911's, but with not being able to share the hobby. Or is this just my problem and others have figured out a way to display?